They do laundry, too.

Happy New Year from Independence!

The end of the "festivities" left us with a neglected boat (clean-wise), and a mountain of laundry. No doubt everyone is familiar with the social whirl, company cycle that replaces the normal daily schedule of your lives, and then the catch-up when it is all over. [Editor's note: Yes, we are familiar with this cycle,...against a backdrop of bitter cold weather, far from the azure waters of the Caribbean.]

After fond farewells to visitors and friends, our house-keeping began with a trip to Sampson Cay Marina for fuel (and a quick birthday present purchase of the "market"). From there, we jumped in the dinghy to return some borrowed items, and deliver a late X-mas gift to a friend anchored at Big Sampson. Then we headed south to Black Point, which, for those in the know, is the location of the best (cleanest, modern) laundromat. Underway, I baked a crust & cheesecake for Deb's Bay.

Once we were safely anchored in the anchorage, there was a quick organization of laundry: sheets, towels, darks & lights. Then package it in dry bags & big black plastic bags and load it onto the dinghy. The "laundermat" has a dock conveniently located out the back & down the hill. So we tie up there and lug our stinking treasures up, so they can be rejuvenated with $27 worth of washer/dryer tokens. Once the washers are churning, we find ourselves inching up to the corner TV screen which is broadcasting warfare in the Gaza on CNN -- this, being the first bit of network news we've heard in quite a while. There is also a couple of small shelves in the corner with the usual assortment of moldy, pocket-worn paperbacks and few 3-year old magazines and some hardcovers, for swap-out.

A walk through the main street of Black Point reveals a clean town (big, plastic garbage barrels line the road every 30 meters), and warm and friendly locals, and several prominent churches. (We've found that in many communities, rival congregations make up most of the population.)

Later, that evening, after transporting the laundry in reverse, 6 of us got together for a nice birthday dinner for Deb, and probably all fell fast asleep by 9pm- a full hour before "cruiser's midnight". Time to say goodbye, now and hope that my current internet connection holds out to send this.

Best wishes and all our love,
Sue and Paul, aboard Independence.