Blessing of the Fleet and "All that Jazz"

We have never in our 15 years on Broulee been asked to participate in a Blessing of the Fleet  - we were asked last weekend and how can you resist, especially when a yacht club member has a spare set of nautical signal flags and another trawler owner knows how to put them up.  They have convinced me they have spelled out Broulee KK42 MN Izzy and then some jibberish.  I believe them.

So, once again, we scrambled to get the pilot house cleaned up to go out of the marina to bless Broulee.  Helm is nearing completion and I might add, looking good.

20 some boats jockeying for position to pass by the Bridge Officers.  Picture taken by Kadence,  Kadey Krogen 44.

A few of the boats in the Blessing of the Fleet - Simply Grand - Grand Banks 42

Grand Pelican, a Grand Banks 36

Ok, just in case you get asked to participate in a Blessing of the Fleet - this is the proper way to display your nautical sign flags.  The front flags are supposed to dip towards the water.  We will hopefully get better at this, it took us 15 years to get this far.

After we got the invite, found out we needed to have crew outfits.  They claim everyone has kahki and white - not this crew.  The Admirals came from Chico's.  The captain always looks stunning in Goodwill.

  

Broulee getting in position behind Kadence for our grand entrance.  Lots of Pomp and circumstance.  Rick announced to the Bridge - Captain Rick Smith, 1st Mate/Admiral/ Wife Debra and our trusty Black Lab, Queen Isabella.

Sunday, after the blessing we decided to take a shake down cruise to Keeywadin for an overnight.  Reminder it is Sunday and every boater in Southwest Florida is out - this beach is at least a mile long and packed with beached boats.  We are lucky, we anchor out and will dinghy in to this madness.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice cream.

The best part, come sunset - they all leave and we have the whole anchorage and beach to ourselves.  Sorry, no green flash tonight, but still awesome.

Morning is another favorite time for us.  No people and Izzy gets to be off leash.  She found one of her favorite toys, a coconut. Here she is  shaking it off after swimming for her prize.

Now I will shred this to pieces.

And now I must chase this dolphin.  Not sure what I will do with it when I get it, but, I will figure it out when I get there.

And last, but not least - they are back.  The burrowing owls (protected species) from last year seen on my daily walk.  Glad for their greeting every morning.  

Latest pics of helm to follow.

TAH DAH! Well Maybe TAH!

With the exception of a few final trim pieces, the new anodized panels and some cleanup we are just about finished.  The panels were shipped yesterday, the trim pieces are shaping up - problem being that this entire station will be removable for future changes to equipment and revarnishing as needed.  A challenge trying to figure out how to attach the bottom trim.  

Just a reminder of the old layout, quite an improvement, I must say.

"Men marry women with the hope they never change.  Women marry men with the hope they will change.  Invariably they are both disappointed." 

  Albert Einstein

Happy Valentines Day!

Back from the Ranch and helm remodel continues

Deb spent last week at the Wrinkle Ranch (aka Queen Valley, AZ) visiting her parents at their winter location.  Happy Hour -  desert style.  Going from extreme humidity in Florida to extremely dry air in AZ presented quite a challenge.  Honestly I was happy to get back to humidity.

This is a big deal - someone actually changes the goose outfit daily and residents make a special trips out of the park to see what she is wearing.    

Sanding and varnishing continues on windows and now a decision was made to also revarnish the rest of the helm station. How could you not.  It's hard to know where to stop.

Can only do one coat a day - a very slow process.  In between coats the captain has been designing new plates for the helm.

 Plates are to be made of black anodized aluminum.  Ordered from Panel Express out of Seattle, WA and expected to arrive around mid - February.  Hopefully all the varnishing will be done and assembling of the new helm can start.

Also in between coats of varnish - some engine room maintenance (it's a boat remember, Always something more on the list!).

Genset wet exhaust tube was "old", crack lines and soft in areas so time to replace. Why are those things at the back of the set, against the aft bulkhead in a space big enough for a child?

Well not only the tubing but the metal flange was corroded badly. Hard to see in picture but a few areas had holes.

Ok, so there is enough room to work back 
here !?

We have also have had fun - Wayne and Lynn (Marco Island Marina friends on the left, from last season) drove down from Jacksonville for a weekend visit.  Really fun to catch up on their travels since we split up last March.

  Also a great dinner with Robbie at Albertos on 5th in Naples.

Don't know about the rest of the group, but my blackened scallop and shrimp in a lobster sauce was incredible.

Rick's dessert, chocolate cake with ice cream - yum!

  Doug will be back soon, more visits with Minnesota people to follow.  Having worked for a refinery, he loves seeing the horsepower shown below. Lots of fuel needed there.

  

Boat name - NO ETA, really I would pretty much think you could leave late and still arrive before anyone else.

Always nice to be #1

Just stopping in for lunch at the Yacht Club - for boaters where money is no object.  They probably spent more on gas and lunch than our monthly slip rental.  Each to their own.

Anyone who knows Izzy, new toys are always her favorite, also we have to name them.  Couldn't pass up a two for $5 deal at Petco - introducing bluey and pinky.  She could hardly wait to show them off to all her people friends on the dock and the parking lot.  They love how she makes them feel like they are her best friend.

Her choices are endless, there is a whole basketful here.  Of course, they are all screaming pick me, pick me.  Izzy has figured out carrying a toy or two, or three in her mouth almost guarantees a people person to notice her and want to give her a pet.  These four are her favorites for the moment.  Rudy, Pinky, Lamby and Mr. Bubbly. She is still not so happy with the kitty who lives on the dock Mr. Kitty - she tries to show him her toy and he doesn't like it in his face. Hisssssss, swat!  She's trying, but doesn't understand why that little dog doesn't like her.

She also doesn't understand the birds (anhingas) lounging on her dock (actually drying off their wings) - bark, bark, bark - I need to flush it - let me out, dad get your shotgun!

Life here is good......

Stay tuned.