George Town 2017

George Town 2017

Elizabeth Harbor entrance (George Town)

Sunday, February 12, 2017. Beautiful morning, 70 degrees, wind East 5-10, puffy clouds.  We took the dingy and went through the cut between Stocking Island and Elizabeth Island with the dingy, following the folks from Endeavor (who we met in Bimini) and their son and his girlfriend.  On the sound side (east side) of the island it is very calm, but there are still 4 foot rollers coming from 3000 miles away, so there is “surge” that will toss you onto the shore (rocks) if you are not careful.  We snorkeled about ¼ miles of the reef and then came back through the cut to the beach.  We walked the length of the south beach of Stocking Island, but still no sea beans.  Because there are so many people here, there are quite nice walking paths all over the island.

Yesterday, we met a guy who had lost his dog.  They are staying in a house on Stocking Island and the dog (4 pound Maltese) named Stella apparently wandered off.  Today, everyone is looking for the dog as they hike the island and beaches.

We moved the boat across the harbor close to Kidd Cove (named for Captain Kidd) George Town so it will be more convenient to re-supply tomorrow.  The weather is supposed to be calm.  Majestic Phoenix and At Last came to play Mexican Train this evening.

Dinghy dock at Lake Victoria (Exuma Market)

2NM  23.30.40'N  075.45.76'W

Monday, February 13, 2017. The mail (supply) boat came in and the shelves at Exuma Market are full, so today we did our grocery shopping, dropped the propane bottle off to be refilled, and went to the bank.

Late in the day, we hear on the radio that Oriental Moon has spotted the missing Stella.  The owners hurried north to Hamburger Beach and were able to find the missing dog.  Everyone in the harbor is releaved!  The dog had wandered more than 2 miles.

Tonight we had dinner at Eddie’s Edgewater.  We sat with Lee and Sherry (Alesto 2).  At about 8:00pm, there was a “Rake and Scrape” band and dancing.  Lots of people here for that. A very nice evening!

Rake and Scrape Band at Eddie's Edgewater

Tuesday, February 14, 2017. Valentines Day. More chores today.  Back to the grocery – fresh meat in today. Made four trips to town and back with fresh water to fill the tanks from jerry cans.  The water is free on the dingy dock, but you have to haul it out to the boat. We got frozen fresh fish and lobster at Trainee’s Salon (she sells what her husband catches), pink Sands (Sands Radler with grapefruit) at the liquor store and returned a case of bottles.  Bahamas beer producers are now recycling their beer bottles.  There are almost none on the side of the road anymore.

We had lunch at The Driftwood Café.  Very nice.  Chicken pesto sandwich.  Very good and not expensive, and then walked the circle road around the harbor.  We picked u[p our laundry and I bought some fragrance and a fake rose at a stand on the side of the road.

I made steak for dinner (a rare treat) for us.  A beautiful sunset this evening. Majestic Phoenix and At Last came after dinner.  Joanne brought a card game called Skip-bo.  I think we all learned to play it by the time the night was over.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Clear, wind South 5-10, 75 degrees. We made two trips to town for fuel (diesel and gasoline), went to the grocery again, the bank, and picked up some soil from Jillian (who has a place by the Shell Station).  With the soil, Lisa was able to plant a hamburger bean she found that had been cracked open. She wrapped it in wet tissue and the thing is sprouting, so maybe we will get to see what sort of plant makes hamburger beans!

Phil (Majestic Phoenix) came over and we worked on his shells to turn them into conch horns.  Lisa made flowers (on barrettes) to give out this evening.  We had dinner at Peace and Plenty (barbeque, peas and rice, cold slaw, mac and cheese).  That was followed by a “Caribbean Band”.  There were probably about 100 people there.  Nice evening!

Thursday, February 16, 2017.  Very windy this morning, wind South 15-20 going Southwest later today.  Today we changed the oil, oil filter, and fuel filter on both the main engine and the generator.  We also changed the main Racor fuel filter that feeds both the engine and the generator.  We checked the belts and all fluids as well.  Main engine hours – 2734, generator hours – 1176.
We carried fuel from shore in jerry cans and filled Rhiannon (18 gallons). Then filled with water from the shore in jerry cans also. 

We talked to BTC again, and finally are able to “top off” our phone on line, which means we may be able to keep the same number when we come again.
We picked up our filled propane tank.

Friday, February 17, 2017. Another very nice morning.  Wind less than 10 and sunny with puffy clouds. We have been traveling (off and on) with Destiny IV US.  We met them at Cambridge Cay.  He is part of a contingent of boats from Montreal and they speak primarily French.  He has been harassing us that we discriminate against him because he is French Canadian.  He complains that we never call him on the radio. So, today we called him on the radio even tho’ he is anchored right next to us!

This afternoon at 3:00pm, there is a reception of the boaters at Peace and Plenty sponsored by Exumas Tourism.  Probably about 150 people attended. There was a cash bar, free food, and free non-alcoholic drinks.  There was entertainment by a dj, a local singer, and then a group of 12 year olds, who put on a fashion show and then did a couple of Bahamian dances.  Very talented.  Afterward, the dance instructor got about 18 of the women from the audience up to learn some dance steps.  Being a very good instructor, she made all the women look like they were good at the dance.  Quite a nice show!

