Along the ICW to St. Augustine

It was time to leave Titusville. Andrew filled in the exit papers and emailed them to the CBP office in Canaveral. They emailed the stamped one back to us before the day was out. We were all set to go.

As we were about to release the lines on the mooring ball, we noticed that the first bridge we had to go through, was down. It was a railway bridge that had not been down the whole time we were there! Murphy! We waited a bit and heard on the radio that it would open again at 9am. 

We had to motor to the next bridge at it was quite a windy route. We were expecting  the bridge to be closed but it was open. It looked like they were working on the bridge. We had passed that road when we were going to Orlando (we did a bit of sightseeing first) and noticed that the road was closed.

When we are motoring for long periods we keep a beady eye on the engine temperature. It seldom is above 80 degrees Celsius. We noticed that it was above 80 and heading towards the high 90s. Andrew wasn't sure what the problem was. There was definitely water running through the engine. I hope we didn’t break something the other day. Luckily we were able to put a sail out once we were through Mosquito channel.

We spent the day watching the engine but it seemed to be ok when the tide changed, although it didn't go below 90.

We got to New Smyrna Beach and dropped anchor just off the channel. There were so many dolphins swimming around our boat, it was lovely.

The following morning we upped anchor and set off. Within minutes the engine was on 120 C! Something was seriously wrong. We turned around and went back to where we had anchored. Andrew set about finding the issue.

He was about to take apart the water pump to check the impeller when the instrument panel started making a squeaking noise. He traced the wires and found that a connector in the engine room was full of water.

After drying and cleaning it, he put it all together again and it seemed to have solved the problem. 

We set off again hoping to make the 09h30 opening of the bridge ahead of us, only to find after radioing them that the bridge was not able to be opened. There was no electricity in the town and the generator was broken. Load shedding in the USA.

Something was telling us not to leave that day, so we went back to our anchorage. The bridge was back in operation later in the afternoon. The bridge master radioed us to ask if we still wanted to go through, but we said we would be there in the morning. It was too late to get to where we wanted to anchor for the night.

The day ended up being very productive. Andrew fitted USB/C chargers in the cockpit and I finished a YouTube video.

Our cockpit surround is starting to look very smart indeed.

The next morning we upped anchor and made our way to the bridge. As we got there the bridge master radioed the engineer, asking if the bridge was able to open. Our hearts sank. Bear in mind there is no other way to get out in this area. We would have to backtrack a long way to find another inlet. The engineer confirmed that it was set to open. We were so relieved!

The ICW, or intracoastal waterway, is fascinating. There are parts of it that are wide and houses are far away, and there are other places which are narrow with the shore very close. At low tide it is quite scary and Andrew, who is helming, has to concentrate hard!

There was no wind so we had to motor all the way to Daytona Beach, keeping an eye on the temperature all the way. It was still too high and we were only doing 3 - 4 knots.

We arrived at the anchorage to find quite a few boats dotted around. There was a shoal just off the ICW and it got very shallow further in. We struggled to find a place to drop the hook without being too close to other boats.

Once we finally found a place to drop anchor, Andrew phoned the marina, to try and find a diver to dive on our prop. We were expecting to pay a King’s ransom, so he also asked about alligators in the water. The guy said that there was zero chance of him being attacked by an alligator. So instead of spending a fortune on a professional diver, Andrew donned his diving gear to clean the prop himself.

He was under the water for at least 10 minutes and when he surfaced he said he had never seen the prop so dirty and encrusted with barnacles stuck on it. We have only been in the States for three weeks!

On Saturday morning we upped anchor and set off north again. It was Memorial Weekend, so we were expecting lots of traffic. I don’t think we have ever seen so many fishing boats and speed boats in our lives! Most were friendly and slowed down, waving as they passed us, but quite a few went past at great speed causing lots of wake.

He slowed down when he passed us

Cleaning the prop definitely helped but there was still something wrong as the temperature went up again. Andrew needed to do a more thorough investigation into where the water was coming from.

We decided to book a mooring ball in St. Augustine for Saturday night. We couldn’t get more nights than that as they said they were full. 

