Yarr- which is not to be confused with ‘Yarrg,’  -or- just what the hell is A Hoy anyhow? A Vast is something the Grog was in, at least that’s what we figured last night.

Take a bunch of serous minded adults, give them a reason to dress up like pirates and let the festivities begin! First off me matey, thanks to Bill and Earline for hosting this event once again. The docks of Land’s End Marina were again invaded by all manner of scurrvy scallawags and seadogs. Several lubbers even managed to show up!

The eight year run of dry attendees was broken last night. We had two swimmers from the docks during the festivities. It’s always been a curious thing why nobody, till this year, had taken a plunge from the planks to the briny bay before this time. Gathering anywhere between 50 and 100 people at a time on the narrow docks, sprinkle in generous amounts of Grog, and well, you can see why its difficult to understand why it took 8 years to produce a swimmer… Both folks are fine by the way, just a bit salty.

Last years award recipients picked the newest round of winners for several categories. The award was a ‘bung’ or cork like device that seals the keg of grog… yarr

“How would ye like to scrape the barnacles off me rudder?”

“No, nothings dead in the water,it’s me ye smell.”

“Shiver me timbers wench, I’m 97 percent chum free!”

“Is that a belaying pin in yer breeches or are ye…”

“Prepare to be boarded.”

All manner of pirate speak was heard by the bilge rats running loose on the planks. It was a fun time that be had by all…

Yarrg! To next year!

The cannon with 1 oz of powder, about to make a loud noise!

Picking the winners

Bilge Rats on the dock

Was Earline really giving Bill a trim???

Ahoy to my great friends and accomplished sailors!

Been nowhere in particular

Every now and then a garden variety Florida thunderstorm passes through the area cooling things off for a few hours. The temps are running in the low 90’s with the humidity around 88%. It’s muggy. Small amounts of work will generate large amounts of sweat.

What in the heck are we doing at the marina anyhow?

Unable to answer the above question, we left with the tide. Winds were light and variable. The water is 88 degrees, so perhaps some swimming or diving will have to occur during this trip to nowhere, which is exactly where we were headed. This was a trip without a plan.

You never know who you will run into out here.

We decided to get away from the dock, but were unsure as to where we were headed. We did decide to head basically south. There is a nice place near Lemon Bay (Manasota Beach) to drop the anchor and go sharks teeth diving. I pulled out the chart and found a couple of neat places up along the Manatee River that we have not been to before. Maybe we will go there.

Leaving our marina we were greeted in the Inter Costal Waterway by an old friend of mine. We chatted with John and his wife for a short time as we approached the draw bridge. We tried to plan on going to Egmont Key and spending the night tied up with John. He had to be back to work, so that plan was scrapped. We were screaming along at 5 knots. John was in idle.

I'm just following the bird...

He couldn’t take the slow speeds any longer and soon departed on a plane. We agreed to meet up sometime in the future and spend the evening enjoying sundowner cocktails at the Key. I’m looking forward to that.

Passing the first drawbridge we were faced with which way to go. Turning right (starboard for you sailors) would take us out into the Gulf of Mexico. From there we could head down to the sharks teeth hunting grounds. The only problem with this is that there is no wind. A bit unusual for this time of the year. Nothing to fill the sails with was forecast for the rest of the week according to my marine radio. If we are going anywhere, it will be with the auxiliary engine only. The only thing the sails will be doing this week would be to provide a lot of shade.

We decided to turn left. That would take us through another drawbridge, then under I-275, and into Tampa Bay. Without the wind to drive us along we would have to find someplace closer to go. I don’t like listening to the engine all day and it heats up the boat.

I-275, where all the busy people are

The final decision had been made. Apollo Beach.

We could visit friends, hoist a drink or three at the tiki bar, dinner at Circles Restaurant, and visit with some friends. So that is exactly what we did, not necessarily in that order.

It was all about nothing. No wind, no rain, no chores, no schedule… nothing in particular.

We did have our cocktails, did visit with friends, and had some great food. All as it just happened, nothing planned beyond the next ten minutes or so.

Since we were not in a hurry to go anywhere or do anything in particular, we were compelled to watch Spanish mackerel spawn in Tampa Bay. I don’t believe that they actually cared or not if we were watching. Sheree tossed in a couple of great looking lures into the schools, but nothing would bite. They were busy spawning and running from the occasional opportunistic shark passing by.

Holy mackerel...

We saw lots of sting rays, birds, and a few other passing boats. Nobody appeared to be in much of a hurry as it was a work day for most of the world.

We on the other hand, had nothing in particular to do today, or the next day, or the next…

Do not disturb... busy going nowhere.