January 24, 2012 Long Island

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Okay, it seemed like a weekend day, a perfect day to sleep in and boy did we need it!  All this running Around is catching up to us ole folk.  “Priority” called us and came over for a visit.  That got us motivated and by then we had our two cups of very needed coffee.  Not a planned day where anything was urgent so I cut Fred’s hair and beard.  I didn’t realize just how long it had gotten but he sure did look good after I finished with him.  He said he would cut mine also if I wanted and he specialized in a Mohawk.  I passed.  We took a walk to Thompson Bay Club and on the way did a little shelling since we dinked it to shore to a small beach with a path we wanted to walk.  I found more shells there than any beach so far although there were only three types.  The surprise were all the bright yellow shells I picked up.  Fred found some for me, one set that was a pair, which are rare as they usually get separated along the way.  Then I found an Apple Murex, which are rare.  It’s certainly a keeper.  On the way to see Tryphena, owner of the Club, we passed the fresh well, I believe the only public one on Long Island, and the books say it’s very good water.  Fred drank it but I passed since I somehow contracted campylobacter a few years ago and it nearly killed me and was not willing to get anything like that again.  He said it was very good.  I took his word for it.  Two things I learned today, the rocks I fell on when I left part of my leg on the island is called Iron Rock.  Good name for it.  I also read that locals who live here can hear the ocean rushing through tunnels under their homes which lead people to believe this island is made up of hundreds of tunnels that water from the seas runs though.  That’s about as weird as the Seneca Booms from the ocean we hear in Wilmington, NC.  We finally made it to the Club.  Tryphena gave Fred a great big hug and we sat at the bar and drank a soda and chatted.  We were the only ones there.  She, like me, is a shell collector of “All kinds” and I walked out with two Triton Trumpets and a few other gifts she gave me.  One, a real treasure!  She said she was thinking of having a buffet tomorrow night and asked us if we would come.  “Part” of her buffet menu of true island cuisine are going to be all you can eat...Grouper fingers, Cracked conch, Cracked Lobster, Ribs, Mac and cheese, peas and rice, fried plantains and more.  We are going!  We are also spreading the word and I suggested she announce it today since most boaters take their dinner out to thaw mid morning so this way people can plan ahead.  She did announce it over the radio and had quite a few people call in for reservations.  Since I can eat the lobster here on the islands, I look forward to eating there tomorrow night.  Hope I never get tired of the lobster on these islands.  Here they call them crawfish, and they probably are but the tails are about as big and look like our small lobsters without claws.  Tryphena is a wonderful fun lady and had us laughing pretty much of the time we were there.  She can tell some stories and like all the locals here, loves the company.  I wish people in the US were all like they are here.  You never meet a stranger here.  You would think the people here were your next door neighbor.  We came back to the boat and pulled anchor and moved right in front of Long Island Breeze Resort.  It’s a lot closer and we also need to get gas and water tomorrow.  We hear now that the gas station sells water for .30-.40 cents a gallon and we will probably need 50 gallons to fill out water jugs as well as top off the water tank.  Fred is now looking at no sooner than Sunday leaving and has decided to go to Rum Cay, even though we don’t plan to get in the water for snorkeling, which is pretty amazing there also, we hear.  I also hear there is an occasional shark or two so it suits me just fine having an injured knee.  I would much rather be on the water, than in it.  We dinked it to long Island Breeze to get on the internet and try to post pictures.  I got a few posted, one of Fred’s new haircut and beard trim as swell as one of Casa Mare’ at our new anchorage but I used his camera and the picture came out small.  Next time I go ashore, I will take one with my camera.  I can get a closer shot with my 35 mm digital Canon Rebel.  It’s a bit windy here, the wind generator is blowing away, which is good and we are rocking a bit.  Should be a good night for sleeping.  I want to set the alarm and get up at 4:30 am, hoping it is not cloudy, and see the Southern Cross our friend Rapid Roy from “Gideon” told us about.  Evidently we are in a prime spot to see it extremely close to the Tropic of Cancer.  Probably can’t get a picture as we are constantly rocking but, it is yet another thing I have never seen, and hope to.  My fingers are crossed.  Time clean my wound and then read.  It has been a blessed day for me!