What does a sailor do when their boat is for sale?
Enjoy the Bahamas of course.
But first, Matt must know what the wind strength is.
Then, off with our kiting friends to enjoy the water.
Thanks again to everyone who has helped us get the word out and to those who have contacted us about Mattina.
Thanks for reading. . .
Keeping fit is a challenge, and sometimes nature dictates the schedule. While living in the islands, the moon, tide and weather all tell me when and how I can exercise.
On a full moon, with a high tide, the beach will be soft and make running, let’s say, unpleasant. The sand forces ankles and knees into odd angles.
With no moon and high tide, the beach might be in better condition, so it’s worth a try.
No moon, low tide is the best time to run. The tide is out, the beach is wide and hard. Running barefoot is fantastic.
If I can’t run, I like to swim laps.
Sunny days are best. I like to see what’s in the water around me and cloudy days make that difficult. I’ll admit I might be a little afraid of sharks. I figure if they can see me, they won’t be interested in me. If the water is dark or murky, a shark might mistake me for lunch. Wind and current also affect when I can swim. Too much of either, and it’s not longer fun.
If I can’t swim laps, I like to kayak.
Wind and current dictate when and where I can go. The height of the tide doesn’t really matter, and I don’t usually kayak at night (although I have and a full moon makes this fun), so the moon doesn’t often come into play.
If I can’t kayak, then I like to do beach yoga.
High tide makes the beach wet, so not a good time. Too much sun and it’s too hot. Clouds are good for this activity.
If I can’t do any of these, I sulk. Just kidding. I can always read, write, blog, walk the dog, or hang with friends. The only activity Farley, my soft-coated wheaten terrier, can’t do with me is swim laps. He does an awesome downward dog.
Happy New Year 🙂
Thanks for reading . . .
Farley here.
You may think I look like I’m trying to hide, but what I’m trying to do is give my humans a message.
Usually if I look my cutest they give me what I want.
We’re underway and it’s windy. Twenty-five knots on the nose windy. Out comes my tether, and I know it’s about to get worse.
So here I am, not hiding, but looking cute.
Now, as I lay here with my head tucked under the step, my humans discuss the situation.
First, they decide to put a reef in the main. That helps a bit, and the boat settles down.
Then my ears perk up. I hear something good.
“We could turn around,” Kristina suggests.
“Hmmm,” Mathew responds.
Not the answer I’m looking for.
“You could spend the afternoon windsurfing,” Kristina says.
Now the grin on Mathew’s face tells me he likes the idea.
Kristina sweetens the deal. “I’ll make you lunch while you get your gear ready.”
And just like that, my humans tack, turn the sailboat north, and head to a lovely, lovely calm anchorage.
See, being cute does get a dog what he wants.
I hope all you dogs and cats out there had a good Christmas.
Woof Woof
Farley here.
My life is so exciting, and sometimes that excitement seems to happen on the trampoline of my Lagoon 380 Catamaran.
I hear the roar of a kite coming close and I bolt from a deep sleep on the floor of the port cabin to fully alert in seconds. I know that noise.
This usually means a large, bird-like thing is chasing on of my humans.
I reach the tramp, looking left and right for the danger. It’s hard to hear through all this wind. My stomach is churning, my heart is racing.
And then, I can’t help myself. A bark explodes from my throat.
“Go faster,” I bark at Bruce. He’s the guy in trouble.
He zooms by our bow.
“Look out. It’s coming!” I bark.
The silly man waves as he rips by.
Then, in a sudden move, Bruce turns around. Unlucky for him the flying creature turned with him.
“It’s still there,” I bark, sure in the knowledge Bruce can hear me and will speed up.
They keep going unit they are out of sight. There’s nothing for me to do but to go back to my napping.
You’ll be happy to know I saw Bruce at dinner later, and he’s fine. I guess he outran the monster.
Woof Woof.
Farley Here,
I’m the kind of dog who likes to be included in every activity.
It’s summer. We’re in Canada at the Lake. There’s a boat. There’s a tube. There’s flat water.
I know what’s coming.
“Can I go? Can I go? Can I go?” I bark.
Kristina rolls her eyes at me. Yes, she actually rolls her eyes. I take that to mean my question is so silly it doesn’t warrant an answer.
But I’m too smart for her, and I jump before she can get me.
One of my humans, Oliver, doesn’t seem to mind sharing the tube with me, but here comes Kristina.
I’m thinking, boo hoo, it’s back to the dock for me, but she surprises me and lets me come in the boat for the adventure.
At least I get to howl at the kids with they fly behind the boat.
Humans are silly and they do silly things.
Woof Woof.
Farley here.
I’m at the lake this week. That’s a cottage for eastern Canadians and a cabin for western Canadians, but to a dog it’s a place on the water.
Now humans are strange. They like to run, scream and jump off the end of the dock. See my concerned look?
How am I not supposed to be excited about this? My humans tell me not to bark as they jump in.
Well, duh. Don’t they understand they can’t breathe under the water? I need to tell them.
“Stop,” I bark.
“Don’t jump,” I bark.
“No barking,” Kristina says and then like a crazy woman, she jumps in.
Well pardon me for caring. I chase her. And look what happens.
I don’t like swimming. Let me stress, “I DON’T LIKE SWIMMING.”
And yet, here I am chasing my humans. Kids, adults, they’re all nuts.
The things I do for love.
Woof Woof!
Farley here.
So my humans tell me it’s getting hot in the Bahamas and it’s time to start the sail north. Sound exciting? Not really, for a dog anyway.
When we travel, Matt and Kristina sail the boat and I do a lot of sleeping. Sometimes we anchor for the night and there’s not even a beach to go to. Sometimes there isn’t even land in sight over night. They’re crazy.
My problem. I don’t sleep well when Kristina is awake at night. I sit in the cockpit waiting and waiting to go to bed, but I just can’t do it while she’s in the cockpit. She needs my constant protection. Matt, on the other hand, can stay up all my himself.
As we head to Canada, Kristina promises none of this . . .
And lots of this . . .
But should I believer her?
Woof Woof
The magic of swimming with a Ray.
This ray kindly gave us a beautiful show at Sand Dollar Beach, George Town, Bahamas.
Farley here.
No matter how hard I try I can’t catch my human on his windsurfer.
First there’s the problem that I’m afraid of deep water, so I try the beach approach.
“Wait,” I bark, but he doesn’t.
He gibes and I have to go running the other way.
“Wait,” I bark again, and still he ignores me.
“So don’t wait,” I bark. “I’m going to roll around and get sandy.”
“Good luck getting this off my fur before I get on board.”
Humans are soooo easy to drive crazy.
By the way, did you notice how crowded the beach is – not!
Woof Woof.
In George Town Bahamas. One of the joys of cruising is experiencing the local culture.
The excitement is building for a week of racing in the George Town harbour. The first boats arrived last week and more arrived today with a big entrance.
This big boy came right through the anchorage with lots of hooting and hollering.
For more information see: The National Family Island Regatta.
Thanks for reading . . .
Creative Story Editors 