It’s been a hectic couple of weeks getting Mattina loaded with our winter provisions.
One of my favourite outings is a trip to the Vero Beach Farmer’s Market.
The farmer picks the grapefruit and oranges the day before the market. There is nothing like eating fruit that fresh. The fruit hasn’t sat in a warehouse, truck, or grocery store. It’s a special treat for us.
We get enough for about six weeks.
Our fridge can’t store bulk amounts so I’ve learned a few tricks over the years. Oranges and grapefruit can be stored unrefrigerated in a dark space. To make them last longer, I wrap each piece of fruit in tin foil. This will keep the fruit for 6 weeks, hence the reason I stock for that length of time.
Now that we are ready to go, the weather isn’t cooperating. The next part of our journey means crossing the Gulf Stream. The stream runs south to north, and we don’t want wind against current – it creates sloppy seas and big waves. Wind out of the east doesn’t work because we’d be slamming into the waves. We certainly don’t want squally weather. Really, we’d like a beam reach at 15 knots.
Is that too much to ask for?
Thanks for reading . . .
Creative Story Editors 
Oh, yes. Provisioning and the gulf stream. Fond memories. We’ve finally found something better, though I wish I could provision for six weeks. However, the fresh fruits and vegetables here in the islands are fantastic. We’re in the middle of one season ending and one beginning, but when you can get fresh bananas, and green figs. Yum.
Our last passage was 120 nm, and only 3 hours of motoring. No bashing at all. Now that is the life. And, no I don’t think 15 knot winds and easy seas are too much to ask.
Enjoy and safe passage.
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Your passage sounds like it was a dream for sailing. We’ll only cover around 177 km to get to Nassau. Should take us about 28 (maybe a little more) hours. Looking like mid next week. I may gave to get more fruit if we eat it all this week!
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I love your blog and Farley so I have nominated you for an award! you can collect it here: http://baileyboatcat.com/2012/11/29/awards/
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That is a pretty neat storage trick! Are the oranges still pretty good after six weeks?
Wishing you that steady breeze. 🙂
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The oranges are great after six weeks. It’s amazing how well this works.
Steady breeze – we’re getting one all right. So strong that we can’t poke our boat out into the Atlantic. Over 20 knots out of the E NE is not a pretty sight in the Gulf Stream.
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