Thursday January 20, 2011

We woke up early today. Dave and I were excited as this was the day that the part was scheduled to arrive here in the Bahamas via Fed Ex. Dave checked the tracking number on the Internet. The package was refused by Fed Ex because the international paperwork was not filled out properly from the supplier sending us the part. So it was a tough day. The temperature was in the high 70’s and it was a sunny sky. Should we hang out on the beach or take the bus into Freeport. The beach won out. This was a lazy day. We did ride the pretty yellow bikes into town to purchase a bottle of local rum.

The highlight of the day was the conch chowder I made. One of the cooks at the beach restaurant gave me the spices. The cooks name is Jessie. She told me that I needed to pound the conch with a hammer before cooking. I do not have a hammer on board, however, I do have a hatchet. I got out a small piece of SOS and cleaned the hatched. Once the hatchet was clean, I put the conch on the cutting board and put the cutting board on the dock and smash the conch. The first hit was not direct and the conch that I was hoping to flatten slid off the dock and into the water. It was gone in the wink of an eye. From that point on I did not hit the conch with such force. I hit is gently. This tenderized the conch. I then chopped up and onion and a potatoe and put in the spices that were given to me. There were 2 really small hot peppers in the chowder kit I was given. I should have used only one of the hot peppers. Dave and I were both sweating after eating the chowder. We both liked it.

It was also a sad day as Dave announced that he was going to have to fly back to the USA tomorrow. He needs to be back in Ann Arbor on Sunday. He did not get me to the Sea of Abacos as hoped, however he did get me over the Gulf Stream and across the Atlantic Ocean which was the most dangerous part of the trip.

I was hoping that cousin Andy would be able to join me for part of the trip. After talking with him today I know that he will be helping his mother who is very ill and not expected to live much longer. I hope she recovers. Andy will have to stay in Royal Oak for the immediate future.

Dave and I thought our crossing of the Gulf Stream was difficult. At least the last 5 miles. WE met some folks that cam 2 days after our crossing. They hit bad weather and faced 14 foot waves. Then their motor died and they had to be towed in to West End. They drifted back into the Gulf Stream when their engine died.. From their stories it made our crossing look like a walk in the park on a summer day.