Entertainment at The Cruisers Reception

Afterwards, we went to At Last and played some Mexican Train.  What a nice day!

Saturday, February 18, 2017. Another beautiful morning in paradise. This morning we are off to The Exuma Foundation Garden Show.  For those of you used to the garden shows in the Boston Convention Center or Madison Square Garden, this is not that!  All the same, there were plants for sale, home made food, vendors selling jewelry, bread and other baked goods, and a rummage sale.  There were children guiding tours around the grounds pointing out plants and describing their uses.  Our guide Abby, also introduced us to a 66 year old parrot named Loco and sang a duet with Loco of Amazing Grace.  Abby is 8.

We hear a boat named “Our Love” on the radio.  It reminds us of our boys because that’s what we called them when they were little.

Lisa did some “palm weaving (making knots)” with Ilene (Aftagla) and started a basket from the fronds she and Ilene had collected. She says it is much harder than she thought it would be.

We are making sure we talk with Pierre on Destiny IV US so he does not feel neglected.

Sunday, February 19, 2017. Wind Southeast at 15-20 this morning.  Cloudy, looks like rain.  We decide to move back across the harbor to Sand Dollar Beach for more protection.  Before we leave, I made on last run to town to the grocery, gasoline for the outboard and ice. 

11:00am We move over to Sand Dollar and anchor at Noon.

2 miles

It is still bumpy over here, but the wind is supposed to go Northeast and it should smooth out. 

At 1:00pm, we went to a “talk” by Cordell Rolle about medicinal use of native plants.  The subject matter was all intermingled with a history of the Bahamas, the people, and how they all got here.  Very interesting guy.

At 2:30pm Lisa met with Deb on Scheherazade to show her how to make pine needle baskets.  Lisa learned how to do this in Marathon in 2012 and in Brunswick this past January.  While all this was going on, there were lots of people just hanging out on the beach and in the bar.  Others were playing volleyball,  Mexican Train, Checkers, etc.  Lots of activity at Chat and Chill.

We met Stephen on Magic Daulphine.  He was introduced to us by Jillian, who was trying to broker some of Stephen’s art work.  He had with him some paintings he had done on the inside of coconut shells.  Beautiful stuff.  He is teaching the kids at the elementary school how to do this. Before the afternoon was over, Lisa had talked him into teaching a class tomorrow.

Dinner on board, Lisa made pasta.  Still very windy and bumpy in the anchorage.

2NM 23.30.69'N  075.44.59'W

Monday, February 20, 2017.  Looks like rain.  75 degrees, wind Southeast at 20.  Very bumpy here.  Lisa had her coconut painting class this morning and then we had lunch at Chat and Chill.  Majestic Phoenix and At Last went south on At Last about 5 miles to snorkel.  At Last’s son Joe came in yesterday for a week’s stay with his girlfriend.  All said the spot they chose to snorkel was very rough.

At 5:00pm, we all met at At Last for drinks and appetizers.

We heard from Down Time, Greenstone and Saber Tooth.  They are at Staniel Cay.  Hopefully, we will get to see them all soon.  Down Time is carrying stuff for us from the states (repair parts and yarn for Lisa).

Tuesday, February 21, 2017. Wind Southeast at 20.  It is supposed to keep increasing.  At Last and Majestic Phoenix went north on Majestic Phoenix to White Bay to see swimming pigs and to do some snorkeling.

The wind is supposed to go South and then West as another cold front approaches.  There is no protection from those wind directions where we are currently anchored.  Some boats are moving to the other side of the harbor, which would normally provide some protection, but they are predicting 50 knot potential winds. 

Lisa made her way over to Copper Penny to buy a cover-up/dress.  Very bumpy and wet on that dingy ride.

We decide to get the anchor up and head north 10 miles to the Marina at Emerald Bay.  It is at the Sandals Resort, it very protected and they have all the amenities.  We have not been plugged in for over a month, so it will be nice to top off the batteries, water, etc as well.  The anchor is up at 2:00pm.  Once outside the harbor, it is very rough, glad it only 11 miles.  We have just the fore sail out and are making better than 7 knots.  Once inside the marina basin, it is flat, but the wind is still building.  There are many people to help us onto the dock.  Nice!  5:00pm all secured.

Lisa coined a new term today – “fallables” – anything not stowed away properly becomes a “fallable” in rough seas, especially when the boat is pitching from side to side.  There are “fallables” all over the inside of the boat as we did not anticipate such a rough passage!

11NM today. 23.37.82'N  075.54.91'W

Wednesday, February 22, 2017.  Still very breezy,  storm clouds on the horizon.  Wind South 20-25. There are about 35 boats that moved here from George Town.  Many of the boats with Kids aboard or guests moved.  While the facility is very protected – a basin carved out of rock – it still experiences “surge”.  The entrance to the marina faces east and while small, is not protected by a sea wall.  The waves hitting the shore here have come 3000 miles and can be quite large, even if the wind is calm.  While the waves themselves cannot make it through the small entrance into the marina, the energy from the waves does – moving the water in the basin back and forth creating “surge”.  The boats move around on the docks.  Not dangerous, but suddenly the boat will be pushed away from its dock and then slammed back against it.  The docks are all very sturdy and float, so that is a plus.  The dockhands tell customers to tie the boats tight to the docks to prevent this.  The only other place I have experienced this phenomena is in San Francisco.  This also makes entering and leaving the marina an interesting exercise.

