Dec. 11-18 We enjoyed a quiet week at “home” and slowly watched the comings and goings of various boats into the harbor. some were old favorites and others new to us. Many move on and go further south to Georgetown or further. We also checked in with some of our island friends and got caught up on their summers and any hurricane damage. On several nights we partied with other boats and played a new board game, dominos, and some cards. It was windy most of the time but I got into the water everyday and swam around for the exercise and the sheer joy of being in that clear warm water once again. One good sighting was a small green turtle swimming on a baby reef nearby. We usually don’t see turtles in this harbor. Because of the wind, the mail boat that usually comes mid week was not able to come and the larder of fresh things grew smaller every day. I even had to resort to putting baby bok choy on John’s sandwich because my lettuce ran out days earlier. Yesterday, we did go the store and found a few things that had been flown in by the store owners’ son who is a pilot.

Dec. 19-24 This was the week of getting the community beach back to working order after Hurricane Irene did her work. We all use the beach for get togethers and bonfires during the winter. John and I and our friends on ‘No Agenda’ were the ring leaders of the restoration project. The hurricane had moved the sand around and thrown lot of dead sea grass all over the beach. ‘No Agenda’ went to Sampson and Staniel and were able to get rakes and shovels. The men also took apart wooden pallets for bench building materials and others scavenged scrap wood for the bonfire. Over several days and with the help of other cruisers, we were able to get the beach in good enough shape for a cocktail party and small bonfire. Everyone brought hor’s to share and their own drinks. The 4 musketeers brought beach chairs to leave on the beach for the season. It has been christened Pirate Beach after one of our friends boats because the owner, Jim, was very involved with the beach last year. Jim is coming again and boy will he be surprised by what we all have accomplished! He is bringing a folding table to add to the “furnishings”. There is even talk of a simple ladies toilet enclosure. Stay tuned. Our only problem is several of the younger pigs from pig beach down the way have found this beach. So we are trying to scare them off because we don’t want to encourage them- they can bite! Today, the four of us took the trash debris in our dinghies from the beach to the dump and brought back more firewood for the cause. Tomorrow, we all plan to go to Sampson for a delicious Xmas dinner.