As I loved St. Augustine, I am going to put it in another post. I might wax lyrical in a long post.

Titusville - part 2

On Saturday, after breakfast, we tidied up, packed up, said goodbye to all the luxuries on land, and headed back to Titusville.

We got to the dinghy dock to find our dinghy full of rain water. Somebody walked past and said it had rained a lot. We realized that we hadn't had any rain since arriving in Titusville and we were not aware of how much rain can fall in a short space of time. 

Using a sponge to get tons of water out the dinghy

I was very relieved to see Calypso still on her mooring ball in one piece! Apart from the typical musty boat smell, everything looked fine.

Soon after we arrived back a storm rolled in, with thunder and lightning right above us. The biggest gust of wind was 76 knots! The most we have seen. It was quite scary as the wind was coming from the side and not the front of the boat. It knocked us over, with things falling off shelves and falling all over the place. It didn't last for long, probably a minute or two, but it always feels like it lasts for ages.

The wind blew our port solar panel up and it went over the railing and hit the stanchion, shattering the panel. It still works but not at optimum capacity. We will have to replace it. They are only about five months old!

Smashed!

Andrew also started the engine during the storm and it overheated. He had forgotten to open the sea cocks. I hope we haven’t damaged anything.

The wind blew the lid of the braai up and Andrew had put the metal dish inside it. This flew up, spewing old brown fat all over the underside of the solar panel on the back of the boat, before flying off into the sea, never to be seen again! We had to order a new one. Thank goodness for Amazon.

I had a serious hankering for Rooibos tea. We had found some along the way but hadn't had any for a long while. We have been buying another herbal lemon and orange tea which is nice, but there is nothing like a lekker cup of Rooibos first thing in the morning. Andrew went on to Amazon and found some. Think we will be ok for a while!

A taste of home!

We spent the next few days doing household chores, washing, cleaning and provisioning. Andrew and I had gone to the supermarket before taking the car back so that we didn't have to walk back with loads of shopping. We had taken all our supplies with us to Orlando, and had nothing left on the boat.

We had been struggling with our anchor chain for a while. It gets very twisted and slips on the gypsy making it quite dangerous when raising the anchor. Laura is down below with her head in the anchor locker pulling the chain down into the lower locker to make space for the incoming chain. I always worry that her hands will get caught when the chain slips. For the past while, Andrew has been doing the chain while I drive. It is very frustrating and obviously quite dangerous. We would never be able to get the chain up in a hurry. Something had to be done!

We took the anchor off the chain, putting it in the dinghy, and dropped the chain into the water, untwisting it while it went. Then we hauled it back up again, trying to untwist it as it came up. But it still slipped at around the 25m mark, even without the anchor attached. 

We decided the best thing to do would be to cut off 20m of chain as it seemed to be worn and thinner than the other section. We put the anchor back on and hoped for the best! The last 5m or so still slipped but it was much, much better. We managed to get the anchor back on the chain without losing it in the mucky water! 

Andrew and I went ashore to get more water. We are not sure if our water maker is broken or if it is just this water that blocks the system. I am hoping that it is just this water otherwise it is an expensive fix.

We got water from the marina dock which is free. As I turned on the tap, a few drops spewed out into the water. The next moment a manatee popped its head up, catching the droplets in his mouth. I wish I had had my phone with me to take a sweet picture. 

Oil change

We had a few essential boat jobs to do before moving on, but once they were finished it was time to leave. Titusville had been a good place to stop, especially with us wanting to leave the boat for a week. 

The facilities are good and the people are friendly and helpful, and being able to get parcels delivered here was a bonus!

On Wednesday 22 May, we said goodbye to Titusville and headed north. 

Have you heard the saying that a boat is just a big, black hole that you toss $$ into? Well, in the next episode you will read about the many boat issues that arise, causing us to spend $$ which for us who have RRRands, is a lot of money.

Orlando, Florida

We had promised Laura a trip to Orlando for putting up with us taking her away from her friends and across oceans!