Lisa and I walked around the facility which includes The Marina at Emerald Bay, Grand Isle Resort and Golf Club  (where you can buy a 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo for US$1.4 million) and Sandals Resort.

The showers are great and the laundry has new machines and is free.  After a hot shower, we played Rummy 500 – I won for the first time in history – and at 5pm, we went to The Lighthouse Restaurant for dinner with Gene and Cherie (The Riot).  It was described to us as “Quaint, on the beach, good food and not expensive”.  Very accurate description – and they have real ice cream!  It is 3 miles north on Queen’s Highway.  Gene and Cherie are sharing a rental car with another boat.

Nice evening.

Thursday, February 23, 2017. Cloudy, rain this morning. Heavy wind and rain overnight.  Good decision to be here tied to a dock. 

10:00am Clearing, wind Southwest @15+.  Nice and flat here in the marina.  A southwest wind is a bad direction for the Exumas as there are few places that offer any protection.

We borrowed the car the Gene and Cherie are sharing and went to Darville Lumber, which is not only lumber, but hardware, bicycles, appliance and most other hard goods.  George Town version of Home Depot. We were able to find attachments for the Dremel and some other items which will help with our projects to convert conch shells to conch horns.  We delivered 2 to Mariposa yesterday.

We visited Prime Meats, which we have heard about but never visited.  Great selection of meats, including beef and sausages the make on site.  Some other groceries and dairy products and produce as well.  Prices are very reasonable.

We stopped on the way back to the marina for a walk on the beach.  Beautiful beaches here.

Lisa did some laundry and I cleaned our fenders (which really need it because of the way the surge pushes the boat against the dock).

Showers and wind in the late afternoon.  Dinner on board. Rotisserie chicken (from Prime Meats), sweet potatoes and fresh green beans).

Friday, February 24, 2017.  It is clear and very windy – West @ 20+.  We decide to wait another day to head back to George Town.  The George Town Cruising Regatta begins today and there are lots of games and activities including, volleyball, a Gilligan’s Island Costume Contest, several types of small boat races, 2 big boat races, a talent show and on and on.  We will wait until we return to get involved.

We spent most of the day bathing Rhiannon.  It has been quite a while since she has had a bath (when we left New Providence).

We had dinner at the Emerald Bay Bar and Grill, which is just off the resort property.  We had pizza, which is the best we have had in the Bahamas.  Showers and bed.

Saturday, February 25, 2017.  We cast off from the dock at 10:00am, determined to make it back to George Town in time for the Talent Show, which begins at Noon.  However, this is the Bahamas, and sometimes, start times are not strictly adhered to.  One of the best signs about this was seen at Ocean Cabin at Little Farmer’s Cay:

Our Hours

Most days we open at 9 or 10

Occasionally as early as 7

But some days as late as 12 or 1.

We close about 5 or 6

Or maybe 4 or 5.

Some days or afternoons

We aren’t here at all.

And lately we seem to be here

About all the time,

except when we are not.

Then we may be someplace else….

But we might be here then too.

The skies are clearing.  Wind Southwest @ 10-15 puffy clouds, 75 degrees. Abby Singer is headed north today, back home to “liquidate”.  They have been on the boat a year to see if that’s what they really wanted to do.  After a year, a family meeting and everyone agreed that they should “sell it all” and move aboard the boat.

12:10pm Anchor down in Kidd Cove, George Town.  Anchored next to At Last.  Majestic Phoenix nearby.

11.4NM  23°30.45’N  075°45.79’W

For more information on Emerald Bay Marina click on this link

We did not miss any of the Talent Show.  It did take an hour to get a hamburger and a beer.

Lisa wound up on the Ladies Tug-of-War Team (South) – and they won.  There was then a challenge, so they had to do it all over again – and they won again!

About 4:00pm, we were overheating and headed back to the boat.

Sunday, February 26, 2017.  During the day today, the wind began it shift to the east and we decided to move back over to Sand Dollar Beach.  We are anchored very close to where we were last week.  Slow Dance, Destiny IV US, Majestic Phoenix and At Last are here.  Spirit is over here somewhere, but we have not seen them yet.

2NM 23.30.70'N  075.44.56'W

Lisa found several conch shells which should make decent horns.  I began cutting and trimming the shells.  Lisa used epoxy to fill the holes made by the conch fisherman when they get the animal out.  Sometimes, they destroy the shell.

We heard from Down Time and they plan to be here on Friday.

I have managed to catch a cold (or something) and I am being miserable.  Stuffy head, chest congestion, cough, sore throat.  Sounds like a NyQuil commercial.

