We anchored on Monday night in Banana River….and no, there weren’t any!  On the second day rather than anchor at Vero Beach we opted to come into the municipal marina which was a comparatively inexpensive $1.60 per foot and which the reviews described as “friendly”.  We found there were as many boats moored outside the marina as there were on the slips and a thriving community of live-aboards.  (Apparently so many people arrive in Vero and decide to stay it is nicknamed “Velcro Beach”). 

We ended up staying an extra day because the temperature was forecast to plummet once again as a result of a bitterly cold North/North West wind.

There was a notice on the Club House wall inviting cruisers to join a breakfast meeting of the C.L.O.D.s (Cruisers Living Off Dirt).  Overheard conversations are along the lines:  “How long are you staying?”  “Until end of April”…..!  The monthly rate here is $13.50 per foot.

I’m sure one of the reasons Vero Beach appeals to Snowbirders is because there is a good bus service which – oh joy! – stops at the Marina and offers the means of getting to the local Mall (with supermarket and West Marine) and a connection to the Walmart hypermarket on the outskirts.  In the other direction the same bus takes you to the beach.

We considered ourselves fortunate to have found a bus service (of sorts) at St Augustine and Titusville.  Although there was a schedule, the gap between outgoing and incoming journeys didn’t make it particularly convenient in all instances but I could see it was an invaluable service to disabled people who were able to book the bus (in the same way you would a taxi) and which make a diversion (if necessary) to pick them up.  The drivers were on first-name terms with their regulars and very efficient at getting wheelchairs onto the bus and properly anchoring them.  The fares were a modest $1.25 per journey or $3.00 for a day ticket.  However here in Vero Beach, not only is the bus network extensive and the service hourly here at the marina but when we consulted one of the live-aboards waiting at the stop as to how much we would need in change for the fare she told us it was free although we could make a voluntary contribution – but that most people didn’t put anything in the box.  Indeed on the occasions I have put money in, it was apparent from the noise as it hit the bottom that there was nothing else in the box!

Our next stop is Stuart but we found out yesterday there is a 3-day Boat Show this weekend and so we need to establish we can get a mooring (rather belatedly trying to be economical…!).