Bahamas: Abacos
Published on Sunday, 10 May 2015 04:49 | | 
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| | Hits: 23562Abacos
1st May to 18th June 2015
1 Cherokee Point:
1st May 2015
Crossing from Eleuthera to Abaco with changing seas, winds and lots of rain.
Close to our arrival the wind completely died down.
Beautiful turquoise water of Little Bay at Cherokee Point
Late afternoon walk on the beach
On arrival we were greeted by a school of dolphins swimming around Vagabund
2 North Lynyard Cay
2nd May 2015
Fresh fish for tonight!
Anchored at North Lynyard Cay
Bottles attached to the net with “I was here” message along with pieces of wash up debris.
Possible “Braaiplek” for our 31st May Republic day celebrations.
Snorkeled Sandy Cay. It looked like an aquarium with big coral fish including a curious reef shark. We will revisit in better light conditions to take more pictures.
3 Little Harbour
3rd to 6th May 2015
With the unsettled weather predicted we decided to move onto a mooring in Little Harbour. Last night we most probably experience gusts up to 35 knots and raining was pouring down in buckets. Today is much more settled with periodic showers of rain.
Pete’s Pub is a unique bar/restaurant
The old lighthouse is now abandoned like so many other lighthouses in the Bahamas. Modern technology has made these icons absolute.
We still had time before the bad weather set in to look for some sea glass on the windward side. Sea state has drastically changed from almost a mirror surface to a washing machine. Glad we could make the passage in reasonable weather.
Little Harbour’s entrance
Having time to bake some rusks for Zack.
4 Sandy Cay to Elbow Cay
6th to 7th May 2015
Exploring with our dinghy at the Tilloo cut inlet we found a Nurse shark, Stingray and a Turtle swimming underneath the dinghy.
At the reef of Sandy Cay was interesting formations and a lot of reef fishes.
We found our deserted island with the most beautiful blue water at Pelican Cay at the North Cut between Lynyard Cay and Tilloo Cay.
Palm Trees and Blue water!!!
Hopetown in Elbow Cay:
A Candy striped lighthouse visible from far in a distance.
Hopetown is a quaint little town with narrow streets with cascading bougainvillea, vacation homes and shops.
5 Man of War Cay to Fowl Cay
8th May to 9th May 2015
Old Scopleys Rock is a small crescent shaped harbour at the north end of Man of War Cay. On the beach was an outlook point with a table. On one of the roof rafters we found the sign: From the rising of the sun to its going down “The Lords name is to be praised” Ps 113: 3. On the bench was a “Jar of Hope”. Awesome!! (www.internationalgospelmissionabaco.org)
Zack could not withstand the crystal clear water on the Atlantic side. He had to take a late afternoon swim.
Snorkeling on some of the best reef of Aboco’s are behind Fowl Cay.
Parrot fishes are in abundance on these reefs.
Our first encounter with a Hogfish.
A school of small fish decided to follow me and trailed me for a while. Thunder interrupted our snorkeling and we had to make a run back to Vagabund.
On the beach of Fowl Cay a swimming pool form on high tide.
I was spoiled on Mother’s day with my favorite brunch: Eggs Benedict.
6 Great Guana Cay to Manjac Cay
10th May to 16th May 2015
We walked over to Nippers at Great Guana Cay.
At Spoil Cay we picked up a lot of small shells.
Loggerhead cut to Whale cut.
At No Name Cay are a group of pigs that loved my rusks.
At Green Turtle Cay is the small historic town New Plymouth.
This is a postcard town with colorful houses, churches and restaurants
Scuba diving with Brendal’s Dive Centre. First a wreck dive at the San Jacinto Wreck and after that a reef dive
At Manjack Cay North Bay a Nurse Shark and a Ray waits eagerly for some scraps.