Monday, February 27, 2017. The weather is still questionable and the wind out of the Southeast at 15+. However, most of the events today are held in one of the protected “holes” (coves) on the island. Today are the small boat races, which includes sailing and rowing inflatable dinghies (which resist such attempts), paddle board races and the famous “Coconut Challenge”, which involves 4 people in a dingy using flippers for propulsion and trying to gather as many coconuts as possible.  Fun to watch.

Lisa obtained some ancient Chinese medication for my cold from one of the Canadian boats. It is herbal and actually seems to be helping.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017. It is windy and rain this morning, but by 9:00am it is clearing.  By 11:00am, the wind has dropped to Southeast @ 15 and it has turned into an almost perfect day for the first of the Big Boat Races.  Some of the entrants are die hard racers, others not so much. Other Goose went into irons (stopped dead, no wind in her sails) at each of the three marks (turns) on the course.  They even went backwards around one mark!

The after race party and awards was at Two Turtles in George Town.  I am still feeling poorly and it is along trek in a dinghy from where we are anchored to town, especially in this wind.

Lisa made chicken soup for dinner.  Really hit the spot!

Wednesday, March 1, 2017.  Lisa went to Chat and Chill this morning for another coconut painting session. Afterwards, there was the Boccie Ball Tournament, followed by volleyball, the Outcasts (ala Gilligan’s Island) Party, where best costume wins.  Free rum punch for all entrants.  She may be there awhile.  Our son Jeff calls this “Adult Day Camp”.

Paradise in a coconut

I am feeling better, but still not up to par, but the Chinese meds seem to be working.  Maybe they just boost your own immune system, but I am feeling much better.  I spent most of today working on this blog, talking to our insurance agent about our boat insurance and trying to set up a spot for Rhiannon to spend the summer.  I believe that insurance companies have gotten to the point where they would be just as happy if they did not have to insure anything.

Thursday, March 2, 2017.  Today was the “Around the Island” race for “Big Boats”.  This is the second “Big Boat” race and there are about 35 boats signed up.  It has turned into a beautiful day, bit like any sailboat race, it has staggered starts and the slowest boats go out last (so as not to clog up the race course), so it takes all day.  Today was also beach golf, where they set up an 18 hole golf course on the beach so the whole thing is one big sand trap.  Why would that be fun?  

Friday, March 3, 2017.  The wind has picked up significantly and there are showers in the forecast.  Heavy clouds around, but no rain yet.  We should be OK where we are anchored as most of the predicted wind is supposed to come from the east. 

Lisa heard today that her cousin, Fred, died suddenly.  He was also a good friend, and helped us recently with some of the renovations to the house. 

Because of the impending bad weather, they are trying to finish up all the events of the Cruising Regatta today.  There is fun volleyball, beach golf payoffs and the closing ceremony (where they pick the raffle winners) all today.  We attended the closing ceremonies and were surprised how many people were not there.  Apparently, it conflicted with Trivia Night at the St. Francis Yacht Club.  Got to make sure you get your priorities straight.

The weather is closing in, but the wind has not yet arrived.  We debated heading back to The Marina at Emerald Bay, but decide to wait.

Saturday, March 4, 2017.  We called our son James to wish him a Happy Birthday.  The weather is cloudy, but the wind is still relatively calm (calm before the storm).  Lisa talked to her family and the services for Fred will be on Wednesday, so we get online to make travel plans.  It’s not that easy to get last minute seats.  Many of the flights require an overnight stay somewhere.  We finally get her a flight out tomorrow.  We also arrange a water taxi to take her across the harbor (the weather is supposed to be really bad tomorrow), and a taxi to get her from the harbor to the airport.  Whew!  Once that is done, the weather starts to get worse. By evening, it is blowing East 25-30 and rain.  We actually picked the dingy up on the davits (where we carry it when traveling) so that we would not loose in in this wind.

Sunday, March 5, 2015.  As the sailors say “it is blowing stink”.  It is raining.  The wind is steady at 25-30.  We had a gust at 42 overnight.  The anchor is holding and nothing has been damaged.  Very rough even though we are in the lee of the island.  At 11:00am, Elvis’ Water Taxi shows up and we get Lisa safely aboard for the trip 2 miles across the harbor.  She took an extra set of dry clothes with her.  Good idea! Her flight gets delayed 4 hours!  She still managed to make it to Atlanta, get through US Customs and US Immigration, and then get to her connecting flight before they shut the door.  James picked her up at Manchester Airport and she was home in bed by 1:00am.

I stayed aboard – no where to go.  There is really no where to hide from a storm.  We are in the lee of Stocking Island, but the wind is consistently over 30 knots, hitting 40 occasionally.  The boat seems to be taking it in stride, but no place for the faint of heart.  I had to adjust the dingy a couple of times as waves would hit it and knock it out of position.  Several boats have dragged their anchors.  A couple of them had no one on board and intrepid sailors went out in their dinghy’s and managed to get an anchor to hold.  Luckily, none of these hit another boat, although there were near misses. Not sure what a person would do if they went ashore in a storm and came back and the boat was no longer there.  The word irresponsible comes to mind. Not much sleep.

