12/09

The chart will give you an idea of where Irelands Eye is docked. You can see the Indian River and the Banana River and then there is the ocean. Cape Canaveral is a little further north. Lots of causeways and bridges which made for a very interesting drive this afternoon. If you look carefully at the picture below you will see the nose of Irelands Eye sticking out. Lots of sail boats here and some that have probably decided to stay. During the day you can watch fishermen throwing their nets into the water and scooping up the fish. Nana went to the perfect Yoga class last night so my muscles are all nice and warm and stretched. Nandad had dinner ready with a bottle of wine- not bad. The evenings have been wonderful to watch the moon and stars so bright Venus and Mars I do believe with the ORion constellation . Mother Nature at her best. Nana and Nandad will return to Franklin tomorrow and hope to return to IE in the new year with a whole new adventure ahead. Merry Christmas to all and a happy New Year.

Lay day yesterday was the perfect R&R day. The EauGallie Yacht Basin on the river is just the most wonderful setting and just screams at you to read a good book. Lots of activity between planning for the boat to stay for a month, engine repairs , ordering parts, and of course always laundry and preparing to head back to Franklin.

12/07

Arrived at Eau Gallie Yacht Basin near Melbourne after leaving NEW Symnra Beach in the fog. Today was the day we actually were successful in capturing the dolphin on video and we were able to take a snap shot of its fin. Today was also the day to watch Manatee cruising right in the ICW channel. At first you think they are dolphin but then you realize they don't have a fin and the move a lot slower with no blowing. There were quite the few sailboats in trouble along the way. If you look slowly and closer you will see the mast beside the marker that is a sailboat . After following the Chesapeake Lady a 49 DEFever all the way to Cocoa we took the lead as our goal was to get a little further. Naturally things started to go a little weird when the starboard engine started to act up. So now we are at Eau Gaille Yacht Basin and will have a mechanic take a look in the morning. On our way home after a lovely dinner Aedan spotted this sign which of course he loved. 

12/06

I.E arrived into New Smyrna Beach Marina after heavy rains, thunder and lightening with reduced visibility so we were glad to see our new neighbor!very thankful for steering down below where we remained nice and dry. The photo of the Beach is after Nana walked about four miles and then had to walk back again over the south causeway. The things we do for exercise. I think she might have been tempted to borrow a bicycle if one had been around! Two miles of Beach was well worth it! We remain on target for final destination on Thursday Stuart. 

12/05

What a perfect day again today. Temperatures in the 80's a wonderful stroll down St Augustine after lunch at the Hurricane Hole , reading on the bridge while the engine filters etc get replaced. Now in case you think it was all fun and relaxation Nana had dinner prepared before 8.30 am, laundry in by 10 am folded and dried by 11.30am- what production! We left Rivers Edge at 1.30 and headed down towards the Matanza River. It is a little difficult to see but if you look closely you see the snowy egrets right at the edge of the house. Also while I.E. cruises along you can see how close the sand bank is on our starboard side . Also if you look even closer you might see the palm tree that has almost fallen right into the ICW. A lot of damage along this way both with trees, docks and debris. I.E. docked at Palm Coast Marina and had a wonderful dinner at the La Pizza Cuisine In the European Village- so much for having dinner prepared.!

12/04

Leaving Amelia Island Yacht Basin on a warm sunny day you will notice the group of white Pelicans perched on the shallow spot which is just about a hundred yards from the boat,the second picture is the group of motor boats that were our flotilla today as we travelled all the way to St Augustine It is nice to share the ride. We will have some maintenance service done tomorrow and hopefully get on our way for Hammock Beach then Titusville. We would like to be in Stewart by Thursday so we can arrange for haulout etc while back home for Christmas. Then hopefully back on board early January to cross the Okeechobee and tour the west coast up to possibly Tampa. Like much of boating the best of plans always seem to change. Declan and Donal would be very impressed with my creative use of the steps today - they made for the perfect step aerobic class! right at the stern with a wonderful breeze and view of the ICW. Keeping fit anyway we can.

