Sunday, April 28, 2013

Lobster Adventures



Up until the season ended on March 31, hunting the spiny lobster  became a  focus of attention and  one of our favourite activities.  Many hours were spent talking with many experts to learn the ins and outs of first locating, then spearing these guys.

Lobster Hunting Experiment
Equipment: wetsuit, goggles and snorkel, fins, weight belt, gloves and spear, pail.


Procedure:  1. Dinghy to a place where there are shelves of rock or coral, the hiding places of the lobster.
                   2. Throw out the anchor, get into gear and get into the water. Wife remains on watch for any sign of shark fins on the horizon.  They shouldn’t be a problem as long as there is no fresh blood in the water and hunting in late afternoon -feeding time- is avoided.  Dive down, look for antennae sticking out from under the rocks, aim and shoot.
.                         “Can’t be that hard,” says Jane.




Lobster #1 was a group effort.  Ben wounded it and Pat B. grabbed it.



In addition, Pat speared several more fish this day.

Matt and Dan gave us a bottle of wine to have in celebration of Ben's first lobster.

Jenn prepared a feast- blackened grouper, sauteed hogfish, grilled snapper and cracked lobster.

Good friends, good times.

Lobster #2
The hunting team of Ben, Ed and another Pat.



Looks like they have the lobster surrounded



Success!

Way to go Ben!


Now for the good part!

Lobster tail: Before

Lobster tail after steaming

Appetizers-  curried salsa lobster with cram cheese rolled into wraps
Almost didn't get a picture before they were all eaten!

OK Ben, go get some more!

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Man of War Cay



 It's Sojer Day on Man Of War Cay, a day to celebrate the boat building heritage of this island. 
 Below are pictures of places, activities, boats old and new on display.
Uncle Willie built boats behind his house.  This hull had been recently damaged by hurricanes.

Rope making demonstration



Boats on display:
The Tribute - a wooden boat open for tours

Check out the boom on the Abaco Rage, a Bahamian racing yacht

These wooden Man O War dinghies continue to be built by craftsmen.  

The hull of a new Albury Brothers boat- 23 ' fibreglass

A marine railroad to haul out boats needing repair
Albury's Sail Shop is now sells all shapes and sizes of canvas bags.


One of the roads to the beaches on the Atlantic side of the island.



Sea glass can be found in certain places along the beach.  You look for pieces that have been worn into smooth and interesting shapes by the waves tumbling them around the rocky outcrops.


Sunset .... you know what time it is!