For more information on The George Town Cruising Regatta, pictures, events, etc. click on this link

For more pictures of Georgetown 2017, click on this link

For more information on George Town click here

Sunset over George Town

Long Cay to Georgetown 2017

Long Cay to Georgetown 2017

Thursday, January 19, 2017.  Beautiful morning, 75 degrees, no clouds, very light breeze constantly changing direction. Sognare is having starting battery issues with his dingy (a center cockpit hard bottom inflatable with a 40 hp Yamaha – can’t pull start that one!  Craig finally figured that it was a bad battery.  He talked to one of the charter boat captains that bring tourists from Nassau to the Exumas on day trips, and he took Craig’s old battery and promised to bring a new one from Nassau – probably Saturday.  Nice!

Craig (retired veterinarian who carriers a mostly complete clinic aboard Sognare) gave Cricket (Yorkshire terrier aboard Majestic Phoenix) a shot of antibiotics for her eye issue and today she seems much better. 

We also met Patti, Doug and Sophie (schnauzer mix).  Did not get the name of their catamaran anchored close by. 

Lisa continued cleaning the bottom of the boat.  It’s not bad, but hasn’t been cleaned since Vero Beach – it’s mostly scum and some very small barnacles – the paint we put on the bottom this year seems to be doing the job – Interlux ACT (original formula).

We went to the small beach on the west shore of Long Cay with Phil, Joanne and Cricket (Majestic Phoenix) and again there were lots of small conch.  Some empty shells were collected.  We donated ours to Majestic Phoenix’s collection – we have a bunch from yesterday.  It’s neat that these shells are perfect, just small.  We then took the dingys south 1 mile to Saddle Cay.  Island World is here.  This is an island of tiki huts, a bar and a big beach where the charter company (Island World) brings people on their day trips from Nassau for lunch, etc.  No one here today.  There are lemon sharks here and we saw an eagle ray right next to the dingy feeding.  Very cool!

Spaghetti dinner aboard Majestic Phoenix.  Very nice day and evening.

The limestone rocks we are anchored close to are full of nooks, crannies, and holes. When the waves are small and the wind relatively calm, the waves lapping against the rocks sounds like a burbling mountain brook.

Friday, January 20, 2017.  Beautiful morning again.  75 degrees, only a gentle breeze from the south, no clouds except way out on the horizon.  We talked to Exuma Park (at Warderick Wells) and were able to get moorings for both us and Majestic Phoenix – a cold front is supposed to show up on Sunday – lots of wind and rain.  The north mooring field has sturdy moorings and is pretty protected from every direction.  We have sat out a blow here in the past.

Anchor up at 9:40am.  Sognare is going into the anchorage at Saddle Cay for the blow and will also meet his new battery there. Majestic Phoenix will meet us at Warderick Wells.  We head north to Highborne Cay for fuel, water, ice and to get rid of a week’s worth of trash.

11:00am.  We are on the fuel dock at Highborne Cay Marina.  39 gallons of diesel, 52 gallons of water, 4 gallons of gasoline for the outboard and ice for the Gombay Smash drink.  Off the dock at 11:40 headed south “outside” (which means on the east side of the Exuma islands, the

“Sound” side, not the “Banks” side).  The seas only have about a 1 foot chop.  No rollers. Wind South at 6-10 right on our nose.  A lovely day to be motoring on the Sound (which by the way is 3000 feet deep – compared to 15 feet deep on the “Banks” (west) side of the Exumas.

12:40pm Wind South at 5-10.  We see whales spouting!  We can’t tell if it is one, two or more.  We cut the engine and coast in their direction.  We are able to get within about 40 feet of one of them.  A sperm whale!  Huge – bigger than Rhiannon!  We got to watch him for a couple of minutes before it took a look at us and then sounded with the tail straight up! Lisa got some great pictures and then discovered no SD card in the camera – what a bummer.  We were 3 miles east of Norman’s Cay in 3000 feet of water.  No telling when or where they will surface again.

3:40pm On mooring #12 at Warderick Wells (Exuma Park, part of the Bahamas National Trust).  Majestic Phoenix came in just ahead of us. We saw At Last who we met in Vero Beach in November.

Another great sunset.  Dinner on board – Benny made killer omelets.

27NM today. 24°23.71’N  076°37.94’W

Saturday, January 21, 2017.  Beautiful morning, sunny, no clouds.  Phil (Majestic Phoenix) lent us his huka (air compressor and regulator for diving) and Lisa completed the cleaning of Rhiannon’s bottom.  She then made a cake for the pot luck dinner this evening.  Instead of being held on the beach as usual, it was held on the deck at the rangers’ residence in honor of Sherry’s birthday (she’s who you hear on the radio most often and who works in the park office).  I think every boat here came to the event.  In addition to the cake, we also brought chicken stew.  Majestic Phoenix contributed candles to the birthday cake.  There was lots of food and a good time was had by all.  The cold front approaching has slowed and the weather tonight was lovely.  However, all but two boats have left the south mooring field, which will be very exposed to the west wind when the front comes through.