At first we were shell-shocked at the price, but knowing we had to do it we kind of turned a blind eye. Tina had helped me find hotels which were connected to parks, but as our eating habits are so weird we felt it would be difficult and more expensive if we stayed in a hotel. Having to eat out every night would not be the healthier option for us, nor would it be cheap.

We booked a car for the week, booked an airbnb which said it was close to the parks, packed up the boat, packed some bags and headed to Orlando, Florida. It felt weird leaving the boat on a mooring ball. We had been told by the marina staff that they don't look after boats. Let's hope their mooring ball holds.

We could only get into the accommodation after 4pm and arrived in Orlando at about one so we went to Florida Mall for a look see. It was a complete sensory overload. We had not been around so many people and noise in months! Even Cape Town malls didn’t feel this overwhelming.

There is so much choice here. For the past two and a bit years, apart from our short sojourn back home, we have been living in the islands. Food is not scarce but there is not a lot of choice. You buy what you can get and the food that is in the shop is either shipped in or grown on the island. Vegetables are very seasonal. Tomatoes, for instance, are unavailable during the rainy season.

Not dressed for fancy shopping

I'm not THAT skinny!
Our car on the right

Laura was delighted when she saw our BnB. It was all Mickey and Minnie themes complete with a stuffed Mickey and Minnie on our bed. It was quite small but big enough for us. Laura had to sleep in the lounge on a sleeper couch. She was happy as she had full control over the TV.

Bright and early on Monday morning we hopped in the car and headed to Magic Kingdom. There was quite a lot of morning traffic but we got there eventually. It took a while to buy tickets and get inside but once we were there we had fun!

ARRG! Takkies!

Had to do the tea cups

She said she wasn't smiling in the 1st photo

Haunted house

It was busier than we expected but not as busy as it could be. We had a few long waits for rides that were only 3 to 5 minutes long!

Laura absolutely loved it. We went to all the shows, watched the parade and did all the rides we could. The most arb show was the Tiki Room which was a bunch of puppets: birds, flowers and drummers singing. 

Unfortunately it started to rain at about 4pm and didn’t stop for an hour or so. After the rain the wait times on the rides were too long so we decided to call it a day.

Laura had left her toothbrush on the boat. We stopped at the biggest Target I have ever seen to buy her a new one.

The other different thing here is putting in petrol, or gas as they call it. You have to pump it yourself. This probably happens in most countries, but not in South Africa! The first time we did it in Titusville a very kind lady helped Andrew. So he knew more or less what to do. The problem is that his credit card doesn’t work at the petrol pump, so he has to go in to the shop to pay first. But he gets it done. 

We were exhausted by the time we got back to the flat at nearly 8pm. We quickly cooked supper and collapsed into bed.

Tuesday was Disney Hollywood Studios. As we had bought tickets for two days/two parks we didn’t need to stand in a queue for tickets. 

We didn’t have to wait long at our first ride which was brilliant. It got busier as the day progressed with our last ride wait time the longest at 75 minutes. It was a brilliant Star Wars ride with us driving the Millennial Falcon. Laura and I were the pilots and Andrew had to shoot things.

The other Star Wars ride was much better, with Storm Troopers. We were captured and had to flee the enemy! It was great fun. I think working on that ride must be the best. They were all dressed up and played the part of the enemy!

We watched a Frozen show which Laura loved! 

The Raiders of the Lost Ark stunt show where they demonstrated how they filmed all the stunts was very good. The backdrops were brilliant and it was fun to watch.

Toy Story was fun

It also rained a bit which made wait times longer. We decided to call it a day at around 6pm. My feet were aching from all the standing, but it was worth it.

It was so amazing to be able to do washing without having to go to a laundromat or off the back of the boat. Pop the washing on while I was cooking supper and it was all clean and dry by the time we went to bed.

Neat set-up

We woke on Wednesday to dark skies, rain and thunder. But as it was a rest day, we didn’t have to dash out too early. 

We went to Millenial Mall which is huge and has fancy shops. Then we found a Publix and bought a few Disney things for Laura. It was far cheaper than in the parks. 

After that we went back to the flat and rested our weary feet.