The Ray eating out of your hand
Lazy afternoon in the warm shallow water at Manjack Beach
A whole day of fishing in deep ocean water took us back to Elbow Cay.While working a school of fish indicated with diving birds we managed to catch a Yellow Fin Tuna and a 10kg Wahoo, later in the day we managed to catch an additional three Dorados.
7 Michael and Cathri’s Visit
17th May to 24th May 2015
Our son Michael and his wife Cathri flew in from South Africa to spend a week with us on Vagabund
Pelican Cay beach
A Ray swimming under the dingy
Hopetown is a quaint little town with narrow streets with cascading bougainvillea, vacation homes and shops.
Lunch at Cap’n Jack in Hopetown (Elbow Cay)
Beautiful houses in Hopetown
On top of the lighthouse in Hopetown. Built in 1836 —
A panoramic view of the bay from the lighthouse
Celebrating of Magda's Birthday
20th May 2015
Four SA boats in Scopley Rock bay of Man of War Cay (Panache, Rat Catcher, Island Explorer and Vagabund).
We start the day with coffee and rusks on the beach where I received my presents from the family.
I was spoiled with eggs benedict for breakfast.
At Fowl Cay at high tide we enjoyed the bath. Andre and Alison joined us.
Birthday cake served in the water.
Snorkeling afterwards at the seaside of Fowl Cay
At the end of the day we celebrated at Nippers at Great Guana Cay with South African Sailor friends (Island Explorer, Panache, Rat Catcher and Khya Moya). On our way to Nippers
Nippers at Great Guana Cay at the ocean side of the island.
Simultaneously arrival of our food
Special thanks to all our sailor friends, Michael and Cathri for sharing my birthday with me. Making it a special day.
The following evening sunset from the beach
Fowl Cay: Snorkeling and diving
22nd May 2015.
It was a beautiful sunshine day with the sea almost as flat as a mirror. Vagabund and Rat Catcher were anchored between the reefs on the Atlantic Ocean side of Fowl Cay.
On the diving buoys on the Southern side we snorkeled the reefs with Michael and Cathri and managed to scuba dive with Alison and Andre on the Northern buoys.
The water was crystal-clear. Michael and Cathri were expanding their exploration.
A turtle swimming by was the bonus for our snorkel.
We joined André and Alison for a scuba dive, A Nassau Grouper was swimming with us for almost the whole dive. Loved to be touched.
A Grouper
We saw different reef sharks. One was patrolling the reef and only swim past us. The next one was following us to the shallower reefs and circled us a few times while going back to the dingy. According to a local dive instructor these reef sharks are local residence at this dive spot.
8 Treasure Cay
23 to 24th May 2015
The last day of Michaels and Cathri’s visit was spending at Treasure Cay.
Treasure Cay beach was voted one of the 10 best beaches in the region. It has soft white sand with warm turquoise water .
Michael and Cathri were playing in the water.
We were enjoying sundowners at the water edge overlooking the marina. Vagabund is awaiting us in the background.
Last breakfast on Vagabund
Saying our goodbyes at the taxi on their way to the airport. It was a week that flew by. We enjoyed every moment.
Treasure Cay golf Course
24th May 2015
We played 18 holes.
Dick Wilson designed Treasure Cay Golf Course. This golf course with its tight fairways and unforgiving rough were a good test for our rusty golf skills. We enjoyed playing the course.
Bonefish at Marls on the bight of Abaco
27th May 205
After months of trying Zack finally got his illusive bonefish on a fly.
After the ice was broken another two bonefish find their way to the boat. Legendary Ronnie Sawyer was used as a Bonefish guide.
9 Manjack Cay: SA boats in the Bahamas with Opskop 2015
28th May to 1st June 2015
Nine SA boats gathered at Manjack Cay (Northern Abaco in the Bahamas) for a Opskop 2015. Photo taken from the top of the mast of Vagabund
John Aldworth: “Six weeks ago on Compass Cay in Exumas, Bahamas, three SA boats (Vagabund, Panache and Khya Moya) got together for a typical beach braai. It was soooo much fun that an idea was spawned to gather as many SA boats together that were in the Bahamas area, to celebrate Republic Day with a beach braai. Well perfect weather was provided by The Almighty and NINE boats gathered in Manjack Cay, Abaco for the opskop of note. The boats were dressed for the occasion and a wonderful time was had by all.”
