Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, Bahamas

 Now that the bottom paint is done, Duane got busy replacing a sail drive seal.  He checked the oil when we were in Cocoa Beach and had noticed that the oil was a little "milky".  Not an emergency, but had to be addressed.

With all the tape removed, looks nice.  But the white hull needs some attention! 

Prop primed and painted with non-copper bottom paint.

There is a swing out on the beach.....so we had to do that....

To get our photo taken, I just flagged down a couple that was walking by....they ended up being from Denton, NC!! They were there with their extended family enjoying the warm climate.....had a nice chat with them.

We wandered the beach for about an hour before taking the golf cart back.  They  are scheduled to wax the boat in the morning and we should be splashed after that.

Reading my Kindle in the cockpit in the evening before the "No-See-Em's" come out....the fast ferry rumbled by.

Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, Bahamas

 The boat is looking nice!  

 

The workers seem to be meticulous.  Weird watching someone else do this to our boat since we've always done it ourselves!

While the workers were busy at the boat, we just did some more island touring on the golf cart.  I just love the "island houses".

After lunch at Buddha's, we were back to the boat for some afternoon relaxation.  Temps are warm but not uncomfortable.

We've never been on the island at night before - always back to the boat in the anchorage by nightfall.  So we took this opportunity to do a little island tour in the dark.  They really go all out for Christmas decorations.  I'm sure it will get even more intense over the next few weeks. 

But the main reason for the evening venture was to finally visit Papa's Scoops ice cream!  They're only open for a few hours every night.  Only two flavors offered and posted the morning before.  Choices tonight were coconut and butterscotch.  When we arrived, there was a line of golf carts and a kid on a bike in front of us.  

The line quickly moved though....

My large serving of coconut ice cream.....really yummy!

With ice cream in hand, we drove around to look at more of the Christmas lights. 

We were a little shocked to see that the bridge between Spanish Wells and Russell Island was decked out as well!

 

Fun to drive thru the "tunnel" with the golf cart.

Fun day!

Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, Bahamas

 We lucked out - there was a cancellation at R&B Boatyard in Spanish Wells so we gladly filled that slot for new bottom paint.

Robert, one of the owners, and the crew met us at the dock to guide the boat in.

This is a new experience for us in several ways.  We've never had anyone else do the bottom paint, so that is nice!  Also, R&B has a platform lift, not a travel lift.  The huge platform is lowered into the water.  Then Robert goes down on SNUBA and places the support stands.

After all is in place, the platform is slowly raised.

Look at all that algae and growth that was slowing us down!

Soon the boat & platform are almost out of the water.

The workers immediately start the washdown process.

Since we'll be here for a few days, we rented a golf cart....fun touring the island a bit just to pass the time.

We ended up at the Sandbar Grill....it was lunchtime....

And time for our first cold Kalik!!

After a bit more island touring, we came back to see the progress.  They've done a good job sanding and washing.  We're staying out of their way.  They are allowing us to stay on board - which will be interesting since we can't discharge any water.  Paper plates will be in order.

 

Egg Island to Russell Island, Eluethera, Bahamas

 After a lazy morning, we went out for our first fun snorkel of the season.

Out to Egg Reef - it's a huge area north of Eleuthera.  We only saw a tiny portion.

Lots of life - I'll just let you look thru the photos.

 

I spotted and Duane speared our first lobster - nice one!!

After a nice long swim, back to the boat.

Sojourn all alone in the anchorage.

And lunch included a lobster roll for me!!

At nightfall, the winds picked up a bit so we pulled the anchor (windlass working so far!) and eased back to Russell Island for a little more protection in the dark, not my favorite way to travel but uneventful.....