Wind Warrior Update

We're leaving Liverpool this morning and should be in Shelburne by this afternoon with light seas. Unlike the 40 knot squall we go into yesterday for the last 2 hours of the day.

The AIS may or may not work. It doesn't seem to be transmitting so you probably can't track us.
Everything else seems to be working great on the boat.

Pray for light winds so we can get across.

WAITING ... WAITING ... WAITING

That's right, we haven't left yet. The boat is all ready and we moved our clothes onto her today.
She's fueled, all new filters and anodes, full of fresh water, loaded with groceries and spares for everything. 

Tomorrow it's the fridge stuff and the freezer stuff......... then we wait some more.The plan as of tonight is to try to leave around noon on Wed after this storm passes through. Maybe we can get to Rogues Roost on Wed then on to Liverpool on Thurs and Shelburne on Friday. Tomorrow the forecast is for  seas of 2 meters increasing to 3 meters....... not for us thanks! It's suppose to start dying down on Wed morning.

At least that'll get us down to Shelburne for jumping off to the States.
So far Wind Guru is telling us that Monday and Tuesday will be good for crossing. CROSS YOUR FINGERS !!

That's our latest update. Everyone asks why we aren't gone yet...... well, you wouldn't take your boat out in 2-3 meter seas so why should we?

We're Off Again

Well, this past year has certainly flown by. Wind Warrior is in better shape now than the last time we went to the Bahamas. All the work is opretty well done now and today , after installing the new windows, we started moving things onto the boat. The plan is to leave DYC early Saturday morning (7am) and arrive in Shelburne on Sunday where we'll wait out  a storm that is forecast in the Gulf of Maine on Monday. On Tuesday the wind is forecast to shift to the north and diminish to light making for a comfortable motor over the 280 nautical miles to Cape Cod. We hope to arrive there sometime on Wednesday evening.

Kelly and Ryan will be living in our house for the winter once again.

We plan to keep up a blog again and my brother Ed has promised to help with the posts and the map, which was a hit.

The Work Goes ON...and ON...... and ON.......

That's right, Things are progressing rapidly and the improvments are continuing. After our trip last year we now know what we want to take, what improvements or adjustments are needed on the boat and many other things including getting ourselves ready.
The boat is looking great now that she has had some minor gelcoat scratches repaired and the stripes re-painted. Jan has finished varnishing the inside and she sparkles. The cabin sole has also been re-finished.
We peuchased a new set of sails since last year as well.
Our intention is to depart Darmouth at the end of August and head back south to the Bahamas. Kelly and Ryan will be living in the house.
Our route south will be basically the same as our last trip except that we'll be stopping in different places. No rushing this time. We intend to be in Jacksonville, Fla around the first weel of November.

We plan to keep the blog going again for the next trip to the Bahamas. Who knows what it will bring.

Stay tuned..........
Ron & Jan

We'd rather be in the Bahamas

Winter is quickly passing along and with the coming of April everyone is starting about getting the boats ready for launching.
Personally we'd both rather be back in the Bahamas.



                                        In January, we had a wonderful trip from Jacksonville, Fla. down to Miami with Peter and France aboard their Mainship 39 power boat. Unfortunately the gulf stream didn't cooperate for a safe crossing so we had to go with Plan B and leave them in Miami. It was a great three weeks in the sun with good friends. In March it was time for some house renovations with the installation of new windows and now we're busy putting in a newly renovated kitchen.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN - "BARBADOS"

November came and went but we couldn't let it go until we journeyed off on our yearly trek to Barbados. As usual the weather was perfect, but a little hotter than normal, which made for a very relaxing vacation. The usual gang had arrived and this year my sisters Kathy & Deb, niece Tracy and Brother in Law Bob also joined us. As you can see, although the complex was sold out, there still didn't seem to be many people there.

This year was special as the Barbados Tourism Association as well as our favourite hotel, Rostrevor Hotel where we always stay recognized us for making over 25 visits to the island. The BTA took us and two other couples out for a delicious lunch and presented us with beautiful plaques and certificates.

It was great to see longtime friends Wallie & Helen who have been visiting Barbados for 49 years and Norm & Betty who arrived after missing last year.

On our last day in Barbados, Robin, the manager surprised us with having Freddie place our name over our door in commemoration of our 25th year of visiting with them. Jan was so overjoyed she burst out yelling then crying in joy. This was a very special moment for us.

So, with our bags packed and our storage boxes loaded to remain there until next year we set off for home to prepare for Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE" !!

Our next journey takes back to the Bahamas on Jan 8th, 2013 when we fly down to West Palm Beach to join Peter & Franz in taking their 40 foot trawler "CASTELLO" to the Abacos, in the Bahamas. Man, this retirement thing is terrible! We're all really looking forward to seeing them again.

All the best in the new year....... if the world doesn't end today!

NOW IT'S OVER !!

Our trip to the Bahamas is over. We arrived at our home yacht club, Dartmouth Yacht Club at the end of July and WIND WARRIOR is resting in her berth. Like I keep saying to people..... We had an awesome trip down the US east Coast to the Bahamas and back. It was really very easy as we took it one step at a time. When you look at the fact that we put over 5,500 nautical miles under our keel in less than a year it looks like a lot, but when you break it down into short legs and take it a day at a time, the next thing you know is that your goal has been accomplished. During this trip, not only were the scenery and the beaches fantastic, but it was the friendly people and the friends we made that will never be forgotten. When you set out you feel like you're alone, but it doesn't take long before you meet other cruisers who are in the same boat, so to speak, and everyone has the same goals. When someone needs help or gets in trouble, the first responders are other cruisers, and usually someone you don't even know. Relationships in the relatively small enclosed space of a boat can be strained at times, but iver time Jan & I became a close knit team who watched for each other and worked out any problems together. We are a lot closer now. We both hope that by keeping up this blog and with all the emails we sent, that you too had the pleasure of enjoying our trip as we progressed. A trip south to the Bahamas can be very easily done and with the right preparation and attitude it can be a very fun and rewarding experience....... and one that we will never forget. To everyone who supported us along the way...... Thank you. Like I said..... Now it's over.... and this winter we'll be preparing the boat and our lifestyles for out next adventures when we plan to do it all over again in 2013.