The venue was decorated with SA flags
The group: Island Khya, Vagabund, Panache, Khya Moya, Alleycat, Rat Catcher, Island Explorer and Shiloh.
A starter was traditional Boerewors made in California.
Braaimaster Allen
Listening to Afrikaans music and appreciate each other’s company.
Brett: “ Each and every person clubbed in and we had a fantastic time, danced, played games and floated, talking and laughing in the water. What a lovely day.”
Traditional food in abundance
Deserts: “Melktert, Souskluitjies and Broodpoeding”
The three best dressed Opskoppers
Each girl received boat sandals with “Opskop” from Holi for the occasion
Ladies
Talking heads with an ocean visitor joining us.
Eating out of my hand.
The day after the Opskop
The next day we gathered four dinghies to snorkel the barrier reef close to Manjack Cay.
School of Doctor Fish
At the end of the day we went in different directions. Vagabund had a lazy afternoon sail with the spinnaker to Powell Cay up North.
10 Powell Cay to Allan Cay (Outer Northern islands of Abaco)
1st June to 5th June 15
Utilizing the late afternoon breeze from Manjack to Powell Cay.
Walking through the Beautiful forest of Powell Cay to the eastern side of the island with Riaan and Brenda of Island Khya.
Vagabund and Island Khya anchored in front of Coopers Town.
Coopers town is a true Bahamian village not affected by tourism.
Sunset in Allan Cay with Vagabund and Rat Catcher
Allan Cay’s traditional trees where visiting sailors hang some mementos indicating their visit to the Northern Bahamas. Vagabund, Rat Catcher and Island Kaya.
Zack is high up in the tree to ensure a special place for our driftwood signs.
11 Moraine Cay
6th June 2015
Moraine Cay is truly one of the Crown Jewels of the Abacos with her two white sand beaches and blue water.
Alison and André joined us for flapjacks on Vagabund.
Sunset at Moraine Cay
Moraine Island was surrounded by crystal clear blue water. The handful villas on the island were not vacated and we had the whole island for ourselves.
André is enjoying a bottomless cup of beauty.
There are extensive reefs to the immediate East and North of Moraine Cay that we snorkeled the next morning.
I was surrounded by a school of fish.
12 Abaco: Double Breasted Cays to Grand Cays (The last visited Bahamian islands of our 2015 sailing season)
9th June to 11th June 2015
At the northernmost rim of the Bahama islands is the grouping of Walkers, Grand and Double Breasted Cays at the outer limits of the Abaco chain.
A Spanish Mackerel caught on the banks
Fashion runs high amongst the girls to dress up by wearing colour-matching shoes to their costumes and clothes. You cannot buy them so you have to make them. What is so nice about boat shoes that they do not fill your cupboard but go into a jewelry box.
Double breasted Cays are a grouping of small cays and rocks with untouched beauty ashore.
Rosie’s Place Marina at Little Grand Cay
Colorful houses overlooking the bay of Little Grand Cay
Big Daddy Restaurant provided our late afternoon meal that were of the best cracked conch in the Abacos.
On our way to scuba at the Pillars we encountered a waterspout. The dive was abandoned and the weather closed in over us.
Talking heads conclude our happy hour of chit chat.
A full season of talking heads can make you stand on your head.
André and Alison of Rat Catcher dinghy off into the sunset.
Zack first blow of the conch. Honoring and saying thank you to God our Creator for a fantastic sailing season.
The end of our 2015 islands sailing season. The Bahamas concluded our best sailing season till now. Meeting up with old friends, making new friends, visiting family and enjoying nature.
Hello Florida here we come!!
