WINTER 2014 WHEN NIAGARA FALLS FREEZES OVER IT'S TIME TO HEAD SOUTH

      When the mercury read -20C, and the wind took it down another 10 degrees, we decided it was time for our annual adventure on 'Southern Vectis' to begin.  But, just as when we cross over the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas, we had to wait for a weather window. Swirling snow squalls and ice-coated roads don`t make for safe driving.  At last, on January 11, we got the green light, and set off on our drive south. A 5 a.m. departure meant that we had skirted the south shore of Lake Erie and passed Cleveland by breakfast time. Our drive south went smoothly, and we needed only one overnight stop in Kentucky. We arrived, tired but happy (it was 25C!) at our hotel beside Fort Pierce Inlet, just two minuted before 9 p.m. and the start of the new T.V. series of `Downton Abbey``. Perfect timing and a perfect start to a new season for the Abbey and us!

Southern Vectis looked a bit green around the gills when we checked her out at Harbortown Marina the next day.  Florida has had so much rain recently - 7 inches fell on Thursday alone - that we found two little frogs had taken up residence in one of the outside lockers!  Luckily the inside of the boat was clean and dry.  So, to work!  The anti-fouling paint on the bottom of the boat needed renewing, so we decided to do this ourselves.  We kitted ourselves out with the equivalent of `Hazmat`suiting and face masks, and got to work. We were very pleased that a cold front was passing through, and the high temperatures for our work days were around 10C.  It was a much larger job than we thought, and we have made a pact with ourselves to get someone else to do it next time!

But it`s not all work. We`ve renewed old friendships on `F` Dock, enjoyed `Happy Hours` at the marina`s Harbor Cove Tiki Bar, and even had time to catch up with Fruji and John - who share grandparenting with our three grandsons - at `Capone`s Hideaway`.

We were lucky to be launched on Friday as the `Travel-Lift` launcher was out of action all week. We were also lucky to get a dock, as Harbortown Marina is full to the overflowing.  The reason for this is probably two-fold:  the docking rates have been reduced, and also the marina`s renovations of the docks, and all on-shore facilities, such as washrooms, laundry and the Tiki Bar, have now been completed, and the marina is in great shape.  We have been good customers of Harbortown for five years, so, happily, a dock materialized for us!

We`ve now spent two nights on board and are beginning to get the boat ship-shape. The first night was cool - the temperature dropped to zero celsius, and there was frost on the docks in the morning. Luckily we have heaters and socks!  But each day the sky has been duck egg blue, and the sun warm by midday.  It`s beach walking time this afternoon, so must close off now.  More anon.