pot lucks and a pig roast

---

---

We can now understand why a lot of cruising folk (especially seniors) retire from the anchoring - out life and tie up in a marina for the season.

It is worry free - even storms are not to be feared - there is always someone with a taller mast nearby - you can't get lost or run aground or run out of beer!

Although we are living the life of pot-luck dinners every Tuesday, aquafit and yoga, tv on the boat (Yes! - we bought a 15" flat screen which fits nicely on our chart table) - and Happy Hour 3 - 7 pm at Wahoo's Pub & Grill - we are not quite ready to surrender to this version of the cruisers' life just yet.
The pig roast was a great deal - free - put on by a boat dealership - even beer and wine were laid on.

Being on the dock has allowed us to get a couple of needed projects completed - replacing a leaking hatch and replacing our corroded, ugly lifelines, as well as the usual maintenance issues that are an ongoing part of boat life.

We also had an opportunity to make a quick trip to the west coast of Florida to visit with friends Arthur & Eva, Ross and Brenda who have rented places in Sarasota and Dunedin.

We have decided to store Gust O'Wind in Florida for one more year - return late in December then have one final full winter to really cruise and get our anchor wet.

We'll stay here in Stuart until mid March then get home in time to pack and get organized for our big trip to South Africa and Paris in April.

Cheers from sunny Florida!

---

Photos

up the mast
helping our neighbour go up his mast to replace a halyard

pig roast
this was a method we had not seen before - a tray of bbq charcoal is rested on top of this pig "coffin" for an hour or so - then the pig is flipped over to cook on the other side

dinner ashore
we thought this was an appropriate place to celebrate Marlene's birthday - the scallops were amazing.

aquafit
3 times a week this group gathers to bob around in the pool and gossip

new friends
every year we meet a new set of cruisers like us and have many opportunities to swap stories and have fun together

pot luck
on Tuesdays 50 or so cruisers gather by the pool to "meet and greet" - it may be the only decent meal of the week for the single men who usually stampede to the front of the line for the best pickings

new lifelines
we went to uncoated stainless steel lines and really like the new look - they will be a lot easier to keep clean

on Englewood beach
we had a great visit with friends Arthur and Eva Corry in Sarasota where they were renting a house for February - we found a few fossilized sharks teeth and Arthur did take his shoes off!

catching up
we spent 2 nights with Arthur & Eva in their spacious, comfortable rental home in Sarasota - our first nights ashore in 2 months

kayakers
after Sarasota we went on to Dunedin to spend a day with friends Ross and Brenda - we rented kayaks and drifted leisurely down the Weeki Wachee River

Weeki Wachee
a beautiful, spring fed river flows 8 miles or so to the Gulf of Mexico

steelhead trout
done to perfection on the barbie - unlike our incineration of coral trout many years ago in Australia!

on the hook
we have just returned to our marina from this nice anchorage on Peck Lake - good to get the anchor in the water again

Peck Lake anchorage
a comfortable anchorage about 10 miles from our marina at Stuart

Atlantic beach
across from Peck Lake is a long unspoiled beach - great for walking

Comments

[Garry]

Docked!
Hey - great photos - and it looks like life is pretty good :) The moored life certainly looks attractive, but then you think back to one of those beautiful mornings / evenings at anchor in Covered Portage - "ah ... the serenity". Keep well, we'll see you soon. Garry & Jan

[Bruce Chittick]

[e-mail]
Fantastic photos. We can really get a 'picture' of the life you are leading. Bit different to our 'hard' slog life trying to get the handicap down.

[Jean and Peter]

great blog
as always we enjoy your travels. look forward to a visit in sauble. meanwhile have a safe and happy summer. jean

[Dean Tudor]

Great Fun
Sounds like you are all having a great time in your retirement; I am glad that you and Marlene are enjoying yourselves. If you ever sail into the Toronto Harbour (it's still here despite Porter Airlines and new Mayor Ford), then give us a call -- we're at the same place, some number. Ann and Dean. try www.deantudor.com www.anntudor.ca