Moving Right Along

Yes, life has a habit of moving right along.
I have a live-aboard boating (barging, actually!) friend whose husband gave her a clock with the days of the week on it...that's all! No time keeping, just the days. I think we need one too!
We tend to forget what day it is, and since my new wristwatch doesn't have a date window on it, we forget the date too. We often look at our salon clock with shock and horror, to discover the date is now...yes, the 21st of July! Heavens!! We are half way through the year...egads! and right now it is NOON!

No wonder Waz thought it was almost lunch time.:)

We have spent the morning with an estimator from the Hinkley Boat Yard in Savannah (he was grateful to spend two hours in the air conditioned comfort of his vehicle, there and back) where we will take our baby to get various items patched and painted, and a little bit of fiber-glassing done.
We are flexible on timeframe, which is good for them, but the weather is against us. Summer rain/thunderstorms rather put the kybosh on any continuous work when she is out on a dock. Ideally we would want to put her into one of the many buidings on the work site, but that all adds to the bill.

Our estimator is the f/glass and paint foreman, so it was really good to talk to the man who will do the bulk of the work. We know it is in good hands!

We also had a quote from Topstitch in Fernandina Beach,  to replace the canvas on all the outside cushions, with Sunbrella Marine fabric. It came in much less than we anticipated. This is because we had a quote from a Port Charlotte company at Christmas for much more, without the cost of the fabric factored into the quote! aieee! major $$$.

We will wait to get the glass and paint quote before we confirm the canvas replacement...which includes the re-stitching of the Bimini....then we can apportion funds accordingly.

The Monday before last,  Waz had his colonoscopy. Not fun, the three days leading up to the deed.
He had to eat nothing but protein for two of those days, then the third was liquids only. He has decided that chicken stock really isn't that good to drink! He got through the three days with minimal fuss...well, maybe just a little FUSS, while watching me eat yummy food while he downed a glass of something, but he was a real sport!

The day came and went, and we have had biopsy results...all clear, thank goodness. He doesn't have to have another one for ten years. Good thing our Medical Insurance loves us for our preventive measures and there is no co-pay for these procedures.

Well, it is now July 26th.

Mon had a family Doctor get-to-know-you in JAX a couple of Fridays ago, and went in for a mamo appt. referral, and an orthopedic Doc referral, and came out with a referral for a colonoscopy (Waz couldn't stop chuckling over that one!:) ) and a bone density test as well. Hey, why not? All preventive! I had a colonoscopy about thirteen yrs ago, so I am well overdue, according to the young woman Dr. I was delighted at how thorough she was and even though she was a little 'overloud' in her manner, she was obviously smart and totally 'onto it'. I like that.

I will have to call for all the referrals tomorrow, they haven't come through my St Vincent's Health Portal. Everything is done online now, and we can read all the results of tests, communications et all, on our own password protected portal. Love it!.

So what else have we been up to?

Well, we have thunderstorms every couple of days. We also have had record heat..aieee! 110 with the heat index, last Thursday. The oxygen had been taken out of the hot air, so it was literally hard to breath. The AC has been working over time and our electricity bill reflects that.

A couple of photos of storm clouds, which I never tire of recording. Bear with me here.:)

This is often how they begin. The air is humid, but the sun is strong and stinging. We feel almost thick in the head, at such times.

Then we look out the boat window, and all of a sudden, there are the dark clouds.

...then they get darker, and now there is a line of dark against the blue of the southern sky. This is looking directly west. (above)

This one looks south...

...and this is what it looks like on the radar. We are down on the middle right hand side...Can you see Brunswick? That cloud, the red and yellow stuff, kept coming, and lasted all night!

Looking west, again, you can see the rain cloud touching down, almost straight ahead.

 ..and it gets darker still, looking south west, and moving towards the Atlantic coast.

These next three photos are from yesterdays (25th) storm. I somehow don't get tired of photographing storm clouds. They are all so different.

 The birds are making for home base, in this photo. I don't blame them. I came inside literally as the first drops came down, and by the time I had closed the door, it was bucketing down.

 Looking south over the front of our boat.

So, apart from storms, what have we been doing?

We went to St Simon's Island yesterday to photograph the old Light House there. We took our big cameras, and almost instantly regretted the extra weight, in the heat. We were already carrying water bottles in our shoulder bags, and it all added weight to make it uncomfortable. The results, however, were well worth the effort. We didn't stray far from the car, which was parked in the shade of a large Live Oak, fortunately, so we had relative cool to come back to.
I forget the history of this structure, but some time in the early 1800s (1830's?) she was built, and the building at the base is authentic, and now houses the Museum, which we didn't pay to go into. Yes, we are cheap! BUT, it was the weekend and the place was really busy. We don't do crowd really well. I waited quite a while to take this photo without a bunch of people at the front entry.

