Where does the time go? So much has gone on but again, I am too busy enjoying life that sitting at the computer seems a chore. Since we are underway, now seems like a good time to write! Let’s see, where were we last????
Landrail Point, Crooked Island.. Poor planning on our part, our visas were up on 3/8/15 and there we were on an island without an Immigration Officer. The Island Administrator may give you 30 days at their discretion but we were unable to contact her as she was off island so back to Long Island we went. The people we met while at Landrail Point were really nice. A man stopped his car as we walked away from the dink, said he would be happy to give us a ride to the grocery as it was a hike and then he proceeded to give us a tour of the settlement! The grocery was well stocked for a small place and our cupboards were bare from the extended stay at Little Harbour so that was a nice surprise!
Landrail Point to Clarence Town (41 n. miles), to Calabash (47 n. miles), to Salt Pond (24 n.miles) and we were back & ready to renew our visas.
Four couples rented 2 cars from noon to noon on Mar. 5-6. No one likes to drive at night as the road is narrow and streetlights are almost non-existent! As we all needed to do laundry that was the first stop. Doing laundry in the Bahamas can almost be fun but it is always an adventure. Since Long Island Breeze closed the closest laundry is in Hamilton about 20-25 miles away. The prices are reasonable by Bahamian standards $6.00 wash/dry – some places are up to $12.00 wash/dry! And Mr. Turnquist is a really nice man. I mean where else can you do your laundry while having a Kalik (beer) and a conch burger while he takes apart your dryer, removes the drum and fixes the machine while chatting away with you.
Once the “chores” were out of the way it was time to play so off to the Columbus Monument we went. Some of you who have followed the blog have seen it before but it is always great to be up there and on this day the wind was honkin’!
Me & Rob The Girls
The Guys 
Climbing the monument was thirsty work so of to Stella Maris Resort we went!
After that I needed a post office and the “prison” was next door! It was a fun couple of days with some fun folks, both old friends & new.
Since we were now legal for another 90 days we decided to celebrate by going to Simms & Baines Bluff for a couple of days with Bob & Francie of Barefootin’.
The Blue Chip Restaurant in Simms is run by Mario Simms who is a true Bahamian legend. He was a mate on the mail boat during his working career and retired to the restaurant some years ago. There is absolutely no industry in Simms other than fishing and Mario helps to feed the locals from his restaurant!
He appreciates a heads up that you will be coming and you don’t so much order as you have what he prepares and it is always fantastic! In the states we would say “chef’s choice” in the Bahamas it’s a matter of what is available. Rob & I have been several times over the years and have never been disappointed.
When we arrived on this visit we had fried chicken, fish, coleslaw, peas & rice and french-fries served family style. All of this and a beer for $15.00 a person! His fried chicken is the best! The meat is juicy & tender and NEVER greasy! No way could the 4 of us eat all of this so as usual, the locals were happy! Mario is truly a gift to the community of Simms and although no one seems to know exactly how old he is we think he is in his late 70’s. As a matter of fact, the Government & Ministry of Tourism honored him a few years back.
The next day we took our dinghies and explored a defunct marina and a beautiful beach near Baines Bluff. There is talk of resurrecting the marina (Google “High Cotton Bahamas”) for a stone crab industry. At the beach we thru out our dinghy anchors and just sat in the water for awhile. That sure beat thinking about busted frozen pipes in Virginia but that is another story.
Another sh*##y day in paradise!
On 3/10 we pulled the hook on the big boat and headed back to Salt Pond. Have I mentioned that the last month or so it has been really windy? Front after front and on this day we pretty much had to beat into it to make any headway.
Anyone who has known me knows that for the last couple of seasons my feet have made it almost impossible to do a lot of walking. Thank God that is no longer true. And I do mean Thank You God! 
Rob, Francie & I decided to walk the ocean beach the following day and although I could try to describe it the photos do it more justice!
Long Island Snowman
We decided to rent a van with 2 other couples (no laundry this time!) and again did the noon to noon but we had ulterior motives! We stopped at The Forest Restaurant #2 for lunch. GREAT!
There it was… at the restaurant… a sign for… SOUSE-OUT!!!
Now anyone who knows us knows that we really like Sheep’s Tongue Souse. Rob got it several years ago at a 5 F’s Festival. I tried a bite of his & he almost did not get his bowl back! It is basically a stew & it is great & there was a souse-out (fundraiser) the next day in Hamilton & we had a car! Yeah!
After lunch we went down to The Queen’s Highway Liquor Store which is run by 2 wonderful ladies. It is always a pleasure to see them and they actually remember us from years past.
Banana Tree Our favorite liquor store!
Next it was on to Seaside Village. Now this place is cool. Many years ago Kenneth Cartwright found an injured Osprey which he nursed back to health. In all of the years that we have come to his place we have only seen the Osprey from afar. Today was different!
The goat was there but the tide was too low for the manatee. We had an adult beverage and said we would be back the next day for conch salad to go after the souse-out.
Went went back to Salt Pond to Sou’ Side then up to The Midway Inn for the locals Friday night fun. It was great! Conch salad, Mutton Pot Pie, Cracked Conch and we were still back to the boats by 8:45pm!
Bright and early the next morning we hit the Salt Pond Farmers market then on to the Souse-Out to benefit Holy Cross Church. It was delicious! After that we found a great ocean beach to walk then back to Seaside Village for that conch salad to go.
We returned the van and got underway about 1:30pm on 3/14 on our way back to George Town for water. We spent a rolly night at Hog cay and I have been writing this on the way today.
After a couple of days in G’Town we will head back to Long Island for the Agro-Expo on the 20th & 21st. Our wedding anniversary is March 21st and what a great way to spend it. It’s hard to believe that we will have been married 8 years and together for 15! Wow! The being happy sign is true for all!
Later!
