Catching up

We arrived in Fernandina Beach  last Sun around 2 pm and it has been a whirlwind ever since so late in getting this blog out!!  We arrived to find that there had been a water pipe broken on the dock so no water hookup.  We carry a large tank of our own, so that wasn't a huge issue (for awhile) but the electricity pedestal wasn't working , or I should say, we didn't have the correct cord to connect to it.  As a result, we didn't receive the correct one until Tues and the phones, computers etc. all were down or close to down.  Life without cell phones and computers - guess what - we survived!  Mike and Mary were kind enough to charge one of our phones and a dock neighbor offered an elec cord (which was not the right one either) and a step stool to get on/off the boat.  Boating is a real community and it warms your heart that strangers are so generous!!  The tide here can be around 7 ft (the docks float with the tide) but the boat has a steep freeboard  (surface above the water) and we didn't have any steps!!  Walt & Daisy had loaned us a doggie ramp  that their dog no longer uses and Sam has taken to it like  a pro.  Ted is handed off between the two of us.  Both of them have decided this is home, for now. Walt & Daisy arrived Tues eve with the truck  and doggies.  They were so glad to see us as we were to see them!!  However, they had a very good thing going with Aunt Daisy and Uncle Walt.  They have a doggie so they know how to spoil them.  Sure made our trip a lot easier not having to worry about them in a kennel.   Thank you, Daisy & Walt!!  They stayed until Fri am and we had a great time.   Daisy and I were able to spend some "girlie" time together and the guys hung out doing "manly" things.  We have spent the last couple of days cleaning up the boat - amazing how dirty it gets.  The salt water and spray are very corrosive to anything it lands on, so maintenance on a boat is constant.  Wash downs are a way of daily life.  The stainless steel (railings etc.) have been neglected so need to  get after them with some cleaner, as well as the fenders (keep the boat from rubbing against the dock). Yesterday M&M took us to the local farmer's market on Saturdays - beautiful produce and gorgeous baked goods etc.  We stocked up (altho our space is limited - usually need to go to store about every 3 days) and had some kale this eve sautéed with garlic and onion - delicious!!  More tomorrow on a very dirty subject!!??!!