Florida (Storing on the dry)
Published on Monday, 07 November 2016 14:14 | | | | Hits: 4756
| | Hits: 4756Florida (Storing on the dry)
14th June 2015.
We had an easy downwind sail with Rat Catcher with tame seas from Grand Cay to Jacksonville. The morning of 14th June at 7h00 we entered the St John River.
Our first bridge was Napoleon Bonaparte Bridge of 169 foot.
One cannot think that another one and half Vagabund’s can be on top of our mast before you reach the bridge clearance height.
We anchored south of the Matthews Bridge at Exchange Island at Jacksonville to be close for clearing customs tomorrow. A short dingy ride over the river and then 4,5km to customs. Beautiful nature on the Eastern side and a busy highway on the Northern side.
17th June 15
Feeling blessed. We went to rent a cheapy till we fly back to SA. They needed to get the Camaro back to the airport and asked us if we would not mind to upgrade the cheapy to the convertible for the same price unlimited miles. Well I still don't know how I am going to get our four big suitcases in there and I don’t think we are going to spend as much time preparing Vagabund as we should. What the heck... America here we come!!!
21st June 2015
Father's Day: Recently promoted — feeling thankful
22nd June 2015
Unfortunately Vagabund were stroked by lightning last night at 2 am moored to a pier in Green Cove Springs.
Most of our electronics were fried and pieces of the wind direction indicator dropped onto the deck.
We are thankful that we came to no physical harm
Florida one of the lightning capitals of the world. The weather info available is amazing. We could see the intense lightning storm approaching us and there were nothing we could do about it. We were like a rabbit in the headlights of an oncoming car.
Vagabund is moored in the middle of the second pier on the North. The map shows lightning strikes hitting the ground as the storm passed over us.
24th June 2015
Celebrating Riaan and Brenda's over land cruising home.
Ford F250 V10 Camper. With Island Kaya on the dry, cruising on the sea is now changed to cruising on the land. Riaan and Brenda: Congratulations and enjoy.
Celebrating with them the beginning of their new season
Friday 26th June 2015
An Aircon in this heat!!!
Instead of a dehumidifier we bought a portable aircon
Going to cool us down
(already from 32 to 29 degrees inside)
Keep Vagabund dry on the hard and us warm in January in the cold....
Aircon traveling in style!!
Not pretty but I am smiling!!!
Saturday 27th June 2015
World of Golf Hall of Fame in St Augustine Florida
Ernie Els
Garry Player one of the greatest golfers. He has done SA proud and has a whole section dedicated to him.
Mr fitness proofs his point by becoming the oldest person at 77 by posing on a cover sport magazine.
The crystals represent a perfect swing in the trophy tower.
Saturday evening we visited the drag strip adjacent to the marina to experience some local entertainment. One of the dragsters equals the course record of 4,98s for a quarter mile. One of the funny cars achieved a top speed of 130 miles per hour
Sunday 28th June 2015
Early morning exercise by exploring the forest trails with our bicycles.
Hauling of Vagabund
30th June 2015
After rain for the whole of Monday we could only haul out on Tuesday morning.
First her mast was removed. With everybody knows exactly what to do it was done in less than an hour.
Vagabund without her mast ready for hauling.
Madge helped to hold and secure the boat with the mooring lines.
She was part of the crew and did her part. Her salary is a good plate of food and lots of love.
Vagabund going to the dry.
7 July 2015
On our way home via NY
The Camaro is fully loaded with all our luggage.
On Jacksonville International Airport
Stay overnight in NY before we are flying out to SA tomorrow
Boarded and ready to go
Feeling blessed
Excited to go back to SA and to see family and friends
Back in SA 2015
Published on Monday, 07 November 2016 15:59 | | | | Hits: 8766
| | Hits: 8766Back in South Africa 2015
July 15 to Dec 2015
Excited to be back in SA and to see family and friends
17-19 July 15
Pinacle Point in Mosselbay.
