Yes a wee bit cold everywhere

  We came for warmth and a sail, and instead we are cold (18 degrees this morning with the wind chill - hard frost warning last night) and motoring the ICW.
  As we hunker down for the cold I listen rather than see the cold here as we snuggle in our cabin, layers of fleece blanketing us.  The wind through the rigging is a howl at about low c, up and down to 30 knots.  Every night when the tide, 3 k current, and strong wind change, just so, the mooring ball hits up against the hull; random but constant bumping that lasts a while.  Mazu jumps with the first banging. The water flows by the bow, gurgling as it moves so fast with the current against the wind.  Sometimes there's a little clicking sound -- they say it's shrimp scooting through and kissing the hull.  And happily there's the low hum of the Espar heater as it comes on and off throughout the night.
  Looking out the bathroom portal I see the flags out straight like postage stamps in the sky, Florida state and the red white and blue.  There's no furl, flapping, flutter or fold only the flattened flag lit up against a black night sky, my anemometer.

On Sunday before the predicted cold - we took a beach walk on St. Augustine's wide beach.  However to get to the surf is a drop off, no slow slope like New England, Jersey or Delaware shores. A few surfers were out, but taking few rides because of the chop.  We enjoyed the beach.

 Mazu, kind of camouflaged into the sand.  That's why she wears a red bandanna.

Another ship came in bigger and better than Magellan's, the Spanish Galleon.  Note the flags, but the wind had died down a little.  They'll stay about 6 months for tours.

We still had fun with a Sunday bike ride tour on the last 69 degree day. I got it for half price on groupon and put the coupon in Drew's stocking:   Drew with John, the guide, ahead of me.  Ideal way to see the city at a nice pace.

 On Magnolia Street under the line of live oaks overhanging with Spanish moss dripping down.

In front of the Mission cross where the first mass was said in 1565 or thereabouts.

A beautiful little chapel of the Sisters of Joseph who worked on converting Indians to Christianity.

Always MAINTENANCE:  replacing a leaky faucet to keep our precious water.

not leaking any more  : )

 
 Cleaning the speed and temp transducer that sits below the hull (accessed in the bilge.  The black knob is unscrewed from the hull and is removed for cleaning 3 months of growth, then replaced:

Plants growing out of the top where the wheel spins to show our speed.

I have to mention 2 fun places:  www.pirateshipblackraven.com  The pirate ship is on the dock where we dingy in each day.

St. Augustine bike tours we rode were great, highly recommend them.  John was a great tour leader.

AND we went to COUSTEAU'S.  It's a waffle and milkshake bar on Hippolyta St. that opened recently and served THE BEST waffle desert I have ever had called Jaguar Shark - real maple syrup, candied pecans, candied bacon and Bourbon whipped cream on a freshly made waffle - amazingly delicious!  The owner has a passion for these two items like Cousteau had for the ocean.  There are photos of Cousteau all over the little shop, and the staff wears red winter caps as Jacques Cousteau wore.