Exploiting the Lobster Condo

January 6 - January 12, 2007

Friday, January 12, 2007 - Hamburger Beach Anchorage, George Town, Exumas
By Tom

The wind continues to blow 20 plus for days on end. We had what we thought was going to be a several day weather window, but by the time it arrived, it ended up being exactly 18 hours long. Instead of making an out island trip, I went with George from Sequel out to the reef to try and stock up on dinner.

I guess if you had to find something good about all this wind, it would be that the lobsters are mega-plentiful. With so few calm days, the lobsters have been congregating and on the rare day we can dive, the lobsters have been standing in line waiting us.

Today was no different. I found my first lobster (I will call him Bob) right as I got in the water to check my dinghy anchor. Bob was apparently as conscientious about his dinghy anchoring as I am. He came out of his cave to help me inspect my set and we conferred briefly about the state and security of my dinghy's anchor. Bob and I both agreed that it would hold just fine. When the conversation lagged, I shot him in the head.

A little while later, I pulled myself upside down and head first into a small cave to check for signs of life. I almost swallowed my snorkel when I saw five sets of eyes and antlers waving back at me.

I shouted "Ahhhhh", which for those of you interested, comes out underwater as "gurgle gurgle plllft". Then I shouted "Oh Shit!" . When the lobsters responded in unison, "Oh Shit!", I knew I had found the holiest of holies, the ever elusive Lobster Condo!

I quickly shot the nearest one in the head as his four remaining room mates headed for the emergency exit. I retrieved my spear and quickly reloaded while lobster number 1 was still attached. I moved around the outside of the condo to the closest door I could find. In a flurry of legs and antlers, the door flung open right in front of me. I shot my spear and lobster number 1 through the doorway, impaling lobster number 2 in the process.

I was quickly running out of air, so I retrieved my spear and broke for the surface. While on top, I removed both lobsters and tossed them into the dinghy and dove back down to the Lobster-minium. By now total pandemonium had ensued and all of the citizens of Lobster Manor were out in the streets running for cover.

I saw a large, plump morsel running backwards away from the crowd and I swooped down and stabbed him like one of those guys does to litter on the highway. In all, I saw at least 6 lobsters come out of the one housing unit, but except for the three I mentioned the rest got away.

While I was speculating in the real-estate market (get it...lobster condo), George was busy tracking down 6 more bugs. I always tell people that George is old eagle eyes when it comes to spotting lobsters, but after today I should amend that and also say that he's like Helen Keller when it comes to shooting them. George only managed to bag 2 of the 6 overall.

Of course I talk a good game, but truthfully I only managed to go 5 for 11 on the day. Neither one of us will be going to the hall of fame on those kind of numbers.

In local news, Bruce from Different Drummer and his twin brother Brian on Tonga Time both arrived yesterday. Both of the twins are really good volleyball players and it will be fun to have them around again.

In international news, we finally received our mail from the U.S. My dad mailed it sometime in mid November I think. It only took 10 weeks and 50 dollars to get here, but such is life. Also included in the mail was my new (to me anyway) auto pilot head that I bought from a guy on the PDQ website. I put it on in about 15 minutes and we are now ready to be auto piloted.

Boats continue to mass in the harbour. I think someone said there were around 200 cruising boats here, but there is still plenty of space to stack another 900 or so. Ok, that just about brings you up to speed. Stay tuned......