The 55-foot Baltimore Beacon, known locally as “Lot’s Wife”, marks the entrance to Baltimore Harbour atop a 300-ft cliff. James knew from the moment we arrived that Jennifer, who suffers from the extreme inability to resist a good view, would find a way to reach the Beacon. So he wasn’t at all surprised when she…
Tag Archives | Nordhavn
Two Sides of the Atlantic
In February of 2016, we completed our longest passage ever: 3,700nm across the South Atlantic from St. Helena to Barbados. And in May of this year, we completed our worst passage ever: 2,800nm across the North Atlantic through three gales from Newport, RI to Kinsale, Ireland. In between, we’ve cruised the West Atlantic between Florida…
Sherkin Island
Sherkin Island in Baltimore Harbour has ruins dating from the 1400s, including a castle and a friary. The island also has some excellent walking trails with views to Baltimore Harbour and the Atlantic Ocean, and two pubs, also with water views. Trip highlights from June 12th through 14th at Sherkin Island, Ireland. Click any image…
Exumas From Above
Flying out of Staniel Cay on a clear day – The Blues!A post shared by Bob Taylor ~ (@istaboa_pics) on Jun 26, 2017 at 5:11am PDT A post shared by Bob Taylor ~ (@istaboa_pics) on Jun 26, 2017 at 6:42am PDT Big Major’s Spot AnchorageA post shared by Bob …
Kinsale, Ireland
Kinsale was a wonderful place to make landfall into Ireland. As is often the case, the original idea to go to Kinsale was passed on by a blog reader. The town is considered the gourmet capital of Ireland, which is one of the reasons we decided to enter Ireland here rather than at Crosshaven on…
Photos and Thoughts of Compass Cay
Yes, we’re still in the Exumas and, yep, life remains pretty good.
There are probably those who wonder how we maintain our sanity while hanging out static, tied up at Compass. And we admit, sanity is subjective, but this thing we all do on boats is not actually rational behavior. — is it? So we do what we makes us happy at the moment.
And…
We’ve said it before, one must understand to be at Compass Cay. It’s an acquired taste. We’re down with that, we feel fortunate to be here and we’re always sad to leave. Those who have put in extended time here will know what I mean.
This trip has had several unavoidable diversions and they’ve forced us to redraw our cruising plans. Future plans? Nothing is off the table yet – everything is back on – so we’re mulling over our intentions for the next few months with eyes wide open.
But, while here we’ve been busy; island busy, anyway.
Good news for those who cruise this area. A whole new source of less expensive and relatively fast island communications has become available so we’re puzzling over how to extend that out to the family island marinas.
In the meantime, the sky has offered up some spectacular vistas and island time has allowed me the opportunity to get out and use my camera.
Last night was such an occasion. The bugs made it an adventure, but I quickly snapped a few photos before seeking protection in the boat.
This week starts with an early flight back to Ft Lauderdale for a meeting with the new owners of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. An exciting opportunity that’s worth pursuing.
Next week, we may be forced to compile existing data and make a decision on when and where to head next. There’s another island wanting our services so that’s a factor. Another consideration: we’ve still got a hankering to do some cruising up the east coast.
As always, no decision will be made before it’s time.
Happy Problems
Yes, as previously stated • Life’s good
A little work, some play, island zen, and we end our days with scenes like these.
Who could complain?
And meanwhile
Summer turns to fall
Roses bloom and fade
Life goes on – You can measure it all
By the difference that it made
Mac McAnally
Adios,
Nordhavn 57-26 Istaboa
Old Head of Kinsale
The Old Head of Kinsale was a welcome sight for us at the completion of our 2,800nm passage from Newport, RI to Kinsale, Ireland. With a sunny weather forecast, we took the opportunity to make the 8-mile bike ride to get a closer look and take in the sweeping view from the restored signal tower….
Two Laps Around Fastnet Rock
Fastnet Rock is the most southern point in Ireland and the light on it is known world-wide, partly because it is the turn-around point of the classic ocean sailing race of the same name. We’ve now had Dirona at the location of several notable offshore races, including Vic-Maui, Transpac (San Pedro to Diamond Head), Sydney…
ENVOY’S FIRE DAMAGE REPAIRS NEARLY COMPLETE
Envoy is in Lefkas Marina undergoing repairs for cosmetic damage caused by fire on an adjacent boat while we’re staying in an apartment near the marina. Last Saturday was four weeks since YachtPaint started the repair work. They said it was a four week…
Exumas Return ~ Exhale…
It’s nice to be back; though there was a disturbing moment as we walked onto the boat hearing a highwater alarm. But, barring a faulty primary bilge pump, after a quick look all was well.
Backup?
Yeah, but still –
Our stay in Jupiter was longer than we had expected. After all that had happened there was a lot to be taken care of and high-speed internet / reliable cell phone service certainly made life more manageable.
Finally, after a week’s stay, we caught a ride to Ft Lauderdale and hopped a little Watermakers plane back to Staniel Cay. Tucker had dispatched a small boat to pick us up and the last leg was a beautiful ride back to Compass and Istaboa.
Crew Istaboa – Happily boarding the Watermakers flight back to the Exumas
(Thanks to Norman, from Chicken Cay, for the pic)
So, literally, at the end of the day, we’re back on the boat; a bit tired, but happy to be home. For the first time in more than a week we’ve stopped to take a breath. Then an apt end to a week that had only gradually improved — we look out to the west where another amazing Compass Cay sunset was painting a sky that would’ve made Maxfield Parrish envious.
exhale…
It’s going to take a couple of days to re-acclimate and the wind is puffing up a good blow — so we’ll be here a while.
After that?
Who knows…
It’s nice to be back
Nordhavn 57-26 Istaboa
