Go Ravens!!

Not much else need be said!! Yes, indeed...there is Purple Pride in the Bahamas!! We spent a raw, blustery day aboard Equinox firmly ensconced in front of the salon television today, cheering on the Baltimore Ravens in their win over the New England Patriots in the first-round wildcard NFL playoff game. Totally over-rated by all the announcers and sports analysts, the Patriots were the heavy favorite. So, we were delighted with the way the Ravens played, right from the start!!

As far as local matters go though...we're really getting pounded about in this slip by these relentless northwest winds!! This whole side of the island is exposed to winds from this direction, and the slip we're in offers no protection either. In fact, we're about in the worst possible position, with the winds and waves hitting us on the aft starboard quarter. We've spiderwebbed the boat in as best as possible amongst the pilings available, but we're still rocking and rolling. Ron says he feels like we're underway, and he's right. After going to bed tonight (in Ally's cabin, in a vain attempt to escape the noise from the forward lines) the winds picked up to 30 knots sustained, with gusts to 35 kts; the creaking of the lines got so bad, we went out at 2 a.m. to add yet another pair of lines, trying to diffuse the load on the pilings. The stern line is taut as can be....I can't imagine the load on that. These winds can stop any time now!!

SYNOPSIS... A STRONG PRESSURE GRADIENT ACROSS FLORIDA AND ADJACENT WATERS WILL CONTINUE TO RESULT IN STRONG NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS TONIGHT. WINDS WILL START DECREASING ON MONDAY WITH SUBSIDING SEAS. EASTERLY FLOW WILL RETURN TO THE AREA BY THE END OF THE WEEK AS SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE DEVELOPS EASTWARD INTO THE ATLANTIC.