Another Day, by Bob Morgan...

Hi Heather We are safely anchored in the Rosario Islands attached and below are todays ponderings. Another Day It’s another day, no not a refresher of the last day, but another day. Totally new, no recycled version of yesterday, a fresh beginning every 24 hours. The sea is flat, seemingly driven that way by the oppressive weight portending the heat that the day will bring, it is already smothering the shimmering vista of low cowering vegetation that have learned how to survive on the small ringlet of islands that enclose us. To us who bring our own survival with us and so oblivious of the challenges of life, we see beauty and tranquility in the early morning, still and graceful, over lush green islands basking on the line that separates a cloudless pale blue infinity of the upper world from the flawless blue piazza where we dropped anchor. But yesterday, that different day, we felt the breath of ………. Not death, but the knowledge that life is transcendary and we were walking a line of risk as we plunged and recoiled from the short sharp seas that boiled over the shoals and reefs around these islands when the winds swing to the north and whoop and gush between 30 and 40 knots. Out in the open sea such a day is exhilarating, knowing that our mobile fortress luxuriates in being able to demonstrate what she was created to do. Yesterday however we were not infinite distance from the hard stuff, we were walking a tightrope between rock and reef and long wending shoals that funnel you in to the jaws of the of the channel that gives access to the leeward side of the islands where we were seeking the refuge of an anchorage we had used on another day. To day, this new day, above the reef that coils and stretches in every direction around us we see and hear the rippling rain drops of shoals of small fry breaking cover as they leap to avoid the jaws of faster fatter cousins. Yesterday as we approached our refuge and this reef, The islands were our friends and gave us shelter from the wind but it was still too rough to pick out the reef from the helm position and we had already learned that the positioning of the hard stuff on the electronic chart plotter could not be trusted, when as we weaved our way though the shoals, we tried to line up beacons and hazard warning towers on shoaling reefs, only to discover that either they or we were misplaced by several hundred feet. More that a passing concern when the path to be followed is less than one of those hundred feet wide. So today we plan to swim and play on that reef ………but yesterday my mind was fresh with memories of our last visit here. When we watched another sail boat wrestle and then get caught and twisted on these reefs for nearly 2 hours, as it tried to enter into the sanctuary of our anchorage. On that day, a different day, the wind was the little 8-knot nephew from the East of the stranger from the North that challenged us to day. So armed with memories of how we went out and helped free that sailboat from the reef and totally discarding the positioning of the reef on our electronic panaceas of survival, Edward climbed onto the boom and called port – starboard while Paul manned the depth gauge calling 6ft – 5ft – 4ft – 6ft as I attempted to react to their instructions, holding a path at 1-2 knots while the stranger from the North tried to pull and trick me to one side or the other. To day the stranger from the North has left, and appears to have taken his nephew with him, so we are left in the temporary hole caused by their absence, bobbing aimlessly at anchor in a bay of apparent tranquility. So today we have slowly maypole danced 3 full revolutions around mummers anchor as I have sat here reflecting on time and place, bracing myself for the play that such day deserves. Luv Bob

Next Stop Cartagena

So here is a snipit from Bob's last email. I was questioning him why they were heading to the San Blas when Graeme had plane tickets from Panama (on Friday 18th). F.Y.I Both Porvenir and Rio Diablo have little airports, well actually "airport" is stretching it a bit, both islands have a garden shed that doubles as a check in office and customs next to a small airstrip, but its enough to get a small jet to Panama.///

>This photo taken of Edi in the San Blas Christmas 2011 …………………………………………... BOB'S EMAIL…….. Hi Heather, The reason for heading to the San Blas is that they are on the way to anywhere in Panama. Our idea was to see if we could get Graeme to Porvenir Or Rio Diablo to get a flight to Panama City, so we could stop and chill on the San Blas for a while before going to Shelterbay. However the weather on the Columbian Coast has not matched the Weather forecasts. The day has been clear and sunny but the winds and waves have not died down all day. The wind has been between 30 and 40kts all day and we saw a few 50s. The Waves have been behind us most of the time but have meant constant attention to avoid us either surfing too fast or being turn broadside to our sail settings. (The good news is that with our double headsail set up, we don't have to worry about gybing) Because the wind is not dropping, my current plan is not to go direct to the San Blas, but instead to go into Cartagena tonight and then Graeme will buy new plane tickets from there. We will then continue on to the San Blas at our own pace, either staying a few days at Cartahena and the Islands off Columbia or going straight to the San Blas based solely on the best conditions to do it. Of Course this plan may change on the Whim of the Weather! I will keep you informed. - Cartagena is currently in sight. I will email you when we get there. Luv Bob………... (I received an email following this one an hour later to say that they are safely anchored in the bay.)