This is the gift shop entry, and we went in here seeking cool. We found it and a whole lot else. History, being the main thing. Lots of photos and information for us to read and look at, and we found some fabulous maps..see below...to give you an idea of where we are in relation to everything in the Golden Isles.

I hope that is large enough for you to be able to read .

On this coming Wednesday we are going to Sapelo Island with our marina neighbors, Suzie and Brent. They invited us to share a boat there, and we leave early morning, returning around noon. Exciting, as you need to be invited to go out there. This is where tobacco giant R.J Reynolds had one of his plantations and one of his gorgeous antebellum homes. Photos will follow, be assured. You can see Sapelo ( Pron. Sap and ello (as in hello)).

We had heard about this hotel so many times, from locals, and it was fantastic to finally see a photo of it.  This is the circa 1835 Oglethorpe Hotel. It was built on  Newcastle Street, between that and the Railway Station, which is no longer. The town council, in their infinite wisdom, agreed to demolish this gorgeous structure, in 1957, to make way for another MODERN hotel like Holiday Inn, or something similar. That hotel no longer stands either. The front porch on this lovely building measured 240 feet long. What a travesty! Like so many of the old buildings on Newcastle street....which are falling down....see below.

Notice how the brick façade is leaning out? into Newcastle St.

This was once a beautiful building.!

Oops..I didn't finish the St Simon's story. Sorry!....

This is Island Style Condo's opposite the light house, which is on the beach facing Jekyll Island.

We left the Light House and went further around the island looking for Antique stores. We have passed so many of them on other journeys, and never stopped to look. Well, there is probably a really good reason to NOT go into any of them...we find WAYYY too much to look at, and ooh and ahhh over, and some of it is glorious, and some of it is just plain sad. Nonetheless, we had a fun afternoon, coming home around 5pm. We often decide to leave the boat around lunch time...strange that!:)
and we went back to our favorite bakery on the Island, which has grown in size and now has new menu options. I had a hot spinach Empanada, and Waz had a chicken sandwich on a roll...washed down with a coffee. Fortified, we set of for the Antique looking.

We didn't feel too much like eating a large meal, when we got home, so I decided to make something that had inspired me from one of my friends on Facebook. The avocado I was intending to use was dead on arrival, so I had to improvise. I had a small packet of smoked salmon in the fridge, and some sour cream, fresh garlic chives, and a bottle of capers. A little cream cheese, and we were in business. Not much left in the fridge to choose from, but this hit the spot perfectly.

This morning, I used the very last of the blueberries and a rather OLD banana to make banana/blueberry muffins, for breakfast. Those with a mango, and we were set for the morning.

We have done more laundry and hung that out back to dry...except that there was so much humidity, it never really dried.

We keep doing odd jobs, clearing paperwork and making appointments for this and that. Tomorrow, being Monday, I am going to check up on the specialist appointments. This all has to be done! bah!

Heat is exhausting. I had an afternoon nap, today, and woke up feeling like a cat had slept on my head....how does that feel??? fuzzy!

So, we decided, with very few options available in the refrigerator, to go somewhere inexpensive for dinner. We met Suzie and Brent on the way to the car, and though they had just eaten Italian on St Simon's, and thoroughly enjoyed it, they decided to come with us for dessert. We settled on DQ (Dairy Queen) at the other end of town. Waz and I had our meal while we all chatted about the real estate in the town that we are all looking at. S and B had been out with a realtor, looking at old homes, this afternoon. They too are interested in renewing and rejuvenating a Victorian. The house in question, for them, is about to go to auction...they couldn't sell it at $40k, and it may go for anywhere from $5k up, depending if anyone goes to the auction. It is a duplex, and in ok shape, but it might tae $100k to renovate. They are up to the task.
On the way home from dinner, we all went looking at our various interesting homes, nearby, and discussed their various features and what we might do with them. We are still stuck on one particular home, and don't see anything else to compare. We will keep you posted!

Well, Waz is sleeping beside me yet again. It is 11.15pm, and I have spent time on Skype with the youngest child, tonight, and helped him get sorted. He is currently unemployed and looking for work. He is managing to stay reasonably positive, but it is challenging. He was made redundant.

Im outta here, and off the shower. Another day and another week tomorrow. I will leave you with some photos I took on Newcastle street, the other day. Details of some of the old buildings. Always fascinating!

Looking through a window in a restaurant, to the other street.

 I love the reflections in this photo.

3 Generations of family have owned this Hardware Store on Newcastle Street. I wish they would restore the old building. It is a classic, but in desperate need. This is one set of doors.

A little further down, are these cherubs on the door knocker of an apartment upstairs.

Night Night.

What Is....

'Tiki-Touring'?
I get lots of vacant looks from folks when I talk about Tiki-touring. It just naturally rolls off our tongues because we are so used to saying and doing it!

