SETTING OFF

It's sometimes hard to leave a dock, not for any mechanical reasons, but simply because it feels a little like leaving home. We spent nine days re-commissioning Southern Vectis at Fort Pierce and, during that time, got to know some very friendly fellow boaters. When we finally cast off on a chilly but brilliantly blue day (27 January) we were sorry to say goodbye to all our friendly and helpful neighbours: Doug and Marlene from Nova Scotia, Jay from South Carolina, Al and Maggie from Vero Beach and Keith and Helen who were living on their boat high and dry in the marine yard awaiting repairs.
For our first sail in sunny southern Florida we dressed in layers of warm fleece sweaters, topped off with foul weather coats, not to forget the thick socks. We would have worn gloves, but couldn't find them! But is was a lovely day and we were pleased to be able to test our newly remodelled sail as we made our leisurely passage south to our first night's anchorage at Peck Lake, an inlet off the ICW just south of Stuart. Maybe it was because of the chilly temperatures, but the only other boats we saw were from Canada: Toronto, Penetanguishene, and Kingston. They waved GLOVED hands and we were envious!
Peck lake is a peaceful anchorage, and we celebrated the first night of our 2011 adventure with a steak barbecue and a nice bottle of wine. We even managed to get finished and below decks before the pesky 'no-seeums' - biting sand fleas - came out in force!
The next day we made it to the north anchorage at Lake Worth where we spent a couple of nights. The weather had warmed up, and we re-visited a favourite haunt - The Rum Bar - just beside the ICW at the PGA bridge, and spent a profitable morning shopping in Steinmart - profitable for Steinmart, that is! (Steinmart is Winners slightly more upmarket 'older sister')
We decided that we couldn't face the challenge of getting through the 18 bridges on the ICW between Lake Worth and Fort Lauderdale, so motor-sailed down the coast. It was a lovely warm day and we timed it just right, entering the Lauderdale inlet just before a group of six giant cruise ships got up steam and headed out into the Atlantic! We spent that night at a favourite anchorage - Lake Sylvia. The next day we moved a little way north to see if there were any free moorings at Las Olas Marina - usually they are hard to find. But this time we were lucky - there were six free because there had been a mass exodus to catch the 'weather windows' to the Bahamas over the past few days. We grabbed one and have been here ever since. We can use all the facilities of the marina, and the beach and shops are a two minute walk away. The weather has been lovely - no cold fronts for almost two weeks, which means very calm southerly breezes. In previous years we've sat out gales here. Each day we walk on the icing-sugar beach, have a cappucino at 'H2O' or a happy hour drink at 'Casablanca'. Air temperature 27C; water temperature 27C. We hear Toronto has had a lot of snow!