Some quality time with our children and Zandré our grandson.
I have to join Zandré
Walk to the beach
Ouma teach me to listen to the sea
The end of a precious weekend! Last minute playtime at Wakaberry before our flight back from George.
26th August 15
Foot operation
With my foot in bandages it is so much easier than in plaster.
6 weeks for recovery.
6 Sept 2015
My mother pass away
“Ons Moeksie se se plekkie is nou leeg hier op aarde maar dit is net tot ons haar weer sien as die Koning ons kom haal
Sy het ons lewens verryk met die wyse waarop sy die Here gedien het. Sy was vir ons n voorbeeld met haar blymoedigheid.”
Love you always
17th Oct 15
Fun time with Zandre
We had such a blessed time building memories with oupa & ouma Berg while Andre is in America. Although we still his Dadda a lot
30th November 15
Mozambique
Afrer 2 days of hard work our beach house is finally finished.
4h15 the morning before we return home
6th Desember 15
What a wonderful time with Zandré
“Ons het met duisendpote gespeel en Ouma was saam in die sandput met verfblikke as ons stoele! Kosbare tyd!!”
December in Jeffreys Bay
25th Des 15
30th December 2015
Feeling blessed! Golf with Zack and Michael at St Francis Links Golf Estate
1st Jan 16
So thankfull and feeling blessed
1st eighteen hole golf op Swartenbosch after my foot operation.
35 points and a score of 100
Zack only won me on the last hole!!!
3rd Jan 16
Quality time with family
Celebrating Michael's birthday. Watching the movie "Point Brake" and enjoying 1 kg prawns at "Catch of the Day"
5th Jan 16
Birthday wish to my habby Zack:
“Baie geluk met jou verjaarsdag vandag!
Dankie vir elke dag se saamwees, saam lag, saam ons droom uitleef van nuwe plekke ontdek met seile gespan, saam kleinkinders te geniet, saam n nuwe droom van huis bou kan doen! Saam by die Here se voete te kan sit! Saam golf te speel!! Jy is my beste pal! Love you lots and lots! Mag ons gespaar bly om saam oud te word!!”
Celebrating Zack's birthday and saying our goodbyes before leaving for Florida
10th Jan 16
Celebrations with Family and friends
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Florida - Repairing Vagabund
Published on Monday, 07 November 2016 16:52 | | | | Hits: 6922
| | Hits: 6922Repairing Vagabund
On the 22nd June 2015 Vagabund were stroked by lightning at 2 am moored to a pier in Green Cove Springs, Florida. Most of our electronics were fried.
In January 2016 we returned to Florida to start repairing the damage
16th Jan 16
Back on Vagabund
Getting nowhere slowly
Thought sailing was without a fixed schedule but repairing Vagabund is a bigger task than we thought
18th Jan 2016
Feeling blessed
What a privilege to attend a service of worship, communion and teaching from God’s Word at Christ's Church in Fleming Island close to Green Cove Springs in Florida. The first session of a series Freeway: a not so perfect guide to freedom.
2nd February 2016
A perfect sunshine winter afternoon spend on Fleming Island golf course in Florida. A beautiful layout course with fast true greens
3rd February 2016
Being active!!! Zack installed a small 110V inverter with two 110V plugs on Vagabund Now we could buy 110V appliances
I was spoiled with a baby portable vacuum cleaner. Hight 2 and half coke tins The boat was cleaned in a jiffy with a big smile on my face. Added to that was 3 loads of washing
5th Febr 2016
Kennedy Space Center
The 5th Febr 2016 on a cold winters morning we had to leave at 4 o’clock to see the (possible) launch of a rocket at Kennedy Space Center. Bad weather and technical glitches stayed away and we were exited as “we have a go” was announced five minutes before the launch. The ULA Atlas V rocket was launched at 8h38 transporting the last of 12 GPS satellites to its position. The sound barrier was broken 76 seconds later.