Sunday, January 22, 2017.  Another cloudless morning.  The wind has picked up a bit out of the south, now 10-15, 75 degrees.  Because the wind is out of the south, when the tide is coming in here, the tide and the wind are opposed, which means Rhiannon winds up riding up on her mooring.  The result is the mooring ball banging against the hull.  Noisy at 2 in the morning.

We have a pump for the forward head that is leaking (just intake water), so this morning I decide to change it out.  We have a spare.  Lisa and Phil and Joanne (Majestic Phoenix) are working as volunteers painting signs for the park.  I get the pump changed out and the brand new one leaks!  After disassembling both the new one and the old one, the place where the screws go in to hold the top and bottom of the pump together is broken – on both pumps.  I don’t know if it is a manufacturing defect or what, but luckily, I have another pump – and that one is not broken.

Last night, Mirabella was looking for a bilge pump, and we have an extra on board.  I plan to install it as a back up to the one we have (2 are better than 1), but offer it to them as theirs has quit.  They came by this morning to look at it and then decided it was not what they wanted.

Lisa and Majestic Phoenix returned from sign painting at 2:00pm.  They received an invitation to watch the NFL Playoff games (Atlanta vs. Green Bay and New England vs. Pittsburgh) from Dave (the head ranger).  So at 3:30pm, we show up at the rangers’ house.  In addition to the Park Rangers, there is a contingent of the Bahamian Defense Force and the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue (BASRA) stationed here.  They all share the same facilities.  Dave is the senior in charge, and does a lot of the cooking for the group.  There were 11 of us, including Lisa and I and Phil and Joanne.  There was an incredible amount of food including stuffed mushrooms and halapenias, 3 kinds of pizza including crawfish (lobster pizza), several kinds of conch fritters (several of the rangers each made their favorite), macaroni salad, barbeque chicken, baked stuffed crawfish (lobster) and homemade cake (Dave said it was his first ever home made cake – spice cake – delicious).  Atlanta beat Green Bay, which did not make us happy, but New England beat the Steelers which everyone seemed pleased with except Sherry.  What a great bunch of people and a great afternoon/evening!

It is very dark and the wind is coming up as we head back to the boats.  By 2:00 am, the wind is howling and the mooring field is getting rough.  The wind gauge says it is blowing 25-30 with gusts to 35 from the south.  It continues that way all night. 

Monday, January 23, 2017.  This morning is still clear, but the wind is howling.  At 9:30am we get a weather update.  The front is passing Nassau now and will arrive here about 11:00am.  Wind supposed to build to 35 with gusts to 40.  After the front passes, the wind will go into the west and within 24 hours will die down to 10-15 from the North.  Right on schedule, we can see the front approaching from the North.  By noon, lots of rain and wind.  By 3:00pm, the rain has passed, the wind has swung into the West and is blowing a steady 30.  It is supposed to continue this way all night.  At least we are not riding up on the mooring ball!

I made some ham and beans for lunch/supper and we started watching the series Lie to Me.  The wind continues at the same intensity all night.  At high tide the waves are bouncing off the rocks behind us and we are getting both the original eave and the ricochet waves.  Very bouncy.  A most uncomfortable night.  We were up many times checking on everything.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017. It cleared overnight, bright and starry.  However, the wind did not lessen until about 8:00am, and then it was still blowing 20, but it seemed like a lot less.  By noon, the winds are down to 10-15.  It is supposed to die off overnight.  Everything made it through the storm ok.

At 9:30am, Lisa and Phil and Joanne went in to the Park Office and resumed work on the signs they were painting.  The rangers gave both Lisa and Phil and Joanne dinner to take home to the boat (baked chicken, baked barracuda, 2 kinds of Bahamian Mac and Cheese (vegetarian and meat).  Again, we are eating their cooking, and again very good.

Another beautiful pink sunset.

We watched some Lie to Me and went to bed early.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017.  Beautiful morning, sunny, 70 degrees, no clouds, wind South @ 5.  We went to the office and Lisa worked on the Park sign project.  I worked on the outboard motor lift.  Majestic Phoenix left this morning for Cambridge Cay.  Lisa and I walked up Boo-Boo Hill with Dave (senior Park Ranger).  He told us the wet area in the middle of the island (covered at high tide) is a breeding ground for Lemon sharks and that at the right time, you can see the babies swim past as they head for the open water. The tradition is that you make a sign (preferably out of driftwood) with the name of your boat and the year and then place it in the pile on Boo-Boo Hill.  The pile is huge!  This guarantees you will return.  When you return, you update you sign with the current year and replace it on the pile.  Last year we were lucky enough to find Rhiannon’s sign, this year we could not find it.  Dave said a lot of the signs “got blown all over the island” by Hurricane Matthew. When we got back to the office, Dave gave us a piece of teak that we can use to make a new sign for Rhiannon.

Lisa and I went kayaking in the 2 person blow up kayak I got her for Christmas.  My seat deflated, so I let Lisa do all the paddling over to the big sand bar in the middle of the anchorage.  Nice afternoon.

Benny made Thai Curry Shrimp and then we watched another episode of Lie to Me.