What is it?

Well it is, broadly speaking, "Taking the Long Way...".

To us, this means "Oh, I wonder what is down THAT road/canal/boulevard/track/dirt road etc.."you get the idea!

To us it means....we usually have a destination in mind, but how we get there might take us an awful long time. Sometimes we never reach our destination, because the Tiki-touring has taken us Waaaaayyyy too long, and the destination is now totally out of time and out of reach. What a happy dilemma! Seriously!

I guess, being retired folks (well, are we?) that every day is pretty much the same as the next, except when we get bored with doing the same old same old, and decide to go somewhere....taking the long way...as it were.

We have had some of our most memorable moments Tiki-touring. Yes, we have.

Let me think!

Well, getting 'lost' is how others might think of it, but....taking a 'wrong'  turn is a matter of opinion...in MY opinion:)

New Orleans, comes to mind. Oh how we love cities with fabulous histories that are full of old houses and buildings and crooked streets and disturbed pavement and vines growing over everything and trees that reach the sky.

So...here we were in New Orleans, or NOLA, as it is known 'round these parts. (New Orleans, Louisiana ...the LA part)...

...and people who dress up in costume for....in NOLA... it must be another parade! Yes, they have countless parades...all the time...
These folks were marching alongside the Lafayette Cemetery, when we encountered them. The back view was preferable to the front...and so as not to embarrass myself, I photo'd their behinds!

The magic of the moss....Spanish moss doesn't harm the trees, we are told. I like unadorned trees, personally, but never mind...this must be the Sarth!

We came upon this veranda...another special 'thing'. Isnt there something about floor to ceiling double and triple hung windows that allow the breeze to blow through these old maiden houses! There is scant breeze in some places in the Sarth, so fans are a very necessary part of the furniture.
Shade is especially welcome in these here parts.

But I digress....

More tiki-touring in NOLA took us down streets that we dared not photograph. It was in Louisiana that we saw abject poverty. It was shocking! We felt like aliens walking and driving down these roads. These, by the way, were places we had been told NOT to tiki-tour. DO NOT GO DOWN...were words we heard so often in these parts. Coming from a reasonably civilized country, we had no fear or knew why we should not go there! So, go we did. No, I didn't photograph any of it. I didn't think it would be appropriate.

Tiki-touring in Houstons, Bay side, we found Helen's Garden. What a delight that was!:)
What was also a delight were the summer blooming Crepe Myrtles. They are everywhere in the south. Glorious big floppy heads of pink, purple, white (my fav.) and Im sure, other colors too.

Helen's Garden was built by her husband for the city, in her memory, so it is a Memorial Garden. What a lovely gift! A peaceful place that is beautifully kept for public enjoyment.

What blew us away, was that there was no graffiti anywhere, no destruction of any kind...just a respect for his lovely gift and place. This is her bronze bust.

 

 

 

Tiki-touring up the coast in Houston, we found and crossed the gorgeous bridge we could see in the distance from near the boat, and found these two old trucks on the side of the road....down a road, around a corner,down another road and...well, you get the picture!

Just as we have a thing for clouds, we also have a thing for these lovely bridges. We could see this one from near the boat, at Kemah, Houston (TX), and finally found a way to get there.

 

Yes, that is a Humming Bird. They are so fast, that this was as good a photo as I could get. This was another happy coincidence! We were docked in Delcambre (rhymes with welcome), Louisiana (you almost cant find it on the map!) and were tiki-touring nearby. I love to watch these stunning birds, and this was the closest we had come to one yet.

I could go on and on, with happy Tiki-touring and coincidences..but you get the 'picture':)

House Hunting - Victorians

Yes, yes, I know....we have a thing about Victorians, don't we! :) Well for one thing, they are much better to look at than most other styles of home, and here in the USA it is difficult (well, in these parts, anyway) to find what we kiwis would call a 'Contemporary' home. In fact, I don't think we have seen one...yet!.

We had an appointment this morning, with a Realtor. Jenny was very knowledgeable about this style of home as she lives in one herself. She has renovated her own home, which was useful while discussing what might be needed, in the do-ups we were viewing with her.

First up.
This lovely old girl was in better condition than any of the others we viewed, as it turned out.
We have few pet peeves greater than seeing what others have done in these lovely old ladies to literally make them unlivable (in our opinion!). Fortunately, this first home wasn't as bad as the rest. You can see for yourselves!
She has a return veranda with two swings! yes, spoilt for choice, there:) No screened in porch though.

 

I am standing on the side veranda looking towards the back door and entry, taking this photo. The first swing is right beside me on the front part of the veranda.

There is a sharp decline on the deck, towards the railing. This is because of the rain/ storms. We were told this house is about 3 ft above the flood zone, so flood insurance would be minimal. You have to remember that this area is all Marshes and swamps...very close to water!