12/03

I.E. arrives at Amelia Island Yacht Basin. It is a little difficult to see but that is a bald eagle perched on the pole in the middle of the rushes on the ICW with the paper mills in Brunswick in the background. After a perfect day with the engines operating beautifully I.E. is docked at the perfect spot to watch yet another perfect sunset. Crossing Jekyll Sound seemed a little confusing but with a quick correction we were on our way. Fernandina Harbor Marina was our first encounter of the direct damage Hurricane Matthew has caused. The Marina is totally closed.

12/02

Layday at Brunswick Landing

Return to Irelands Eye

Nana and Nandad have returned to Irelands Eye to continue our journey. The plan is to leave Brnswick landing heading for Stuart and then hopefully across the Okeechobee and cruise the west coast towards Tampa Bay in the New Year. Lots of scrubbing and cleaning to be done, new dodger to be fitted, outboard and dingy to be operational and we are on out way. Photo is the proud shipper after cleaning the dinghy. Reward after several hours of cleaning is a well deserved dingy ride.

3/4/16

The final entry to Nana and Nandads adventures. IE is now safely at Brunswick Landing Marina. To celebrate a wonderful journey Nana and Nandad had the perfect evening at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Heading back to family and friends and hoping to perhaps have another adventure next winter. One last picture of the sunset at Jekyll and an attempt by Nana and Nandad to take a selfie- not very successful! 

3/31/16

IE has arrived at Jekyll Island once again on a beautiful sunny day. Nana was hoping to catch a view of some of the wild horses playing with the surf on the beach of Cumberland Island. Instead we found ourselves under scrutiny by the Navy Patrol who were monitoring the waterways along Kings Bay Submarine base in preparation of escorting a war vessel down St Mary's entrance. Now the skipper showed his true colors remaining calm and following the correct markers - a skill difficult to explain unless you have been through this section of the ICW. It takes three tugs to escort this submarine as you will see from the picture. 

IE has been scrubbed clean and to celebrate the ending of this great journey we will be picked up by the Bell Boy of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel for dinner at 7pm. The skipper has promised to follow the dress code!!!!

Tomorrow Nana and Nandad will dock at Brunswick where IE will remain for a few months. 

The pictures are the sunset on Amelia Island from IE and the second one is the three tugs with the submarine. Cruising on the ICW can bring the unexpected. It has been a marvelous journey. 

3/01/16 & 3/02/16

Yesterday was Vikens 2nd birthday. Nana and Nandad are sad that they miss his actual birthday but intend to catch up once we get back. Happy birthday Viken😍. 

IE is now at the Northernmost city of Florida. A place called Fernandine Beach mm 716 on Amelia Island. This means we are just about 20 miles from Brunswick Georgia. 

Nana and Nandad spent last night at Beach Marina in Jacksonville which is a very neglected Marina but we had the perfect sunset. Yesterday we cruised back up the Mantanza Inlet, Anastasia Island through St Agustine and up the Tolomato River. This is a wonderful section of the ICW with a mix of small and large homes all along the way. The water is so much clearer. For the first time Nana and Nandad put up the Bimini on the bridge to provide protection from the sun! IE also rescued a brand new 65 foot boat that had ran aground by providing a very large wake- I guess it is advantageous occasionally. 

Today we also rescued a beautiful boat called Jeanine 111 that went into a sand bank along Fort George Island. We are hoping that our turn is not around the corner! While passing the entrance to St Johns River the security patrol were out protecting what appeared to be some type of Ship with a Ukraine Flag. The shipyard here repairs the Navy Boats so Nana is wondering what type of vessel this was. We were going to take a mooring today - for the first time- but due to the strong winds decided to go for the protection of the slip inside the breakwater. Perfect sunshine and breeze for another great evening. The first picture is Nana relaxing having lunch at Brett's Waterway Cafe. The next picture is that boat that was being protected at the St Johns River entrance ( I think you would agree it's not your everyday ship). The third picture is just at sundown the crew rowboat was on its way back into Beach Marina.There are two persons on each seat! The last picture is of IE looking very sturdy after her rescue at Beach Marina in Jacksonville. 