Thursday, January 26, 2017. We went to the office to check out and to say good bye for now.  We will probably return in March, but one never knows.  Dave gave Lisa a bunch more teak to take hone so she can use her sand blasting machine to make them really nice.  All the wood is either teak or mahogany. It is sunny this morning, no clouds, wind SSW at 10-15.  We dropped the mooring at 10:15am.  We are motoring south into the wind.

1:00pm Passing around the North side of Bell Island, which has 3 large houses, a support dock and maintenance facility (including water purification, electric generators) and a 20 room hotel with its own beach for “guests, and a conference facility.  The island is owned by The Aga-Kahn, leader of the Ismaili Muslims.  Who says religion doesn’t pay!  More info: 

http://www.privateislandnews.com/bahamas-aga-khans-plan-for-bell-island-stirs-eco-controversy/

1:20pm We are on a mooring at Cambridge Cay (still part of Exuma Park).  Still sunny, puffy clouds, wind SSW @ 10.  At Last is here.  They come by in their dingy and invite us to their boat for cocktails and appetizers at 5.  Destiny IV US comes by and Lisa goes snorkeling with them to Rocky Dundas and meets Majestic Phoenix.

At 5pm, we go over to At Last.  They have invited all the boats in the anchorage, which is very nice, but 16 people on their boat is a bit crowded. A nice gathering tho’.

Majestic Phoenix – Phil and Joanne

At Last – John and Jackie

The Riot – Gene and Cherie (+ 1 Lab and 1 Springer)

Radio Waves – Jim and Chris

Sandy Seas – Larry and Sandy

Destiny IV US – Pierre and Emile

Mira Bella – Armand and

Slow Dance – Louie and Helene

14NM 24.18.17N  076.32.40W

Friday, January 27, 2017. Beautiful morning.  Several boats leave early.  Sunny, wind SW@10. No clouds.  Saw something float by in the current.  Lisa went after it in the kayak.  Turns out to be a CD case full of CDs – some in French.  She goes over to Majestic Phoenix to ask if it is theirs (they are from Montreal and both Joanne and Phil speak French).  It is not theirs, but they will check with other Canadian boats.

At 1:00pm (low tide), we went snorkeling with Majestic Phoenix and At Last at the Coral Garden at the south end of Cambridge Cay.  Beautiful beach there (called Honeymoon Beach) and some very nice coral with lots of fish – but quite a ways from the beach.  We then all dingied North to the Seaquarium by Soldier Cay.  The seas are very calm and we took the outside route (in the Sound) – beautiful scenery.  Lots and lots of fish and beautiful coral at Seaquarium.

A long ride back to the boat.  Lisa made stir fry for dinner.  Afterwards, we went to Majestic Phoenix for a movie.  At Last came also.  REDS.  Great movie! Nice day!

Saturday, January 28, 2017. Sunny, 70 degrees, wind South @ 5.  No clouds.Anchor up at 9:10am.  We left Cambridge Cay through the south entrance, which has one very narrow and shallow spot (called Kiss Rock – that’s how close you are to it), but no issues today.  It is almost high tide.  At Last and Majestic Phoenix follow us out.  We are motoring at 6.5 knots. 

12:40pm Anchor down at Big Major Spot.  There are about 20 boats here including some we have met previously (Mirabella, Destiny IV US, Slow Dance).  Majestic Phoenix and At Last follow us in. This is the site of the famous Pig Beach , home of the swimming pigs, and there are many tour boats bringing visitors from the area resort to feed the pigs.  If you have an inflatable dingy (as most cruisers do), you have to be careful that a 300 pound pig does not try to climb into you dingy – and tear a hole in it with their hooves.

14.5NM today.  24°11.26’N  076°27.49’W

Dinner on board.

Sunday, January 29, 2017. Sunny, but the wind is beginning to build from the East. I took a load of trash over to Staniel Cay (very bumpy ride) and while I was gone Lisa cleaned out the aft stateroom (currently used for storage) so we can change out a defective macerator pump.  The pump is the mechanism used to empty holding tanks at sea – always a fun task.  Lisa went exploring around the north end of the island while I changed the macerator.  The job was not as messy as it could have been, and we now can empty the aft tank.

We made a cucumber, onion and carrot salad (that we learned how to make at Publix) and had dinner at At Last with Majestic Phoenix.  We played Mexican Train – a fun night for all.  Back on board at 9:00pm. 

10:00 pm, the wind swings to the Northwest and picks up significantly.  Bumpy in the anchorage tonight.  Heavy rain overnight.

Monday, January 30, 2017.  Clouds and rain until 10:00am. Cleared in the afternoon.  Wind North 15-20.  The wind lets off a bit late in the day. Majestic Phoenix is rolling badly side to side and decides to move a bit north to Samson Cay.  He reports later that it is more comfortable there.  By evening, the wind has gone into the Northeast and we are now in the lee of Big Major.  The wind appears to have let up some also.

Dinner is left over Thai Curry Shrimp and sautéed Brussel Sprouts. 