 That front porch swing. The view is out to a large park. This property takes in the whole block end facing the park. Like Savannah, this town was laid out in blocks with parks everywhere. Lovely!

 Coming in the front door...The stairs are in excellent condition. The Banister is firm and well seated. Not sure how old the carpet is, but perhaps 40-50 yrs old? It didn't feel very nice! Needs a really good clean!

To our left, from this point on the front stoop, we turn left, into one of the Living Rooms. You can see the front door to the left in the photo below. I am looking towards the front of the house here. We asked if some of the furniture conveys with the house? The answer was that the house has been almost emptied of furnishings, out of necessity, and there may be some furniture available for sale. None of this looks very comfortable! The color and the wallpaper/border isnt our thing, but not to worry...also the 'window dressing'.Hmmm.

Another of our pet peeves is how paint is used to cover up so much damage. This is a classic! on the ceiling molding.

While I like the light fixtures, they are useless at night. You would be forced to have  reading lights.

This home has most of the original door hardware:) Lovely!

 

I made sure this pocket door worked, looking back into the living room, from the formal dining room.

 

To my left is this highly figured dresser, in the living room. Not something we would be interested in, although Waz likes it. You might notice the good condition of the flooring. The house is apparently made of Pine. Most of the floors are in excellent condition.

The dining room is yet another room with a fireplace. There are 8 of them in this house.

 

 

Waz is inspecting the Fisher and Paykel dish drawer (NZ brand) in the kitchen.

 

 

The kitchen is very livable as is, but it all needs updating and a jolly good clean. Apparently the home is now owned by the children of the former owners, and they visit sometimes. It is as if someone just walked out and left everything. I guess they did!

The cooktop is in the island with a pop-up extractor fan. Not my favorite kind. That is the Butler's Pantry straight ahead there, with a second dish washer and an ice maker and to the left, a second large fridge/freezer. Where the second sink is, under the window there, used to be a doorway. Outside there are brick steps leading down to the kitchen garden...or what was a kitchen garden...raised beds..

Why anyone would do this with a microwave??? I hate this sloppy kind of thing...and directly above the sink??eh?

This is a pop-out window that has been added in the last 20 yrs. Hmmm....might take that one out, you think?

Waz in the downstairs powder room/laundry. That is the outside back door to the right. He is standing beside the shower stall. the door frame above him is the door into the kitchen. I don't like the washer and dryer being there, but, well....never mind:)

What was an office, when this was a bed and breakfast. This whole portion of the house, at the back of the house, is an add-on, and not a pretty one. This is common in these homes. We have the idea that we would replace the window with French doors and put a lovely big deck out there...but...we don't own the place:) and it might never happen.

 

Looking back to the front door, and the large cupboard under the stairs. Lots of storage in this home.

Nice wide hallway, and I do like that lamp!

On the ground or first floor, as it is called here, there is a large public room that was made into a bedroom...here, below. It has an ensuite, of course.The door ahead leads to the library/media room, which is very dark and has been added much later than the original house was built. I do love the white walls and brightness in this room.

The ensuite attached to the bedroom  above.

One of the many stained glass windows.

The bathroom hardware attached to the claw footed tub...looks like it hasn't been used forever.

The library/media room in the add-on. Dark everything. Perfect for media room, says Waz.

The upstairs landing is generous. Bedrooms left and right. The door straight ahead goes out to a small landing that has been almost totally covered in with lattice. There is also a closet outside that could be used like a trunk room.

The PINK bedroom...ack! an ensuite. There are no closets built in any of the bedrooms, hence the free standing one in this room.

Ensuite to the Pink Room.

The Blue room ensuite...much roomier...these are all upstairs!

 

 The Blue Room. These rooms are lovely and large.

 Closet in the  blue room.

 closet to the left (waz is in there, and bathroom to the right.

The Realtor thought this small single bedroom might have been a trunk room at one time. It has no bathroom, no does the room next door which is also a bedroom.

 Odd...this bedroom also doesn't have an ensuite.

 

So, there you have it!

Since I started this blog post, a few days have gone by. We have been to the County to ascertain what is required when one buys an Historic Home in the Historic district. Not a lot, apparently, but we wouldn't be able to change the outside without applying for variances etc.

We also need to meet with other people, but have yet to decide if we want to live not just in Brunswick, but in a home like this that requires a lot of work, despite what you see that looks just fine to most.
Ceilings need re-plastering and boards replacing...among other things!...MANY things.

We went looking at another few homes just to compare them with this one. We visited a home that had 'everything already done', but we couldn't see how we might live in it...not enough windows! We need light and something that leads us outside on a daily basis. This home didn't, and was a bit Mickey Mouse.

Anyway, we continue to look, but have other things to do for the remainder of the week. Can you believe it is the 10th of July, already? heavens...before long it will be Christmas! Aieee!