We have a big boat again

Kickstand. You thought I was kidding, didn’t you?

Well, our boy Simon flew back to the US this morning. I got a great picture of the airplane with the kickstand this time. We enjoyed our visit with him and feel fortunate he could share so much time with us during his break. 

(If you are thinking, “Jonathan is just writing that sentence to make Simon feel good when he reads the blog,” don’t kid yourself – we think it unlikely that Simon reads the blog at all. He’s a smarty and got excellent grades again last semester at George Washington University. We are proud of our scholar. But he doesn’t seem to seek out this literary genre. (Mainers, give him your vote if you ever see his name on the ballot. Watch out Susan Collins you coward.)) (Side note: Moss says I am being a cyber-bully to Susan Collins. Perhaps. But at least I am not a hypocritical gender-traitor like the senator.)

Moss the fish.

Anyway, we passed the remainder of the day taking care of business at Staniel Cay in preparation for about a week or two away from civilization. Before taking care of chores, however, Moss and I snorkeled Thunderball Grotto again. The current was ripping through but Moss is becoming a strong swimmer and had no difficulty managing. She is becoming a real fish. (She would prefer I didn’t call her a “water baby.”) 

School has resumed aboard Cupcake and Moss seems to be enjoying the work once again. Speaking of work, ashore we had the propane tank refilled, filled the diesel tank and jerry cans, and cleaned our laundry at a laundromat.

Don’t believe everything you read.

Let’s talk about that laundromat. Actually it was a laundromat and wholesale liquor store. I know a little bit about wholesale liquor and can definitively state that $62 for a case of Kalik beer that sells for $42 in the government store back in Nassau is not a wholesale price. Similarly, $30 to use coin-operated machines to wash and dry two loads of laundry is not wholesale either. Yikes. 

In any event, we are tanked up with fuel (well, not gasoline for Mr. Flowerpot  because Staniel Cay ran out of gas two days ago and hasn’t gotten a delivery since) and clean laundry and a clean composting toilet and electricity (because today was bright and sunny). 

This evening we are hanging on the hook at Big Majors Spot and will head back to the Pipe Creek area tomorrow for some snorkel action. Ellen wants to make lobster sushi. (Side note: Best-Practices-Ellen has us anchored with 75’ of chain in 11’ of water. It is unlikely we will drag in the 15 knots of wind tonight will bring. But boy will we sleep well.)

Aretha Franklin on the stereo (Moss has a new favorite musician), meatballs and spaghetti with hand-made breadsticks for dinner. Ahh. Sometimes this lifestyle is very easy to take.

It’s actually more beautiful and mysterious than it looks in the pictures.

The fishies in Thunderball Grotto are not afraid because there is no hunting allowed. The stripey ones are Sergeant Majors (Abudefduf saxatilis). The guys with the yellow tails are Schoolmasters (Lutjanus apodus).

Amen.

Team Cupcake.

Is Simon smiling because he is leaving this ship of fools?

Group selfie. Matchy-match shirts. So cute.