Minutes later the fading white plume was the only evidence still visible in the air of the launch. With the stands slowly vacating we remained seated, looked at each other and Zack said I would not have thought that it could be over so fast. I was thinking “do it again I promise I will watch more carefully this time” We ended up alone together on the stands checking our photo’s to have a sort of replay.
The rest of the day we toured the NASA facilities. It was awesome to pick up the impact made on a Nation by taking up their Presidents challenge: “We are going to put a man on the moon”. The impact it had on technology worldwide is massive and we all benefit from it today…and now the new challenge to the world: “We are taking humans to Mars…. Who is in?”
Outside the Space Shuttle Atlantis building you are greeted by a full-scale upright replica (184 foot tall) of the space shuttle’s rockets and fuel tank.
The actual Space Shuttle Atlantis is displayed at 43.21 degrees (count down) with her payload doors open.
A replica of Hubble Space Telescope
We took a NASA bus tour for a drive to view the different launch pads.
The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) is designed to assemble large space vehicles such as the space shuttles. It is one of the largest buildings in the world by volume and opening doors.
7th Febr 2016
Coping with the cold front:
At only 12 degrees we eat ice cream and are still deciding if we are going to drive back from town with the roof up or down!
Trip South
12th Febr 2016
St Petersburg
Magda is enjoying her favorite breakfast in St Petersburg, Fl with her summer clothes on.
13th Febr 2016
We visited the Salvador Dali Museum in St Petersburg and enjoyed his creativity. Setting new bench marks in art
Traveling through the Everglades of Florida we could not miss out on the opportunity to be on board an airboat
14th February 2016
Riaan at last my Ihop breakfast in Marathon Florida Keys. Good value for money for $8. Half the price for double the volume. Only on water for the rest of the day.
Today we road cruised down the Keys, visited the most Southern tip of USA, watched the sun set at Sunset Pier in Key West. Enjoying traveling with my wife.
15th February 2016
On our way to Miami Boat Show
Meeting up with Rudi Pretorius of Maverick Yachts and Andreas the original Vagabund owner on Bossa Nova.
16th February 2016
Feeling blessed for being safe
Driving north in Miami with Tornado warnings
Heard over news of tornados that had passed through 15 min ahead of us
As it started to clear we just see debris some places as we drive further north
27th February 2016
Feeling blessed and excited We are back in the water The mast is going back on Tuesday Still busy installing the new upgraded electronics Looking forward in exploring what they can do Now for the last little bit of fault findings and sea trials
Looks like total chaos! Busy pulling new wires
Upgraded electronics and new instruments
On our way to the water
Zack's smile tells a story!!! We are no longer land rats!!!
We are back in the water!!
11th March 2016
"Omstandighede bepaal nie jou geluk nie maar hoe jy na die storm in jou lewe kyk. Om n donker wolk is n silwer rand . Ons het storms nodig om dit wat ons het te waardeer en God se hand te sien! Met Vagabund se regmaak hierdie seilseisoen het ons geleer dat dit is soos om hekkies te hardloop. Elke dag het n hekkie of selfs n paar hekkies Die wenpaal is in sig!! Vandag se hekkie is alge in die diesel . Word deur n filter gepomp en skoon gemaak"
20th March 2016
Feeling blessed:
After two months Vagabund is ready to explore again!
I am so proud of Zack!
Before (working) and after photos:
Having a Navigation station with new electronics to play with. Feeling excited!!
Dinner on Vagabund. Saying goodbye to friends in style!
Last happy hour in Green Cove Springs!
Ready to receive guests again!
Zack catching a catfish! Back in action
22nd March 2016
Using the tides we arrived in Metropolitan Park Marina in Jacksonville just before sunset.
