It has been a while since we posted on our our blog, we promise we will do better.
To say the past couple of months have been busy would be an understatetment. We, along with the Smith family, left
South Africa and sailed Private Island accross the Atlantic ocean, with a stop in Saint Helena, and another stop on an Island off the coast of Brazil (Fernando do Naronha). From there we sailed up to Grenada. In Grenada, the Smith family headed home and we added two new crew members. The first was Judy Nelson, an old friend and regular at our neighborhood bar in San Diego. Judy brought along, Gary Clark, a childhood friend from Massachusetts. After a short delay in Grenada, the four of us sailed the boat up through the Carribean and into Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Caribbean leg was amazing. Luckily, since we fell down on the blogging/video job, Gary picked up our slack and wrote an epic poem (see the end of this post), which decsribes our journey .
The journey from South Africa was definitely a “bucket list” adventure. However, somewhere along the way between South Africa and Fort Luaderdale; Bonnie and I came to a realization…While we enjoy being on boats and island hopping around the Carribbean; ocean crossings are just not our thing. Since sailing the boat to different destinations (ie: Atlantic to the Mediterraean, and back) was a major portion of the gig on Private Island, we have resigned our commision as crew and moved back onto land.
Before we even left the boat, our schedule starting filling up. We went to meet up with friends
in Las Vegas and San Diego (many thanks for Van and 
Christopher for opening their home to us again!)
And then to Victoria, British Columbia for a housesit with an adorable labradoodle
named Chutney
Now we are doing a house sit in New York city with two very playful cats
.
From here, we are off to Europe, starting with Spain.
Watch this space to keep up with our crazy life…..
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A Long Starboard Tack On The “Private Island”
By Gary Clark
She called out of the blue
And said How-Do-You-Do
It’s kind of sudden and maybe rude
But you once told me you’d work for food
Not rude at all
For a trip like this
A sail up the leewards
Is more like bliss
A California Girl
A Captain and his wife
We land in Grenada
And begin our new life
The quick trip to the “Private Island”
A yacht beyond compare
She’ll take you around the world
But only if you dare
Port engine is giving us trouble
Twice we were on our way
But it’s back to the Marina we go
Hopefully just for a day
Third time is a charm
We head for Prickley Bay
Fill her up with fuel
And we’re finally on our way
Day after day
Night after night
Our Journey is long
But our course is right
The seas have been huge
The ride has been tough
But we’re a strong crew
And no one has made a fuss
We’re all very tired
But nobody is breakin’
Tonight in Puerto Rico
The drinks will be shaken
We anchor in a cove in P.R.
Enjoy an amazing meal from Brazil
We leave in the morning
For three days with not much of a thrill
More of the same
As we march on
Next stop Grand Turk
Some time after dawn
Two days on the hook
Rejected by Grand Turk
Covid rules are a pain
And the Dock Man is a jerk
We pull up to the dock for fuel
The men tie us up with glee
But when we go to leave
They want a hundo to set us free
They see the fancy yacht
With stars in their eyes
But we won’t be held hostage
By low life dock flies
I climb up on the dock
And set us free
Captain George backs her out
Without paying the fee
As the boat glides by
It’s too far down to make the jump
So I head to the end of the dock
And dive into the water with a big ol’thump
Back to the hook
Some repairs to get done
Two days to Rum Cay
For another night of fun
We head out of Grand Turk
But the winds are light
Too late in the day for Rum Cay
So it is on to Cat Island for the next night
A beautiful cove, a beach of white sand
To the restaurant for drinks and dinner
Caipirinha’s and some new friends
Music and laughs are always a winner
It is so peaceful and relaxing
We enjoy the next day
Next stop the Berry Islands
Thirty three hours away
We land at Great Harbour Cay
My daughter, family and girlfriend to greet us
The owner’s of Soul Fly Lodge
A fly fishing destination that is a MUST
Two days of hugs and love
Young Micah is growing fast
We enjoy the time we have
But we know it is not going to last
The last leg to Florida
Following the pink line
We arrive at Port Everglades
And everything is fine
We navigate the narrow, winding “New River”
Past lots of bridges and boats
It’s a tricky ride but George is a pro
We pull into the Marina and we’re still afloat
George and Bonnie are top notch
They’re just really awesome folks
It’s been a great journey
With many laughs and lots of jokes
Three weeks at sea
Lots of time for reflection
But it’s nice to be home
Now we will all head off in another direction