We got up early on Thursday morning and made our way to Universal Studios. Andrew had bought tickets the night before, so it was quick and easy into the park.

Main Street

We had a lovely time, riding the 3D simulation rides. 

Race through New York with Jimmy Fallon was a good 3D simulated ride. The only pity was we were sitting right in front so it felt like I had to look up throughout the mad dash round New York

The Fast and the Furious was amazing. You were in a truck with visuals both sides, racing through the streets. 

Universal Studios has two parks that have Harry Potter sections which can be accessed via the train, if you have paid for that option. We didn't realize what it was and tried to get access to board the train. The friendly lady at the kiosk set us straight! 

Harry Potter village was amazing and the ride was incredible. We spent quite a long time walking around, looking at all the magical shops and buildings. The dragon on top of the bank spewed fire at one point. So well done!

Gringots Bank

Butterbeer (far too sweet for me!)

We didn't have to wait too long for Men in Black, Alien Attack! 

Transformers 3D ride was unexpectedly good. 

Good old Simpsons ride

We decided we had to do the Simpson's ride for old time's sake. We did it a few times when we were here about twelve years ago. Technology has changed so much that we found this to be one of the outdated, old fashioned rides. There wasn't a long queue but we were still kept waiting. Then we were sent to a room, where more waiting happened, only to be moved again into the waiting area. Apparently there was a problem with that side and we were eventually moved to the other side to enjoy the ride. We were given complimentary fast track tickets for one ride as an apology.

Some of the shows were amazing too. The Bourne Identity one was brilliant. We kept missing the start time but eventually got there for the 3pm show. We shouldn't have worried about being late as they only got us into the auditorium at 3:15. It was amazing. I would have loved to do it again. The scenery moved across the stage giving one the impression that you were moving with the actors. They flew in helicopters and dropped from the sky into a hole in the stage! Very well done!

We had tried to do the E.T ride but that also broke down while we were in the queue, so we left and went to another ride. We went back just before we left for the day and did the ride. It was just as I remembered it, riding on a bicycle to E.T's home. We made the mistake of using our fast pass comp tickets for the E.T ride as we should have kept it for the next one.

The final ride for the day was going to be Revenge of the Mummy. The queue time was supposed to be 50 minutes. After an hour with the queue not moving at all for about 10 minutes, Andrew approached a person working there and asked what was going on. She said that one side was not working. This seemed to be a bit of a trend. We reckoned if the queue was too short they fabricated some problem or other. We decided not to wait as we were exhausted, the place was stuffy and we had waited long enough!

In the end the final activity was Villain-Con Minion Blast which was lots of fun. You step onto a moving floor and shoot aliens with a light gun as you move around the area. It was a great way to finish off the day.

Exhausted, we left the park in the evening and went back to our accommodation.

On Friday morning we went to Islands of Adventure. This time we had a strategy. We went to the Harry Potter rides first. Bonus! The queue for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was very short, so we did it twice!!

Sorting Hat

Pictures moved and talked

Then we waited a bit to do the Flight of the Hippogriff, which was fun. We decided not to do the Hagrid forest one, it looked a bit hectic.

The Skull Island: Reign of Kong was very well done. Once again we were in an open truck where you could see both sides of the action. 

It rained a bit so we stood in a long queue for the Spiderman ride. The queue was incredibly long but we didn't mind as we were out the rain. 

We splashed out on a beer and a tiny glass of wine before doing one last ride. Then it was time to call it a day.

This was The Hulk ride I did with Matt last time we were here. I was younger, braver and maybe stupider! No way did I want to do it again. Just watching the ride go around made me ill. I wondered how I ever did it the first time?!?

My watch strap had broken so we popped in to Millennium Mall again and bought a new one at the Apple Store. Laura's phone screen had a crack on it but they didn't have screen covers for her phone anymore as it is so old. She was a bit upset about that. She hates cracks or marks on her devices!

On Saturday, after breakfast, we tidied up, packed up and headed back to Titusville.

We had a lovely week in Orlando. It was a great success and Laura thoroughly enjoyed herself. Mission accomplished!