29th March 2016
Exploring St Augustine:
Lying on a mooring at St Augustine municipal marina
and tour the oldest city in USA
Castillo de San Marcos
Overlooking the marina
The narrowest street in USA
The Easter parade on Sunday afternoon
Lunch at a beer bar with a special draft out of their collection from over the world
A Beautiful street taken from our drive on the red train tour
A 600 year old tree
The old jail: completed in 1891 and built by the railroad magnate Henry Flagler to resemble a fine hotel. Inside is the sad story of criminals held in these cells
Locked up in this cage for 48 hours swinging in the tree was punishment for many prisoners
Visiting the Pirate and Treasure museum and explore the golden age of piracy
3rd April 2016
St Augustine is a city that I have fallen in love with:
Small restaurants everyone with its own vibe, beer bars, museums, music, art, shops and so many more
Michael Jordan
Britney Spears
Cuban restaurant. There is so many more: Greek, Italian......The red train that we have took the previous day to tour the city
Villano beach where you park your car (not even a 4x4) next to your towel on the sand!
The lighthouse
Spanish El Galeon is in the harbour
50m and 400 tons. They sail around the world
Rigging, sails and woodwork are impressive
Rhythm and rib festival this weekend
Eating 1kg of ribs while listening to the bands
11th April 2016
Busy bees on Vagabund:
Hauled out at St Augustine Marine Center. The last week we were busy with preparations of leaving Vagabund on the dry for the hurricane season.
The genoa and main sail were taken down and folded
Taken out of the water with the hydraulic trailer
The mast is been taken down with a crane from Jacksonville.
Unstepping the mast
Mast on the ground
Mast stored under Vagabund. Six strap downs to keep Vagabund secured in part of the hurricane plan.
12th April 2016
Feeling excited
First leg of returning back to South Africa! Looking forward enjoying our grandchildren! Our second grandson is due beginning of May!
2nd Sept 2016
Feeling thank full
Tropical storm Hermine missed our boatyard in St Augustine in Florida with a 100 miles. Thanks for our South African friends (Andrè, John and Holli) for helping stow away things on Vagabund and sharing news and keeping us updated.
6th October 2016
Hurricane Matthew is strengthening to a cat 4 hurricane as it is approaching Florida.
Almost one meter of rain in 3 to 4 days. More than the annual rainfall in NW province in SA were we are currently holding prayer meetings for rain to break the drought.
Till now 11 Deaths already recorded in Haiti
Hurricane is closing in expecting the eye of the storm passing St Augustine, Fl around late Thursday night with the eye of the storm projected less than 70 km away.
Wind speeds over 200 km/h gusting more than 250 km/h expected.
Not a sight often seen. Walmart shelfs been emptying out as locals prepare themselves for the hurricane.
Evacuation has already started.
8th October 2016
Some feedback. Hurricane Matthew has passed. Our biggest concern is storm surge. We will only know the extend of the storm damage later over the weekend.
St Augustine Marine Center from the air before the storm in about May 2016
Actual position of Vagabund earlier the season as can be seen on google earth in May 2016
We are only 4 ft 6 inches above water level. The storm surge predicted was between 5 to 9 ft. We will only know later over the weekend what was the extend of the storm surge. (Photo before the storm)
During the hurricane
Streets in St Augustine
8 Oct 16
Soli deo Gloria! We serve a Awesome God! Thank you for all the people praying with us! Our hearts go out to the people in Haiti.
Message from Brett and Gideon:
“All SA boats in St Aug Marina; we were able to get into the yard only to look. Your boats are all fine and heres pics showing. We went on each boat and looked for damage - thank the Lord God no damage. Our prayers were answered!”
9th Oct 2016
After the hurricane
Aerial view of the boatyard indicating Vagabund's position. Island Explorer is the boat to our right.
One of the many damaged structures inside the boatyard.
Vagabund with some washed up debris against her. The boatyard was completely flooded with an estimated one meter of water. So thankful no major damage to our boat.
A photo from after the storm (location unknown)
The municipality doc was much more exposed to the storm surge.
Our ❤️ goes out to the owners of the damaged and sunken boats.