Yes I hear it has been very cold this year Good thing that you guys were at the dock for sure this year. Coldest on record for a long time in that early January freeze. I see kids and grandkids are doing great. Baja was great for us, warmest year on record so a good choice to have houses on both coasts. I am in Key Largo now, returning to winter today. Just another quick week down here. The weather has been spectacular. Quite the dockies you guys have become, must be nice now to be on the hook with the good weather finally.
We will be here for first two weeks of March for two weeks, then May 1 for a week or 10 days. Its pretty nice.
Good luck and have fun guys.
Jane and Mike
Happy to Hear From You! As always, I totally enjoy reading about your adventures. So nice that you had so much time with the family and a nice stay in Port L. Any plans for Cuba?
I see that Steven has plans to go to B.C. Hopefully he can see Jake and Jess while he is there. I have contact information if he needs it, or he can check on facebook.
The end of the month we are going to the condo in Florida with Joan and Lee. They are staying with us for one week, and we are there for two. Right now Mike is there on business and took his mom and mine down. They are really enjoying the warm weather and each other's company. They don't come back until February 16, so they have a nice long stay.
Happy Sailing and Keep in touch!
My first check-in Hi Folks, it was easy to find you in the travel blog, we'll be checking on you throughout the winter. I sent a link to your email so you can see the underwater photos Melinda took of our dives while in Grand Bahama. Enjoy! Have a Merry Christmas!
Glad to see the blogs again! Was wondering what you were up to and when you would set sail again!! I will be in Cuba in February with Lise (Bruce is staying behind to work - Loser!) Maybe we can meet up and have a drink. I'll watch for your progress. Enjoy!
Roughing it I see now guys. Wow that is a pretty nice place that you are staying. The view is spectacular right from your boat. Now that's cruising.
Have fun while we toil and work back here. The weather has held up though so far in Canada go figure compared to last year.
Hello Sorry we missed seeing you on your trip through Florida. Let us know when you will be back stateside.
Congrats on the new addition to the family. I can't believe that's it has been that long since "home schooling" in Fort Lauderdale prior to our first crossing of the Gulf. How time flies when you are living right!!!!
Can't wait Hi Doug and Sharon
Glad to hear that you are back on the boat and looks as if you have had a terrific start to the season. The marina that you are spending the next two months in looks great. If we are able to get our boat down there next winter, this is the sort of arrangement that would possibly appeal to us. Will have to debrief you both in the spring. Have a great Christmas and we look forward to your blogs.
Sounds like a great Winter Holiday Your Dad and I spend a few days on Jekyl Island the first time we came down in 1993. He would really be impressed with your agenda.
Of course he would say, "Sharon is the best thing that ever happened to Doug"! You certainly work well as a team. Best wishes for Christmas with your family and a great Winter.
Velda (Florida)
Hope to get there this year This year we hope to make it to Duncantown and then drop over to Cuba. We will keep a look out for your place at Ben Cay and tell other cruisers about your place and someone's abuse of your stuff. That is unfortunate as we believe most cruisers are not that way.
Doug and Sharon
SV About Time
Ragged Island Area Hi - happened upon your travel log today, and it made me homesick...sounds like ya'll didn't make it quite as far south as my place - Ben Cay - just south of Racoon Cay - maybe 9 miles north of Ragged Island. My husband died 12 years ago - just 2 weeks after we closed the sale on the 12 acre cay - he was merchant marines and we had moved from the Alabama Coast to Lauderdale w/3 children and intentions of building a life in the Bahamas, after many trips there (land and sea) . Well, I didn't move there, but I've gone at least once a year...sometimes with children, or friends, or alone. I've errected several small structures --I am qualified to call myself a 'bush carpenter' -- but would never have built a thing without lots of help from my friends in Duncan Town. Last year I was robbed by foreigners passing through...tools, kitchen, generators, solar panels, VHF...the works...but I'm not quitting. My youngest graduates this May (2010), and who knows, maybe I'll be there, finally, for a while, sometimes. Anyway....thought ya'll might have contacts of folks passing thataway, and I like to tell sailors about the landmark ( no beach, 8' water all the wayaround the cay and 3 tin roofs - one visible from pretty much any direction)there are some goats multiplying...and a cat who is a great hunter, but always looking for a handout!
Quality living Quite a blog! Thanks for introducing me to this available feature of Google. I envy you and Sharon and hope to someday experience a similar lifestyle. It is only one lottery ticket away! gary
retirement You two are are the poster kids for retirement. It's too bad you are not having more fun! Congratulations on the new grandchild and Steven`s graduation!
Les and Gord Taylor
Good for Dawn and Paul Another boat people baby, wow, do we have a long way to catch up with you guys. Congratulations grandparents again, although Sharon does not look like one.
"Bahama Heaven" What gorgeous photos!! Those beaches don't look too crowded either. Sharon seems to know her fish lures - what a catch! ( I am referring to the tuna, although, I am sure you feel Sharon to be a catch as well ) Have fun on the ski slopes when you are home and keep in touch. Cheers, Yola and Garry
Great pics...always new that rum drinking could cause problems! Give us a call if you can stop by, in Feb on your way back home, we would love to see ya.
You needed a new one anyway. Glad to hear that weather is good for you this year. Hope you still make it out to your goal of Cuba but there is always next year. Sounds like you are having a great time for sure, must have been stressful without the reefer for a time but I am sure that you just adapted as cruisers do. Freezing cold and tons of snow up here still, a good year to be away.
Cheers to the Sandercotts from the Bondys
Love to read your blog. I,m happy to hear you had a great Xmas with your family the pictures are beautiful and I really enjoy recieiving your blog. You do have a good life. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU BOTH.
Keep on writting take care.
Gertie
Happy New Year Love the photos. We feel warm just looking at them. Glad you were all together for the holiday. We are off to Peru in a few weeks - looking forward to escaping the snow! Enjoy your winter travels!
Barb and Bruce
Looks like you had a great Christmas. Its so nice to have the whole family down there and Ella looks like she enjoys it and the special attention from grandma and grandpa. Stephen is quite the photo bug too which is great to take the pressure off of Sharon. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Bondy's.
Ben and Heather are down with us, Jake and Jess unfortunately could not make it due to work committments. Mexico has had good weather but certainly chilly at night, with even some rain. We have done lots of neat stuff too, yesterday Ben and I went fishing and saw a humpback whale up nice and close, tons of pods of dolphins and caught a good number of fish. Having a good time too. Cheers.
a great start for the New Year Loved hearing about life on board your boat and all the exciting things you are doing while your family was visiting. What a lovely way to enjoy Christmas. Those photos are beautiful - who can resist those beaches and aquamarine waters!? Happy New Year to you both. Cheers, Yola and Garry
Just retired, we've gone cruising for the next 10 months in our sailboat, About Time (Beneteau First 405). Our home port is Bronte, Oakville, Ontario. We live in Guelph, Ontario. ... full info
mike bondy
non-member comment
Yes I hear it has been very cold this year
Good thing that you guys were at the dock for sure this year. Coldest on record for a long time in that early January freeze. I see kids and grandkids are doing great. Baja was great for us, warmest year on record so a good choice to have houses on both coasts. I am in Key Largo now, returning to winter today. Just another quick week down here. The weather has been spectacular. Quite the dockies you guys have become, must be nice now to be on the hook with the good weather finally. We will be here for first two weeks of March for two weeks, then May 1 for a week or 10 days. Its pretty nice. Good luck and have fun guys. Jane and Mike