R & R AND THE 4TH JULY

"R & R" stands for remembrance, reflection, revelation, but mostly for "rum & recovery". The STRANDED NAKED PARTY on the beach at Fiddle Cay, was an outstanding success. At the end of the day, the volunteers cleaned the beach, removed all the trash and disposables and left it pristine once again. The next day, Bob and Patricia brought their houseboat into the inner harbor at Green Turtle Cay (picture below), to continue with the festivities of RACE WEEK. We all woke up on the 4th of July, to an anchorage overshadowed by one yacht's huge US flag and a bunch of smaller ones on the forestay. This is how to celebrate in style. ARITA, for her part, hoisted the signal flags and a bunch of international ones, to give the appearance, no doubt from a distance, of 'chinese laundry'. Admittedly the China flag was one of them. (You can double click on any of the photos to enlarge them). Barely had all of the competing yachts made it to the start line for the first race, when a squall moved in with a vengeance. Temperatures went from 100 degrees to 50, in minutes, as very cold rain lashed all those on deck. Some claimed it was the best cure for a hang-over, others said they were forced to take the cure. The array of competing yachts is amazing, including the Bahamian sloops, with their huge sail areas, and their "pry", which slides from side to side during each tack as the crew clamber for a butt-hold. Some butts just don't hold, which becomes a factor in crew selection. 'Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, just get your butt down on that stick'.



Hang on Jack, just hang on.....

And you would have to see it to believe it but the race fleet became totally becalmed in the late afternoon. Ghosters on the pond, shimmering in the sun, breatlessly beautiful but breathless just the same. Meantime, back at the ranch the street party is well on the way. The band is grooving, literally. Double click on the 'Rake & Scrape" musician holding the wood saw. There was some serious street dancing well into the night. Even the hypnotic drummers from the Junkanoo returned after dark to bang their drums and our ear drums. Young and old, white and black, cruisers and racers, all got into it. Bare feet and in the dirt.......



Bob & Joan from the yacht "SPLASH" out of Palatka, Florida, on a cat-rigged ketch with half wish-bones (I would have to draw it to explain it, if you didn't know). We have gotten to know them quite well, and they too, danced the night away.

Too hot below, too hot on deck........... this might work......... Shade and breeze, to cool the knees.



And who can resist 'ham & eggs' for breakfast on the 4th July, hand-made by the Queen herself. The ever-lasting American breakfast........ Sunny-side up, served on Bahamian raisin toast.

A humungous decision has been jointly made..................... The next party at Treasure Cay, on the 5th July, is going to have to be without us.................

We need a rest.......