Fort Pierce to Peak Lake

We motored to Peak Lake, turning into the "lake" after the green buoy 

The forecast was for lots of rain for several days, so we decided to sit it out.  We dinghyed to the beach.  Nice, but did not have any cameras.

On Saturday, Wally and I scouted out a pavilion where we might have our final party. 

I had to resew the Bimini cut out for the back stays.  My idea with Velcro was starting to fail.  I was able to stitch it. 

I reorganized the food distribution on BELLUM. 

Chiheb called; he didn't see any need for a SIM card.  I insisted on giving him mine from my home automation system that Chris installed.  We also agreed that there was no good opening to cross to the Bahamas for quite a while and decided he would spend Christmas Eve with Marie and come on Christmas Day and return to work on January 6.  This was a significant relief for me as it would give me time to provision Bellum from December 18 to 24 and let me spend some time with Sandrito.

Saturday night was very windy and rainy.  Sunday morning was sunny, and I decided to do more boat work. 

I removed, inspected, and cleaned the speed transducer, which had been intermittent for a few days.  Remove and check the depth transducer since the V-berth was empty.  Clean the strainer for the wash-down pump, which was prudent.  It would not prime easily afterwards.  Rested.  Updated journals, tidy and clean.  Rested

Final Party at the Pavilion, followed by dinner at Taylor Beach House Cafe.

Melbourne to Fort Pierce

In the morning, I was concerned about my fuel situation.  I borrowed a Jerry can from Mark. 

It was windy, so we did lots of motor sailing.  I ran aground - not paying attention 

I bought fuel at Fort Pierce 

Sundancer ran aground near the anchorage. 

Wally led us to a well-sheltered anchorage at Faber Cove.

Unfortunately, we did not visit Fort Pierce.

Titusville to Melbourne

We were heading for Xx, but the winds were getting strong, and Wally decided to tuck in at a well-protected anchorage near Melbourne behind an island to the west of the ICW near Melbourne. 

Very well protected

Titusville to Cocoa Beach - NASA

Wally, Mark and I decided to anchor at Cocca Beach

We walked across the bridge to an excellent German restaurant, Village Bier Garden, where we enjoyed a one-litre stein of beer.  On the way, we visited Travis Hardware - an amazing old hardware store with all kinds of neat stuff.

On Tuesday, we visited Kennedy Space Center.  We actually had Marc with us, who was a rocket scientist - He was awesome.

Daytona Beach to Titusville

We had a fast departure at 8:30. 

I got out of bed at 8 and rushed to prepare for departure.  The chain was very muddy, and I had to weigh a dirty anchor to keep up with the fleet and clean the road and anchor en route. 

I caught my first mooring ball single-handed. 

I walked a couple of miles into a very undistinguished town and picked up Jameson and Captain Morgan.  Nothing exciting.

It was a long ride back to BELLUM in the dark without an anchor light.