Aquia Harbour in Florida — 17-18 February 2018

We noted that within our Ballentrae Community in Port St Lucie, 3 homes had people that were also neighbors in the community of Aquia Harbour in Stafford, VA years ago.  Bonnie Scanlin was going to have John and Jane Malatak, former Aquia neighbors, now living in Tennessee, stop by for a visit.  She quickly found a host of other past Aquia neighbors that now live in Florida, and we planned an “Aquia Harbour in Florida” get together.  Held at the Bolin’s and Bonnie Scanlin’s place, it was a blast.  We caught up on activities and all those old age aches and pains, and realized we still remembered how to enjoy a Bloody Mary.  The group included:  Randy and Barbara Semper, Bonnie Scanlin, Darrell and Claudia Edgar, Fred and Dorene Hall, Terry and Brenda Tychan, Brenda’s sister and husband Erin (Erin’s mother from England was visiting them),  Sandie Doucette, Joe and Sandy Laverine and John and Jane Malatak from Tennessee.  We also realized that most of the group were also members of the Aquia Harbour Yacht Club, with 6 of the group being a past Commodore of the club.  Bonnie Scanlin sponsored cocktails at her place and Carey Bolin fixed dinner for the group at the Bolin’s place a short walk away.  The out of town people were spread out between the Bolin’s, Tychan’s and Bonnie’s place for the night.  A great time to catch up with good friends!  We just may do it again next year.

Attendees at Aquia Harbour in Florida Get Together
Past Commodores of Aquia Harbour Yacht Club now living in Florida.

New Apolonia Finally in Her Slip — February 6, 2018

                      New Apolonia at Slip

Finally!  The work we’d planned is complete and we have Apolonia (the new one — 37 feet) in her slip at Nettles Island Marina.  We’re working hard to get her cleaned up and ready for her first trip, probably one to the Bahamas.  The last couple weeks have been good to us including time with Gary and Pat Ralston, good Virginia friends who now live down here; more trivia at Conchy Joe’s Restaurant with a good group we’ve met; and planning an Easter visit to Florida for Lauren, Cynthia and the grand kids.  All smiles here.

Just one more major project to complete … finish the install of a new engine and transmission in Paget!  Coming soon!!

Trip to Virginia — 16 to 24 January 2018

Grandson Oliver’s birthday was mid January, so we headed north to Virginia 16 January.  Two days traveling up north and we stopped at Jack and Ann’s.  Using this as home base, we left Maddy to travel to Annapolis where we enjoyed visiting Lauren and Cynthia and the grandkids, Oliver and Benji.  Pictures below are of a breakfast out with Oliver and the family and the birthday party for Oliver at East Coast Marital Arts on Saturday.  Amazing.  The man running the activities was fantastic with the birthday attendees that included the parents in the activities … just amazing!   We all need our young ones to experience his careful and loving discipline.  Back to Jack and Ann’s after the party to take care of a sick dog … poor Maddy … but the chicken and rice food the Veterinarian recommended fixed her up and we enjoyed the NFL division championship games on Sunday then headed south to Virginia Beach where we stopped by for breakfast with good friend Bill Bowman and then visited with Karen Kennett, a college friend of Carey’s, and her children (young adults Jesse and Megin and Megan’s wife Cassie).  Up early Tuesday for Florida with a “back to normal” dog.  Glad to get the socks off my feet.

 

Christmas Eve with Jan and Tom

No snowflakes this Christmas Eve … just sun and sand at Jan and Tom’s place for a prime rib dinner with their dear friend Richard.  Cocktails in the backyard on their canal then an outstanding meal with family and friends.  We really enjoyed their company and fine food.  Thanks Tom and Jan! (click on first picture for full screen view).

Great Visit with Barny and Ginger – 18 to 20 Dec 2017

Barny and Ginger were not able to stay long, but on their way to a holiday trip to Brazil they stopped for a visit.  Great time with them, visiting and catching up.  We toured around our little piece of heaven in Florida and managed to support the local economy.  We also had the opportunity to see Jan Mason our cousin in Vero Beach.  Jan picked the Riverside Café in Vero right on the ICW.  A major treat.  Barny and Ginger left this morning for Miami to catch their flight to Brazil.  Enjoy.  (full size pictures by clicking on first one)