Going south for a change

We decided we both need a break from the hub bub of life and would take off south for two weeks. The day before we set off was a bit difficult due to normal everyday problems and opinions. We did get the pleasure of good company with friends finished off by a spectacular launch. Things could only get better!

We normally go north and now I’m inclined the think there’s a reason for this. Our first leg was a clear run down to south of Canaveral where we anchored in a beautiful solitary anchorage and had a beautiful meal of fish made by yours truly. The following night we anchored in a fairly crowded spot where the reviews assured us that it would be good holding in mud. When we initially anchored I had feeling we had dragged and we felt too close to our neighbors so Pat lifted and reanchored. Within an hour a German guy was over asking advice about dinghy docks and in the meantime our neighbors pointed out that we were dragging. Pat had to run to the bow to quickly lift the anchor and we reset it. We then settled down for dinner. We have not dragged our anchor in 6 years when we first got the boat. Our fun was not over for the night. At the end of dinner Pat noticed that we were dragging again. We got our anchor caught up in another as it dragged along. It was dark! A neighbor came over in his kayak to help us but as the anchor was swinging and twisted in the other boats chain and he was UNDER the anchor I expressed concern about the danger. He then also realized and paddled further away. I finally lifted the anchor over the chain as Pat was doing the driving but I then had to inform him that I was on the other boat! With a quick prayer and and a leap I returned to M’Aingeal. No pics taken!. Not much sleep even with anchor alarm on.

There was a lot of boat traffic and quite a few big boats who have no regard with slowing to avoid giving us wake. (to the non sailors a wake rocks the boat considerably). We did get a delightful marina just in front of the TIKI bar. Isn’t that where you want to dock in a strange place with a large audience. The Marina had hurricane damage and only twelve slips remained. Markings were out of the question.

A couple of friendly guys from the bar took our lines and a number of people commented on how well we docked. (thanks to the practice we get in New Symrna this was a dawdle). This was Nettles Marina and I don’t think I’ve met more friendly people and the best steak I’ve had in a long time. One customer we were talking to at the TIKI bar informed us about the wonderful Seals museum at Jupiter. We made the decision to return up north but before that we would stop at Jupiter for a couple of days partly because we could only get a booking with a minimum of three days and it was not cheap. We could vist the museum and refuel. Lots of expensive houses and obvious wealth on the way down.

As you can see from the skies the weather has not exactly been clement. The engine died for a couple of minutes and we still can’t figure out why. We arrived in the expensive very tight dock only to find that on either side the pilings were rotten.

We called the dock master and got re located. We then found out that the museum was in Fort Pierce. Miles away. There is no fuel here unless you have one of the super yachts of which there are plenty … and us!

Planning on riding up the Gulf Stream to either Jacksonville or Fernandina, weather permitting. Normally my blogs are fun fun fun but although this is not quite so we are happy to be moving.