 

2/29/16

Happy Leap Year! After a wonderful stroll along Canal Street Historical District in New Smyrna Beach Nana and Nandad enjoyed a relaxing morning reading the paper, sipping tea, and devouring the most delicious banana nut muffin from the local cafe. Nana was delighted to get a birthday card for little Vikens 2nd birthday at the Little Drug Company. It can be difficult sometimes along the ICW to find stores close to the Marina! Leaving the Marina by 11 am with another beautiful day IE cruises back up the Halifax River. We arrive at 3.30 at the Marina at Hammock Beach Resort. Nandad decides to take a bike ride on the fold up bike and promptly discovers that Nana needs to put air in the tires! He still managed to enjoy a five mile ride- well done Nandad. Dinner onboard after sunset and later lots of stars to gaze at. Tomorrow IE will try to make it to Fernandina Beach or perhaps Jacksonville. The first picture is a small island right at the NSCBM where the Snowy Egrets and Pelicans like to chill. The second picture is to demonstrate how not to leave your boat abandoned on the ICW. The last picture is Nandad on the little tern - that's the fold up bike!!!

2/28/16

Well Nana and Nandad are back from Cuba and what an amazing trip. We were so lucky to have our good friend Catherine from BWSC organize a 7 day People to People tour for a group of 13. Words just can not describe what a fantastic experience it was. 

We are very happy to be back on the boat,  heading back to family and feeling extremely blessed for all we have. We left Harbortown Marina at about 11 am after doing laundry, returning the rental car and provisioning. An absolutely beautiful sunny day cruising down the Indian River, through the Haulover Canal, up the Mosquito Lagoon and into New Samyrna City Beach Marina mm845. Peter & Jane were on the dock waiting to greet us and we had a wonderful cocktail hour up on the bridge watching the fishing boats, pelicans and Dolphins. Thank You Peter & Jane. We then had an excellent dinner at the Dolphin Seaview Restraurant while waiting for the Rocket Launch: Space Falcon 9 SES 9. Unfortunately due to some glitch, the launch was aborted. Not too sure where IE will be tomorrow- maybe St Augustine. We will see. 

The first picture is Nana trying to catch the water leak coming through the camera lense in the deck salon!!!The next picture is along the Indian River North where is gets so shallow that you can walk while dragging your canoe!! The third picture is Nandad relaxing on the bridge watching a family of Dolphins playing along side IE. The last picture is again to show how shallow the water gets so close to the boat. These are a flock of very large white Pelicans along the Mosquito Lagoon. 

02/18/16

IE is now at the Harbortown Marina on the Cape Canaveral Barge Canal. She spent last night at Vero Beach at the Vero Beach Yacht Club. Nana and Nandad had a wonderful dinner at the club after a perfect walk to the beach. It is truly a beautiful  spot. IE left early in the morning and now that we are heading back north the sun is behind our back so our visibility is unobstructed. It was a nature day for Nana with pictures of Osprey nesting on the markers, pelicans bomb diving to catch their prey, the Dolphins playing along the boat and the snowy egrets all along the Canaveral Barge Canal. IE will stay here until 2/27 but Nana and Nandad will be in Cuba from 2/20 to 2/27. This means no more blog until we get back from Cuba.

2/16/16

It is easy to understand why Boaters are drawn to Stuart. Sunset Bay Marina is right down town which is packed with very one of a kind locally owned shops. There is a beautiful Riverwalk that takes you right down town You can see the blue heron perched right on the dock. Nana and Nandad are told that if you walked all the docks you would have walked two miles! You can see the beautiful building which is the Marina office and where you will find a variety of groups playing dominos, bridge, or simply chatting right there by the gas fire pit. Wonderful to have the local knowledge from Mark and Mary and a fantastic dinner onboard their beautiful boat "The Good Life". Monday was a very wet day so Nana and Nandad took the opportunity to wash down IE both inside and out. This morning  Nana went to a great Yoga class while Nandad provisioned and picked up some things from West Marine ( thanks to M/M for the use of there car). The perfect sunset with cocktails onboard IE followed by a wonderful dinner down town at The Black Marlin with of course great company and many experiences shared. The pictures include two beautiful fountains down town and also a map which traces IE's journey from Newport RI to Stuart FL . A total of 987 miles on the ICW and 518 nm from Newport to Norfolk. Great job skipper we did it. 

2/15/16

The journey was the destination. 

