Wednesday 30 September 2015

Fort Lauderdale part one

Fort Lauderdale - yet again!
As most of you know this is our second visit here, the first time in 2013 when it was only going to be a stop off before heading north, we stayed over 7 months, what?

So at the end of May we came in and stopped at the City dock for a few days then arranged a lift out at Playboy marine so that the anti foul, waxing, general "bottom jobs" could be done. That meant staying off the boat in a hotel which was welcome as our bed didn't move, great.

When we first made landfall in the town it was only a short walk to the local supermarket "Publix" reminding us that you can buy pretty much anything here. It was so difficult to not fill the trolley to the brim and only buy the essentials. Having said that I couldn't resist walking down all the isles where the freezer cabinets light up as you walk by them, childish I know but I found it funny trying not to giggle as I did so.

So the task began, Don sanded down the hull, stripped the prop, replaced the bumpers, all the anodes, had the cutlass bearing pulled off and replaced then repainted after numerous coats of primer. I'm not mentioning all the details but as you cruisers out there know its not so simple as that. Don worked very hard and did a splendid job. I will post pics on part two of this blog.

After almost 2 weeks we "splashed" then went back to the city dock for a few days then moved along the river inland to Cooley's landing.

Cooley's has better facilities than the city dock, WiFi, a great laundry, showers and lots of ducks. No I didn't mean to say docks I did say ducks, lots of families which seem to continually breed.
We like ducks so please forgive all the pics, by the way they are qackless  but the babies sort of squeak and the adults make a gentle snorting noise.





Love this sign, pity its not near us where the ducks are 


Following mum and dad, Can I hear you saying arrrrrrrr  ?

I'm afraid this poor thing didn't survive
Guard duck
We are close to 7th avenue bridge which after a time you get used to the bells ringing when it opens and closes on demand for boats that can't get underneath, in fact as I write this its bells are ringing now and has done several times since I started writing. The bells are not so noisy at night maybe they turn them off but the lights flash a lot.

Its a lovely 15 or 20 minute walk to the supermarket depending on which way you go so I tend to walk the long pretty way along the river going and return the quicker way with the food as its pretty warm here.

From here its a nice walk along the river front, free water taxi's operate but don't go very far, we did a short return one day as the weather looked grim. On the 1st Sunday of the month there is an free open air music concert in a couple of places and crowds take their own seats, sunshades, food, dogs and just about the kitchen sink. There are food stalls too for those that don't bring their own. Its a nice friendly atmosphere with lots of folks dancing.



We have no idea what this is all about but its close to the city dock and next to the court house
This is a bank named the 5th and third, weird name. 
Lots of high rise here
The Wells Fargo bank, its our bank, yes they use a coach and horses logo.
Bank of America
Its a long way up or down depending on how you think
yet another high rise, love the reflexions
Taking tourists along the river, they have a running commentary as they go along, we hear the same story every day as they pas us, sometimes they wave and cheer at us. 
Not sure about this and its meaning but its next to the court and jail 
I quite like this
Maybe waiting for a bus? 
These guys are watching you!


A green Heron
I'm sure I have missed things out but I can add bits in the next blog.

BFN
Glenys and Don
Agua Therapy