We have arrived!!YAYAYAYAYAY!

The paper chart showing the barrier Islands on the left, which are east, and the long Charlotte Harbor going north. I couldn't fit the next part of the harbor in, so this will have to suffice.
We came south through the little channel between the mainland (as it were) and the Barrier Islands,  (10 o'clock on the chart),  and down into more open waters before turning up into the harbor. We anticipated deeper waters, if you call 14ft deep. Underneath us we varied from 7ft to 17ft, and as we got closer to Fisherman's Village, it got down to 4.5ft! I do just fine when the depth sounder isn't on, and the nerves leave me. I should be used to this by now, since ALL the waters we have come through are like this, but my shoulders still get tight and my stomach reacts accordingly.

This is Waz's element, water, and I am so totally outside of mine, it is little wonder I am a bit of a wreck some days:) Still, this adventure is all about being outside one's comfort zone and I will learn to deal with it as most of our future travels we will be dealing with the same shallow waters. Small comfort, but right now I can relax and enjoy our immediate environment.
I have complete confidence in the Captain!!! He handles this large boat like a ballet dancer...with finesse!

So...on rising yesterday morning we were delighted to see pairs of Dolphin fishing in the little bay where  we were parked. They systematically circled the bay, around the resident Manatee that was obviously grazing in the shallows (coming up for air occasionally), and then without stopping, they took themselves back out into the channel. I didn't race for my camera per usual, but stopped and watched as they so effortlessly glided through the water. Works of art, those things:)

When we arrived the night before, we were aware of someone whistling...very loudly too, I might add, although sound travels in these places when it is so still. We heard parts of Jingle Bells and other things, including Wolf Whistles. We made an effort to see who was outside their homes, and where the sound was coming from. We did identify the home, but the light was against us seeing inside.
It took a while of this noise being in the background for us to identify, finally, that it was a bird. The Jingle Bells was distinctly out of tune as was most of the other stuff it whistled. We decided, after a few hours of this noise, that we wouldn't ever get a bird!!!!!
So, on waking, stretching on deck and finally sitting on the cockpit deck to eat breakfast, we were again very aware of this birds efforts to sing. Hmmmmmm....We bet the people who live with it don't even hear it anymore!

Our morning view from the cockpit. What a stunning morning, though the humidity level was high.

Leaving the bay and underway at around 9.40am, because we had a bridge opening 2 miles away to make. The bridge only opens on the half hour and we needed to be there for 10am.

This Osprey was eating a fish and seagulls were swooping to see if they could steal it or parts as they dropped. I don't think that is a smart move on their part as the raptor is a keen hunter.

This is the bridge...a swing one, leading to a seriously narrow channel where the old bridge remains are. Of course this is where all the fishermen gather!!!

Directly in front of the swing bridge is the old bridge/remains. At least the fishermen are off to the side of the channel, although they insisted on criss-crossing in front of us.

 

Don't you love those almost submerged ruins!!!NOT!

Through the bridge and into yet more shallow channel.

Fishermen racing behind us to get to their fishing spots. They are a bit ADD about their fishing. They put out a few lines and if they don't catch anything, they upstix and move on. They full throttle everywhere, even when there is a No Wake Zone. They appear to have no regard for their fellow fisherfolk who are rocking and rolling in their wake. Why are we so worried about tipping them out of their boats??Well, because we are responsible for any damage our wake may do to their boats and them, just as they are to us! I doubt if many of them know this important fact!

 

 

Some of the homes aren't so 'front and center' on their lots, which we like.

A couple of hunters up front. They were so busy fishing they didn't bother to wake-ride!

We delayed our turn into Charlotte Harbor to avoid this dredge and it's pipes. We went around them into the deeper water...well, marginally deeper water, lol.

Half way up Charlotte Harbor and we can now see the Port Charlotte bridge. On the right are the condos at Burnt Store, a marina community we have visited and where Len had just bought another office (January) when we met him at the beginning of the year. It is a typical marina/condo development, but there are no shops/supermarkets within walking distance, and about 10 miles to Punta Gorda.

 

Finally!! We parked outside Harpoon Harry's Restaurant at Fisherman's Village, Punta Gorda, where we had stayed in February. The village is full of old people:) Getting into the village the water was only 4.5ft under us!...that is where the yacht is coming from...and they must have greater draft than us!

Looking towards the far end of the wharf. These are the backs of the shops which are really a covered 'mall'.

Looking towards the fuel and pump-out. It was a bit tricky getting in and even trickier getting out. Lots of small boats going in and out to refuel for the weekend, today being Friday! We had to wait for a few mins before pulling off the wharf to take our place, which of course took up the WHOLE wharf.

