Voyage 2023: Chapter 1

24 Jan 2023, Missions and Highlights, 26 45.552 N/ 077 19.788 W

Walking, talking, and golf cart-ing: Last year, I rented a T&A golf cart for the 2022 trip to GTC to help Ann get around. This year was no different as I didn't want to force my guests to have to walk everywhere. We got a sporty yellow one from T&A this time. We used 'Yellow' when we wanted to explore White Sound, Coco Bay, or North End. Yellow was helpful for photo shoots outsite the Settlement. Nothing was more relaxing than 'walking and talking' through New Plymouth. Everybody waves to everybody here in the Settlement. This being our 4th year, Mattie and I know well many of the residents of GTC as well as visiting folks of the cruising community.. It was not unusual to go on Settlement walks two or three times a day.

Sitting on the porch: In 2022, Ann became increasing ill from the side-effects of her chemotherapy. But that never stopped her from spending time on her beloved cottage's porch. She would wave to folks, talk to chickens (oops, that was me), invited folks to sit with her, and occasionally a cat nap. Karen and I did not have as much luck on the porch this year. January has been been colder, wetter, and windier than years past. Still, we got to enjoy the porch many,many times. Last year, I promised Julie that I would trim her roses in 2023. This time, she handed me a bunch of clippers (aka suck-a-tiers) but they were all not very useful. Trying to protect my good name, Karen started to trim the dead and dying branches. She stopped and said these clipper are worthless. I went to Roberts, bought new clippers, handed them to Karen, and away she went... and I supervised. Team effort!

Capturing the Island: The island is beautiful: in her people, in her seas, and in her land. Dorian has done much to change GTC, but her people survived and are strong again; the settlements are rebuilding due to the strength of her people and the forces of the charitable organizations worldwide. These people are a wonder! Rhett is the painter on the right and has been capturing the beauty of the island for many, many years. We bought a couple of his prints. Great... Enough of my babbling! Like Ann, Karen was drawn to the people, places, and things from the start of her visit. She is a photographer and painter and hopes to capture the beauty of the place.

MV Legacy: Ann and I have 'known MV Legacy' since 2017 when we first saw her arrival at the Government Dock at New Plymouth GTC. We were fascinated with the rhythm of the place as folks would work with the crew and each other to get their 'stuff'. It was a wonderful view on life on the island. In this journal, I have written about my curiosity of the magic of the 'Mailboat'. This year was no different. Karen enjoyed my fascination with the whole scene.

Restaurants:: There are quite a few restuarants, cafes, and carry-out places in the New Plymouth. Though most of the restaurants are friendly and tasty, 'our' favorite is the Plymouth Rock Liqour Store and Cafe, followed closely by McIntosh's Restaurant, Two Shorty's, and the Wrecking Tree. The Green Turtle Club restuarant, at White Sound, is also very nice. It's hard to believe that we have never gone to Pineapple's. Next time. The picture to the right is Matthew, Karen, and Bob are at the Liquor Store.

Just Hanging Out: Last year, Joe and Yvonne (SV Modaki) invited us to a dinghy ride through Black Sound. Our early departure from the island precluded any ride back then but they 'ponyed' up now. The four of us ghosted along the coastline of Black Sound, reminicing about times past. Great people to share their memories with Karen and myself. Ann would be proud!! At our cottage, Modaki and "Sandy's Way" (John and Sandy) cooked up a great meal for the 6 of us ... and wine too! I'll ask Karen what we had, as I forgot, as my memory is getting tuckered. Anyways, we spent most of the time cooking (not me), eating (me), and swap sea stories (everybody). Karen and I went with Craig to the Island's 'dump' to help him feed the "Dump Cats". The residents came to the rescue after Dorian and starting feeding the feral cats in the area. Ann went with Craig and myself last year, and Karen accompanied Craig and I this year. We walked to and waded in Gillam Bay, visited the Farrington's Hydropnic Garden, explored the Cay's Atlantic Bays, and much, much more. So much to do and not enough time to do it.

26 Jan 2023, Heading Home, 38 46.65 N/ 076 34.008 W

We headed for the Treasure Cay airport via golf cart, BOLO ferry, and cab for a 1000 departure. Everything was perfect and we were eating sandwiches at the Tiki bar in the TCIA (Fort Pierce) airport by 1130. We hopped into the car, tucked Mattie into another mobile platform, and the three of us headed North in the Sorento. We stopped in Savanna, and arrived in Northern Virginia the following evening. Not bad.