Out islan'

I feel like I’ve finally found my groove in "dis islan’ life". My boat finally feels like home. I know where everything goes and where all the kids sleep. I know how to light the oven and turn on the water maker. I can jibe the genoa and dump the septic. I have confidence in my abilities to do laundry by hand and feed my family from the sea. I can tie a bowline, throw a dock line, hoist a haulyard, and charge the house batteries. I can steer the boat and navigate and hold night watch. I can homeschool my kids and feel like I’m doing more GOOD than harm. I adore my husband again. I’m happy. Hallelujah. I won’t lie...it was a ROUGH start, but, after nearly three months, I can say I am content and comfortable in my life at sea. 

And, I daresay, I enjoy it. 

 Sailing across Lighthouse Reef Atoll after leaving the Blue Hole National Monument with Half Moon Cay in the foreground. 

 Jumping off the bow while underway in 5 feet of water on Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Then they would grab onto the paddle board that was trailing off of the transom, climb up the sugar scoop and do it again. All under sail. So fun. 

Half Moon Cay. Home of the Belize Audabon Society's Red-Footed Booby and Frigate Bird Sanctuary. Awesome! The homeschooling field trip possibilities are endless in this tiny, amazing country. You MUST visit this FABULOUS country some day. You simply must. MUST!

 Exploring the sandy paths of Half Moon Cay. 

Iguana on Half Moon Cay.

A Mama Frigate feeding her chick. 

A baby Booby peering down from her precariously perched nest. "Are you my mommy?"

The boys have become wonderfully proficient with their Hawaiian slings bringing home dinner regularly. Beer batter fish fingers with the Culbecks' fry sauce have become a favorite. Although my favorite is hands down grilled snapper fillet with a lemon butter caper sauce. Mmm! Shut up. SO good.


P.S. As dey say here in da Islan's, "Happy Mudda's Day, Mum."