We have been anchored off of Hilton Head Island for 10 days, spending time with Bill’s sister and her family. It was great fun catching up in a place that has so many happy memories collected over the last 50 years.

We have been waiting for the last few days here at anchor in Calibogee Sound for the weather to shift. Winds have been blowing out of the southeast to southwest, making a trip further south problematic. That changes early tomorrow afternoon when a cold front drops down through this area. After a cold front passage, the wind switches from south west to northwest, usually very quickly. This weather pattern will continue for most of the rest of the week.

We expect a fast sleigh ride with the wind mostly behind us, the trip taking about two and a half days down to Fort Lauderdale.

Unusually for us, we have a couple stakes in the sand on our calendar over the upcoming weeks. Next Monday Harmonie will be lifted out of the water for renewal of her bottom paint. We expect to be out to the water for two weeks getting her ready for an extended season of cruising. All of the usual stuff, with the addition of a professional survey for our insurance underwriters. If all goes to plan, we will be back in the water on December 6.

While in Florida we will be running around doing some medical stuff and other life logistics. Bill is scheduled for the exciting (?) experience of a wisdom tooth extraction.

Once we get done with all this, we are headed back out to the Bahamas, and then down the Caribbean.