Ireland's Eye arrived into Stuart on Valentine's Day at 2.30 pm and was greeted by Mark & Mary as we came into the dock. Very pleasant ride down the Indian River. As we approached Ford Pierce, passing Jacks Island and just before the bridge , a flock of Pelicans and Blue Heron perched all along the bushes was quite the sight. Nana tried to take a picture but again a zoom lense would have been perfect. It was also interesting to pass Hutchinson Island where Mona and Paula stay but unfortunately we missed the window to see them. Finally lots of sail boats noted while passing the US Sailing training facility close to Jensen Beach. IE then leaves the ICW and enters the St Lucie River and onto the Okeechobee Waterway. IE will be here for a least three days until Wednesday 17th. The last picture is the Roosevelt Bascule Bridge just before you turn into the Sunset Bay Marina downtown Stuart. 

2/13/16

Nana and Nandad had a very relaxing day yesterday - hence no posting! We finally made it up on the bridge on the perfect sunny 70 degree day ( sorry for those of you with record cold temperatures ). We had a wonderful meal at The Mansions in the Historic town of Melbourne with a very nice couple from Texas - their boat is along side IE in the photo! it's a 47 Grand Banks. We had a fantastic cruise along the Indian River passing Grant Island , the many mangrove islands and Sebastian which is home to the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. Arriving at Vero Beach City Marina just in time for a late lunch and the perfect setting right beside the glistening Atlantic Ocean. Vero Beach is known as " the gateway to the tropics" and if you visit you will know why. Th eIndian River community produces more than three-quarters of Florida's grapefruit crop. We met with Ed and Liz from the BWSC and enjoyed their company for a great dinner at Bobby's and fantastic live music at Grind & Grape. Nana and Nandad will stay another night before our final destination for this trip Stuart. The second picture is an orchid growing from one of the beautiful oak trees along the toad to the beach from the Marina. 

2/11/16

Well if you think something is too good to be true then it is! With all that water splashing over us yesterday Nana wondered how everything remained dry? Well I guess not. On waking this morningNanDad  noted a very wet head of the bed. After that we discovered a very full hull due to the fact that the automatic plumb did not work! Then after a delicious breakfast we were ready to go when NanDad decided he did not like the sound of the engine- oh dear! Anyways needless to say a late start so IE did not leave Cocoa until 12 md. No worries, a quick cruise over to Telemar to fill with diesel.  A beautiful quite village up the Banana River with your classical small/large homes right at the rivers edge. We then decided to shorten our day and at the Melbourne Causeway booked a slip at the Melbourne Harbor Marina. This area is 22 miles from Cape Canaveral and right on the edge of Merritt Island - National Wildlife Refuge. Now things took a turn for Nana in the right direction. A wonderful bike ride over the causeway right down to the Indialantic Beaches. Boating always has its twists and turns. Once again the bed linens are dry and we are ready for a good nights sleep. Perhaps we will make or to Vero Beach tomorrow. The photos are of Melbourne Beach and a derelict house on the way up the river. I am sure it look good in its time of glory.

2/10/16

Well the capture of the day was Nana's video of the Dolphin family while cruising along the Mosquito Lagoon. What an accomplishment it was to finally catch them in action.,Nana and Nandad woke up early this morning and took a nice stroll down to Daytona beach. Although the car racing no longer takes place on the beach, cars can still go on the beach. Leaving the HRYC at 9.30am and heading towards the Ponce de Lion Cut on a sunny, cold, brisk morning IE passed many areas with trailer parks and areas for fishing. While passing through the Haulover canal Nana and Nandad could see Cape Canaveral in the distance. They could also see the pink egrets flying over head along with the flock of very large white Pelicans, blue heron, roseate spoonbills ( you will have to google that one !) perched on the island nearby. It was a very choppy crossing along the Indian River and we were very happy to secure a slip at the Cocoa Villiage Marina. Peter and Jane drove all the way to visit us and take us out to dinner which was very much appreciated. It was fun to chat about adventures to come. Tomorrow we may leave for Vero Beach. The pictures inclued Nana at the Jackie Robinson Monument in Daytona,

the beautiful Red Brick Lighthouse at the Ponce de Lion Inlet & the Dolphins while cruising the Mosquito Lagoon.