An old girlfriend just called.....

[Frank]

I intentionally hauled out with a few extra days as I had some projects I wanted to complete. On hot nights it is nicer to sleep in the forward cabin which meant dropping the table down to put in the filler cushion. It makes for a nice double berth right under the forehatch so any breeze comes directly on you. The only problem, is raising the table the next morning to put things back in place. It slides up and down the mast support and is an SOB to bring back up as it’s a very tight fit. I cut a filler plywood so now we can simply swing the table to the side and make up the bunk. Too easy to put back to dinette mode in the morning. It’s funny how simple little things make a big difference on enjoyment when you’re out.

Edit to ad that I just emailed a picture to Bev and she called to say “what a game changer” …
Gotta love how simple things are out cruising…

[Frank]

Back home just a few hours…
Still snow on the ground…
Deja vu is pretty well stripped for hurricane season.
I know the blue tarp on the dingy won’t last, but if it stays for 4-5 mths, it’s that much less sun damage.
Hopefully all are well when we return.

[Frank]

Made it home to cold nights and lots if snow last Thursday.
Beautiful weekend and much warmer temps this week!
Snow is taking a hit!
Picture from last Friday

[Jim_ME]

Has been a very good winter. Nowhere near as many fronts moving through as normal and the weather has been quite pleasant. I’ve managed several incredible sails that were memorable!
I will turn 66 tomorrow.
...

A belated Happy Birthday to ya, Frank!

Congratulations on another good winter in such a wonderful place.

Appreciate your posts and photos...encouragement and advice.

Grog. :)

[Frank]

Thanks!
Back home at the cabin…
Very warm day today! Got up to 78!
Snow took a hit!
Nice to be back in the woods for a while…
Hope you and your dad are doing well.
Take care

[Jim_ME]

You're welcome, Frank.
That's a handsome cabin you have there.
Like a Typhoon...small but mighty! :)
Both you and Charlie have small easy-to-maintain homes.
Both have gotten away for extended periods to do a lot of cruising.
Perhaps not a coincidence...

Dad is well, thanks.
Though a bit melancholy
Recently lost his cousin and friend Doug in St. John, New Brunswick
whom he shared many adventures with many years ago.
on trips made with his father back to his original home in Nova Scotia.
Now Dad only has one relative of his generation remaining in Canada
a cousin in Halifax.

[wolverine]

Frank, you're living my dream.  My plan since high school was to retire on a boat in the Caribbean during winter, and have a cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin for the summer.  After the wife had a major stroke when she was 29, everything changed.  I still sail, but she stays at home.  She has promised once we're settled in our new house, I can sail off for a couple months.  Maybe I'll get a chance to taste your life one of these winters.  Until then, I'll live through your posts.

[Frank]

I hope it works out for you. I truly believe that once you do it, you won’t believe how easy it is…  The Abacos are so easily attainable.

Jim, love cabin life. My yearly Mallard couple returned. The wild turkeys are eating more deer feed than the deer. Birds at the feeder and chipmunks picking up the spillage…. Life’s good.
Hope your dad gets feeling better. I can imagine he’d feel a bit down….
Hopefully spring weather and blossoms will brighten his mood.
Take care.

[CapnK]

I've been frustrated for oh these many years now that due to my cell phone carrier policy I have not been able to make calls to Canada, whether in order to give Frank a hard time now and then, or catch up, or just leave a weird message. All that changed today - I got sick of the carrier and switched to a new one, one which has as part of their plan - calls and texts to Mexico and Canada!

Woo hoo!

So I call Franks number just now, and it starts ringing...

and ringing...

and ringing...

and then, AN ANSWER!!!

Some lady telling me that "This number is unable to take incoming calls."

OK, Frank, I can take a hint, eh.

:D

Maybe I can leave a text...

8)

[Frank]

Too funny 😄
What number are ya calling?

When in Abacos, I get 300 minutes free to Canada or USA
When in Canada, incoming from USA is 50 cents/ minute
When in USA, calls are free
I’m currently in Canada

Messenger is free

What’s app is free

[Frank]

Capt K and I finally got chatting… Skype is a wonderful thing between country’s.
Talks of boats to Florida, Bahamas and possibly further…
I’m sure CJ will confirm it’s far easier than most think to cruise Florida and Bahamas.
Heck I sailed over last time with my iPhone to navigate and no depth sounder.
I think we all “over think” and “over plan” at times…
Life need no be complicated.
Hope to see several of the sailfar crew over there this winter.

Love my little boat…..
All 24ft!

[Frank]

Totally unrelated…
After 12-13yrs my cabin was due to get stained.
Put plastic over the 10 windows (yet..10) and the door, then used a little Wagner sprayer.. Was as much work stapling plastic and taking it off as it was spraying the cabin. 3 mornings saw it stained and fascia boards painted too. Too much ladder work for a lad with bone on bond knees but I survived and really happy how it turned out.
Looks better with the lighter colour.
Scroll down, reply 243, Looks different with foliage too

[Frank]

Every year before haul out I make a “return list” of whats needed for maintenance and upgrades. Once home, I set a cardboard box aside in the shop where I put items in from the list so there’s no “where is that” come time to pack up.
Like many of us on small boats, I have a stove but no oven. While anchored in the hurricane hole at Allen’s-Pensacola last winter with 2 other boats, Steve off of Skylark showed up with warm, fresh buns! Such decadence!
Later while getting I tour of his boat I noted there was no oven? After quizzing him, I was introduced to his “omnia” donut oven. European, they are designed to work on a small burner stove. Heat comes up through the Center and circulates. Apparently you can do roasts etc as well.
Once home I shopped them and wow… expensive for something so simple! Further shopping showed an Italian version called “Tredoni” for less than half the price. Included is a wonderful tiny cook book, yes, all in Italian.
I surprised myself at first attempts. Not to Steve’s quality, but promising.

[Frank]

Steve, from Skylark holding his “omnia”, hamming it up with Lise off Polynya.
His bread is much better..

[Bob J (ex-misfits)]

The Omnia Ovens are pretty good.
This is a baked mac & cheese I made on the boat last week.

[Frank]

Funny, I’d not run into them until last year. Impressed!
Dinner looks good 👍

[wolverine]

I wonder if one could be made from a bundt cake pan.

[Bob J (ex-misfits)]

Funny, my daughter refers to it as the bundt oven.
I need to work on a decent bread recipe. I haven't made a homemade bread the old fashion way for probably close to 30 years. Having a bread machine at home, you set it & forget it.

[Frank]

It’s a process, lots of working the dough but ya typically have lots if time at anchor.
I’m still learning but getting better each try. Even the not so good ones smell SO good

[Frank]

Looking at pictures from last winter and these screen shots were there.
The little boat loves a close reach in 18+ knot winds. If the wind is right and waves moderate, she continues to surprise me.