End of our 2nd journey south!

Following 2 fabulous restful days in Bonaire, snorkeling around some of the worlds best dive sites, we are finally back in Curacao, where we are preparing to put Daisy to bed for three months.

We're all very tired, but have throughly enjoyed our recent adventures. Over the next three months we will be traveling throughout Europe, England, Paris, Geneva and Tuscany then back to Ohio before returning to Daisy mid November.

Our next journey may possibly take us to Columbia and beyond, or back to the BVI's, we have yet to make that decision.

Thank you all so much for following my blog, I really appreciate your support, please check back in late November for more of our Caribbean travel adventures.

Ciao
Heather & Bob, aboard Crazy Daisy

Virgin Gorda to St.Maarten

We cast off at 6:45pm leaving Bitter End 45 degrees north of Necker Island, and headed out during a perfect Caribbean sunset. As so often is the case heading in this direction, the sail across to St.Maarten was quite rough, with a headwind for the entire leg. Daisy literally slammed up and down through the waves, all the time rolling from side to side. Having spent the last five weeks back on dry land I had yet to get my sea legs back and was suffering with a major bout of seasickness. To add to the drama poor little Nicho-San was barfing for all he was worth below decks.
We were unable to raise the sails, which would have steadied the boat, because of the headwind, and so we were forced to continue under motor. I spent the majority of the trip hanging limply over the side of the boat like a rag doll, wondering, but not caring, whether a monster from the deep was about to raise its ugly head from the inky depths below and snap off my head like a pretzel. I was also seriously regretting the lasagna and several cocktails I had consumed before we left.
With a calm sea and favorable wind, under a velvety black sky littered with trillions of sparkling jewels night crossings are wonderful, unique experiences that are both peaceful and exhilarating at the same time. They also provide the best opportunity to fully appreciate the extraordinary and incredible beauty of the stars without the distracting reflection of light coming from land. Unfortunately at this particular juncture I’m about as interested in the stars as Nicho! I take a deep breath filling my lungs with the crisp, clean, salty, fresh air, and usher up a prayer to God, to please let this leg of the trip be over quickly.
Normally, I love the sound of the ocean as the boat slices gracefully through the waves. I’m always transfixed by the amazing spectacle of the rising sun as it creeps gradually over the horizon at dawn, casting a blanket of pure gold and sparkling diamond dust across the ocean. I get so excited to see the first glimpse of land as it appears through a misty haze in the distance. These are just some of the things that despite my nervousness thrill me, filling me with a desire to travel further. Visiting places inaccessible to most folk is what sets sailing apart from any other form of travel. There are few limits as to where you can go, and distance is no problem. With wind as your power, sail is an environmentally friendly form of travel. How can you improve on that?
Sadly for us this was not such a crossing, and I would have paid any amount to be air lifted off Daisy and returned to terra ferma. But, alas, with sailing, as with all things adventurous, one has to take the good with the bad. I look across at Bob at the helm, and mutter to myself “the next leg of the trip better bloody well be good!”

Swinging from the Mast...

Apprentice First Mate

Our first 18 months aboard were spent sailing around the Caribbean mainly in the friendly waters of the BVI's, and up and down the East coast of America. Bob was absolutely in his element, spending his time happily familiarizing himself with all the systems and workings of the boat. While I spent my time bouncing around a galley the size of a shoe box trying to prepare meals in sweltering heat. Operate the mainsail without jamming up the hydraulics, or tearing a hole in the sail (yes I actually did that).
I also proved to be totally inept at driving the dinghy, displaying nothing resembling control, causing raucous laughter from Daniela who was watching me, and putting fear in the hearts of the other boat owners within range, for the safety of their vessels. The last straw for Bob was following an unfortunate incident one-day where I almost turned the dinghy upside down by driving it up over the stern of the boat. Bob felt the only safe option before I killed myself or someone else was to have a steering wheel fitted. A couple of other necessary skills I'm still working on perfecting include, maneuvering around the decks at speed without breaking my toes, or falling overboard, thereby initiating the 'Man Overboard' procedure, something I'm praying that we never have to do. . On the positive side I displayed a skill for varnishing, and have over the last couple of years become inordinately good at it.
As with all cruisers, Bob and I amassed a multitude of both amusing and horrific tales to tell during those early months aboard Daisy; mostly mine due to my total lack of experience and expertise, coupled with my extraordinary desire to demonstrate to anyone interested enough to be watching, my fabulous skills as a first mate. As it happened I didn't possess any fabulous skills, or in fact any skills when it came to sailing, but, as one learns through errors, so I hope to quickly become well educated in all things nautical.