Three Roberts

We are in the cold northern USA (Virginia). The only thing able to entice north is the opportunity to spend a couple weeks with our grandson. His mother is on a trip with her sister and dad leaves on a business trip today, so we get him all to ourselves.

Before Tristan departed we ventured to nearby Fort Eustis for a fun morning at the military transportation museum. In front of one exhibit De Anne captured a picture of  3 men named Robert White  (otherwise known as Merrick, Tristan, and Logan).

Undoubtedly, in a few years I will be the shortest of the three.

De Anne and I are using the same procedure that has served us well since our own children were small. She does all baby care while I save my strength for occasional play time.

Note that the entrance to Fort Eustis is just visible over the fence as De Anne and company enjoy some semi warm weather. 

Summer returns

Temperatures are back to the 80's and we are happy for the return of summer weather. Blog followers are aware of my fetish to take bird pictures, so in keeping with that - here is Henry (the resident Great Blue Heron) sunning himself on the next door neighbor's patio. Since they were on a trip De Anne felt a responsibility to hose it off once Henry left.

Of course these temperatures make beach walking a pleasure. Yesterday we strolled down to review the renovation being done to a local beach house. Several years ago, and on another blog, I documented our stay in this house during two consecutive years when De Anne's sister and sister-in-law rented it and invited us enjoy a week.

I know first hand that this multi-million dollar home was in great shape and well appointed; however, like many beach houses on Longboat Key when the house changes hands - renovations must be made. I assume that even though it would be quicker to tear it down and start over from a construction standpoint, that building on the beach is easier permit-wise if you use the foundation and keep a few exterior walls and call it a remodel.

At least I remember the green chairs in the foreground.

Low Tide

A very low tide attracted us to the coral and rock section of the beach. Stepping carefully across the uneven rocks, not just to preserve wildlife, but also to forestall the need for De Anne to carry me home if I twisted an ankle - we saw small darting fish and a multitude of sea snails.

 Look close - snails find any small crevice they can.

There are bigger creatures just a few more yards out. Our neighbors for the month (Bob and Joyce) were walking the beach when a local Bahamanian man emerged from the water just off our beach with a small barrel of lobsters. Using the time-honored tradition of offering cash, Bob was able to persuade the diver to part with 2 lobsters. They were still alive when I took this shot. Note my rum and coke in the shot to add perspective.

We took the ferry to Port Lucaya and this shot is our condo from the bay.

Calm or Cruise ship day

The cruise ships docking in Freeport land in a commercial port with no beach or shopping near by. Those wanting a Bahamian beach experience are bused (by the hundreds) to our beach. What they get are ample opportunities to ride jet skis, banana boats and paddle boards. An open air restaurant/bar, of epic size, is waiting and hundreds of plastic chairs are neatly lined in the sand facing the ocean.

Our first clue of a cruise ship arrival is about 8:30 am when the beach boys start ferrying around the jet skis. A little after that 4 men start hustling out the chairs - 10 at a time per man. Then the buses start arriving. The first couple days we were here I had wondered at the large, wide round-about at the end of our street. After watching the huge buses coming down our road I wondered no more.

 A calm day, otherwise most of the picture would be white plastic and a few hundred extra people.

About a half mile down our road, at a wide spot in the water-way a flotilla of Canadian sailors has passed up the delights of the yacht club for the simple(inexpensive) life on anchor. 

Sunday Afternoon

We took an early morning beach walk at low tide, stopping to examine the occasional tidal pool when we got to the rocks.

Just a lazy afternoon watching the boats arrive from the mainland. The weather calmed down yesterday and by 2:00 pm the crossing boats started to arrive. The dead give-a-ways are the stern mounted American or Canadian flags and the required yellow quarantine flag attached to a mast stay. The significance of the yellow is to acknowledge the ship has not cleared customs upon entering the country and only the captain may step ashore to clear crew and boat.

A couple examples:

Heavy weather

The past couple days have been cloudy and windy; however, checking the weather report at home showed huge downpours, high winds and a few tornadoes. Combine that with Freeport temperatures 10 to 15 degrees higher than home makes us happy to be here.

 The seriousness of the coming weather was heralded by the commercial fishing boats coming into the bay and the lack of pleasure boat traffic leaving the bay. Even the ferry quit running yesterday afternoon. I am glad we were not waiting at ferry dock on the other side of the bay.

After a couple bus rides to the grocery store we were feeling fairly confident about getting around, then a bus we were on took off down a different road. We looked at each other and shrugged since we had already discussed just riding the bus to look around as we have done in several countries. A few blocks later the bus dropped off a woman at an intersection and returned to the regular route. The next deviation from the route caused us to question another passenger on how the system worked. You get on at bus stop, tell the driver your destination and if it is not far off the route and you have spoken politely he will take you there.

 From our patio, palms bowing to the wind.

Looking south down the channel with rough seas breaking on red channel marker.

Freeport, Grand Bahamas

We have once again escaped the cold climes of Florida and headed south. It is about 10 degrees warmer which makes De Anne 100% happier. 

We have a nice little corner unit, ground floor condo at the end of Bell Channel. 

Last night the lack of food drove us out into the streets. Lucky for us a cab driver with a few folks already aboard stopped and asked us if we wanted to go to the fish fry. We had heard about the famous Wednesday fish fry on the beach, so needed little encouragement. I hate fish, but because ribs and chicken were offered too I was inclined to board the cab. The beach huts reminded us of Ecuador. The  food and music was good and the entertainment was watching an elderly man fry fish in a huge cast iron pot over a wood fire.

We solved the food crisis today with a ferry ride, walk and a bus ride. The buses here are vans with "public transportation" written on the side. When you get in you hand the driver $1.25 and tell him where you want to get off. Island food is expensive! A Whole Foods in the USA would be cheaper. As an example - a one pound box of Meullers pasta is $3.29. This may be an excellent time to start a diet. At least rum is cheap.

De Anne on the porch at happy hour.

Our porch view.