Looking back from the fuel dock. Calm waters and 85F. It was VERY hot standing in the sun with ropes on the starb'd side.

We parked in front of the last yacht, harbor side, when we first arrived.

Len had arranged for a professional captain to accompany us across the harbor to his dock because it was tricky getting there. We met John Dorso in Len's office and arranged to meet him on the fuel dock. He helped us with the lines when we arrived and then came aboard for the trip across the harbor.

Len's home is on a canal...but a secondary canal, which meant some jiggery pokery to get there. We could have found our way, but as we have said many times, Local knowledge is priceless, and in this case, essential.

 

Of course the channel was VERY narrow and to even get to Len's channel/canal we had to do a 120 degree turn out of the main channel. THEN we had to do a 90 degree left turn in a very limited space into his canal. The 120 turn was a bit challenging with nowhere to go but in a circle, basically. We were stirring up the mud as Waz made the turn, and again, going along a seawall into Len's canal, at the right angle turn. Waz then had to turn the boat inside the canal, which is supposedly 100 feet wide...with a 57.6ft long boat this might seem like a lot of extra feet, but with boats docked on both sides of the canal, this is not an easy issue. He did it in fine style, per usual, and Len was waiting for us at his very well equipped dock. Not only is there 50amp power, water and lighting (essential for some of us old people:) ) there is also a swimming pool available for our use!!! Yes, this is attached to his home!

 

John and Len argued over how to rope the boat so she had enough leeway for the tides while Waz and I did all the other stuff...like attaching the power and water etc.

 

Len took John back to the Village to get his car, and we immediately went for a swim in 81.4F water. Apparently this is too cold for the natives...we found this out when we mentioned how lovely the water was, to our dinner companions, later, accompanied by many shivers:).

 

Len arrived home and set about making hors d'oeuvres and drinks. We were instructed to dress in pants and nice casual shirt (men) for dinner at the Port Charlotte Yacht Club. This is where Len and Stephie are members, although Len, through his business, also supports the Punta Gorda Yacht Club and is welcome there also. Apparently when some of the members can no longer afford to pay their dues in cash, they (the members) give their sailboats etc to the club in lieu of fees. The club then gives the boat to Len to sell on their behalf in return for a consideration. Wise man, Len!! He gets lots of business through the clubs in return for his largesse:) Good PR!

 

Len is the ultimate host and had us at the bar inside their lovely home when Stephie arrived home from her job in Fort Meyers, an hour drive south of here. She joined us for a drink and then we left for dinner. John  the captain and his wife Sue joined us for the meal, which was great....we heard all about John's motorcycle tour of NZ and Australia (different years) and how much he loved both countries and their people. He is  a professional boat captain and has been for some 40 years. He is a most entertaining person. We enjoyed their company and the meal also. We have eaten at this yacht club before and the food and service are exemplary.

 

Waz and I went for a stroll down the road and back (it ends at the harbor) after eating so late, and then turned in for the night. Nice to be here, but we had the aircon on last night. I know the rest of the country is in snow and ice, but it was essential to have to cooler air for sleeping. Not sure I am happy about the heat! We will see.

 

Another gorgeous day, this morning...Saturday 7th December. Mail has arrived from various places, so Waz opened that while I started this blog. We have a few things to see to on Monday, but otherwise we only need to call Enterprise and arrange for a vehicle. We wont go food shopping until Monday perhaps, as I have food I want to finish up, in the fridge. Good to be able to clean the fridge while we are in the cleaning mood.

The boat needs a wash down, but with three loads of washing taking precedence this morning, a hose is all she is going to get, Im afraid.

 

Looking back down the canal towards the harbor. The blip in the middle of the water is a Manatee that is grazing, no doubt.

A closer look.

Our neighbors across the canal

Looking back up to the end of the canal.

 

And THAT, my friends, is that.

 

Life may be a bit boring and uneventful for a while, so I will see how much mundane drivel I think you might want to hear:)

 

We are off out to dinner again tonight,...Phew! Len has it all arranged. We will need to get a lot of exercise in if this is going to be the pattern. We will both have to find jobs to afford the lifestyle! lol.

 

We have a few issues concerning pump-out to deal with. We would prefer not to have to be running back and forth to Fisherman's Village to pump out each week...not after having all those tight turns and watching the tides (we need to move at high tide!!!), so we will see if we can tap into Len's waste system. Waz needs these curly problems to keep him busy doesn't he?:)

 

It is getting warmer, so it is time for me to shower and get on with the day. One load of washing is ready for hanging after we give the baby a hose down.

Ciao, Ciao!