I don’t know how long, for months, a plan has been rattling around between the Captain of Velella and myself of roasting a leg of lamb.  After many conversations at the Tiki Bar and numerous ‘false starts’, we finally got serious and made the plans final and binding.  Not wanting to be involved in a conspiratorial faux pas of the marina, punishable by lashes of the tongue, as well as wanting the extra push of inspiration and motivation, we decided to enlist the help and guidance of Pirate King, Bill.  He volunteered to supply the rum and drink and wisely advised the mileage to be gained by inviting the wenches and added our relatively new pal, Martin to the entourage.

Now the wheels were in motion, much like a runaway train.  No more false starts.  Battle plans were drawn.  Logistics and support all worked out.  Today at 1500 zulu, 1100hrs, 11:00am, 6 bells in the morning watch, I crossed enemy lines, low crawled past the sentries, and made my rendezvous with Lenny who met me with his tank (Lincoln Towncar).  Off we headed for Publix like a stampeding herd of turtles.

It might be time to mention that Lenny is not a teeny little non-noticeable guy, being close to the same size as me.  We walked into Publix looking like two giant Ogres seeking human victims to feed upon.  Grabbing a grocery cart, we began our shopping spree, looking quite out of place performing such a domestic function that we drew lots of stares, but no comments from the normal dirt dwellers also haunting the aisles.  In short order we had gathered the makings for our feast.  The PETA people need to go ahead and log off now, for us, PETA stands for ‘People Eating Tasty Animals’.  The meat manager told us that we were purchasing two legs of lamb, but they looked suspiciously like dog.  No matter to us, we were salivating in anticipation as we left the supermarket.

Then it was back to the marina where Lenny began his masterful preparation of the feast and I assisted him with the pre-drinking phase of the operation.

Just when I thought that we might be in trouble, Bill showed up with a wagon and cooler full of drinks and ice, followed closely by Lenny’s wench Marietta, Bills wench Earlene, and Marty who couldn’t trick his wench into coming.  After hors d’oeuvre of little bourbon marinated hot dogs, cheese and crackers, and a salad, all prepared fresh from scratch by Lenny, we lit up the grill and watched while he created a gourmet feast of lamb, baked vegetables, and Lenny’s own garlic bread.  A better feed I cannot remember.

Without slighting Lenny’s culinary genius, what really made the night such a pleasure was the warm camaraderie of bright, entertaining friends with interesting and colorful stories to share.  As the ladies retired, and the rum flowed, the stories ranged on toward the midnight hour.

It was with regret that we succumb to the ravages of age, time, and alcohol while trudging the docks back to our own boats and empty bunks.  I for one am hoping that last night is an event that we will be able to repeat many times.  For now, fair winds and following seas.    Nat

Leg of Lamb?

Resting at anchor

The engine burns less than 1 gallon of diesel fuel an hour when making a little over 6 knots. We generally only use the engine to get into, and away from the dock, or operating in the crowded Inter Coastal Waterway (ICW). We also use the engine while waiting for a draw bridge to open. Once we get into open water the engine is silenced and the sails raised. It is amazing how peaceful and quiet it gets when all you hear is water slipping past the hull.

Starting at the bow, or forward end, there is a bunk there, referred to as a Vee berth. That is because of the ‘V’ shape due to the hull widening as it goes aft. We generally use this area for storage when not occupied by visitors. There is also a forward head (bathroom) complete with a shower. We have a 10 gallon hot water heater on board that is heated with shore power, 110volts, when at the dock. When we are underway the cooling water from the engine provides the heat, and great caution must be taken as the water temp is up to 170F.

Looking aft towards the galley

Next is the main salon, or living room. This is where the First Mate (Abby’s) quarters are located. We spend most of our below deck time here. The galley, or kitchen, is located on the port side. We have a 12 volt reefer and a propane 3 burner stove. The double galley sink has fresh or salt water available for washing.

Main salon along with the First Mates quarters

Coming aft down the starboard side is our pantry, work bench, navigation station, and storage bins. The engine room access is in this passageway as well.

All the way aft is the master stateroom. We have a nice full sized pillow top mattress that sleeps wonderfully as we gently rock at anchor. With the deck hatches open we sleep with a soft breeze most nights. There is another full head (bathroom) adjoining this stateroom as well. Just about every inch of space is used in some way or another for storage. Keeping tabs of what is where can be a daunting task at times. Most of our time completing a project is the simple act of finding what we are looking for if it hasn’t been touched in a while.

She is a very comfortable sailing vessel and solidly built. The boat will handle much harsher weather than what we are willing to sail in. All in all she has been a very seaworthy home while encouraging us along the way into greater adventures.

Back at the dock

There has been a lot of local controversy concerning the anchorage in front of City Park. The free anchorage there has just been approved to be converted into a paid mooring field by a private company. We wanted to stop in for a look at the area ourselves. Hit the link for a Sarasota bloggers viewpoint.

http://saveoursarasota.blogspot.com/2008/01/sarasota-bayfront.html

Parking at the Tiki Bar

We enjoyed a couple of drinks and some extra large shrimp. It was really delicious. The only gripe was the constant westerly winds blowing at a steady 18 mph.

Time at the tiki bar

We checked the Gulf conditions before departing and decided to stay in the Intercoastal waterway (ICW) on our trek north.

We were faced with crossing Tampa Bay during some really crappy weather, but nothing I’ve not sailed in before. There was a line of thunderstorms developing and moving in. All part of the ‘no rain for two weeks’ forecast. I finally gave up listening to the weather guessers concerning the minimal wave conditions in the Gulf. I knew what they were reporting was not what was actually happening.

Anchored in Sarasota

While we motored north in the ICW we made it to Bradenton Beach where there was another drawbridge. Just north of that was the Anna Maria drawbridge which led directly into Tampa Bay. There was a southbound sailboat crossing under that bridge and was reporting that the bay had 35 knot gusts, waves 6 feet or more, and it was getting worse. He was running south seeking shelter at the location I was leaving.

About that time the Coast Guard radioed all vessels with a special marine advisory warning of waterspouts in the line of bad weather I could see developing across my bow. During the broadcast they advised that all personnel should seek shelter below decks… That left me wondering- who was supposed to be driving the boat?

Anyhow, it was time for a decision… go north into the tempest… or pull into Bradenton Beach Marina, tie to a dock, plug in the shore power cord, turn on the A/C, and take a nap while the Admiral catches dinner… That really did not require much of a decision making process.

Baby grouper

Once the tempest blew past we walked the two blocks to the beach and enjoyed the quaint little beachside community with a couple of adult libations.

All in all, we had a wonderful 10 day adventure on the boat. We are back at the home marina now, just a few small repairs and fix-its before we strike out again for more adventure.

From the decks of the s/v AbbyGale