Tuesday, January 31, 2017.  The wind died off completely overnight.  Cloudy and cool this morning, looks like rain.  By 9:00am, the clouds begin to clear.  We take the dingy over to Staniel and drop off more trash, then visit with Karen, the nurse.  We have three bags of supplies for her.  Some we purchased and  donations from 2 other boats in Vero (Lynks and EllandI). 

Nurse Karen and Happy

Our next stop was at the BTC office to get our phone registered.  Not sure why this is an issue, but last year it took three visits as well to get everything working.  The store is closed and there is a sign on the door saying “Outage, Closed, Management”.  I was able to call BTC, and this time they were able to make what ever correction was required over the phone.  So, we are good for now and out voice mail is working.

We walked to Isles General Store to buy some groceries and say hello to Berkie Rolle. He and his wife Vivian own the store and he is also the pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church.  We attended Easter services there last year.  Quite an experience!

We visited Eloise at “The Blue Store”, and then made a stop at “The Pink Store”. We walked over to Staniel Cay Yacht Club.  We had lunch at the bar with several other boaters – Fried Mahi and Onion Rings – yum!  We headed back to the boat.  Shortly afterward, a dingy comes by with New Hampshire registration and we beckon them over.  They are Rich and Ruthie on Spirit from Sandown, NH.  Cool.  We hear Orient Moon on the VHF.  We originally met them in Saint Augustine in 2014.  We talked to them and maybe will see them tomorrow.

Dinner on board – left over stir-fry.

Lisa made a great Lasagna for tomorrow night.  Majestic Phoenix left today for Black Point.  At Last has left also.

Another beautiful sunset and we see our third “green flash” of the trip!

Click here for more info on the green flash

Wednesday, February 1, 2017.  Rain overnight – heavy at times.  Finally began to clear around noon today.  I did computer stuff (email, bills, typing this blog).  Lisa went snorkeling at the Thunderball Grotto (where some of the James Bond film of the same name was filmed) with Ruthie (Spirit).

We put all the “stuff: back in the aft statertoom.  I put an additional support under our new shelf (it is 6 feet long and we don’t want it to bow in the middle).  The the inside of the boat got a good cleaning.

At 5:30pm, Rich and Ruthie (Spirit) and Terry and Leslie (Orient Moon) came for dinner.  We had Lisa’s lasagna and Caesar salad.  We then played Mexican Train.  A good time was gad by all.

Lots of boats anchored here now.  The Farmers Cay First Friday in February Festival begins tomorrow (known as the 5Fs) - (I know, tomorrow is only Thursday) and runs through Saturday.  Many of these boats are headed that direction (south – about 10 miles).

Thursday, February 2, 2017. We texted with our son Jeff today concerning the health of one of the dogs.  He took the Schnauzer (Precious) and the Lab (Costis) with him when he moved out to Salt Lake City.  You may have read about that adventure previously.  Anyway, Precious is getting older and having some issues and a special diet is called for.  We told him we would assist with the cost.  It’s good that the dogs have adjusted and are with family.

It was clear early today, but murky now, looks like rain coming.  Anchor up at 10:30am after putting 11 gallons of fuel in the tank from the jerry cans.  We also dumped the three jerry cans of water into the tank – and 3 cans that Majestic Phoenix had extra.  We made our way over to Staniel Cay Yacht Club to top off and refill jerry cans and between the time we called and asked to come in and the time we got there a large motor yacht scooted in and beat us to the dock.  We decided not to wait until he filled his tanks and set off for Little Farmers Cay.  Fore sail out, making 5 knots as we cruise south.

Noon – sun peaking out, wind ESE @ 10-15.

2:30pm Anchor down in 10 feet of water at the southwest corner of Little Farmers Cay.  Wind East @ 10-15, sunny, big puffy clouds.  At Last anchored nearby.  Majestic Phoenix on the opposite corner of the island close to the west shore of Big Guana Cay.

There were free food and drinks at the Little Farmers Yacht Club at 4:00pm.  We did not get there until 5:00pm and all the “free” stuff was gone.  Lots of people here.  We decided to head over to the other side of the island to Ty’s Beachside Grill for a burger. Bill and his “new” companion/crew Patricia (Providence) are here.  So is Spirit (Rich and Ruthie), At Last (John and Jackie) and lots of other boats – some we have met, some not.  Ty’s is out of buns, so Lisa’s Cracked Conch salad turns into Cracked Conch and Fries and my hamburger turns into a plain patty (way overcooked).  Won’t eat here again during this festival.

Beach in front of Ty's

20NM 23.57.11'N  076.19.29'W

Friday, February 3, 2017.  Rain and wind ( East @ 20) overnight and this morning. We rode over to see Majestic Phoenix and saw a lot of the Class C boats being rigged and “warming up”.  On the way in to the harbor, we saw Submit (Reggie and Barbara) anchored in the channel, so we went over and said hello.  We met them last year in Bimini and then again in Georgetown.  All of us wound up “in town”, where we were told that in previous years there were many vendor tents with food and items for sale.  This year there are only a couple here and we are told that they have limited vendors to residents of the island.  There are only 55 residents, so that severly limits the size of the “festival”.

There are lots of sea turtles and rays in the harbor and someone if feeding them and another person is in the water with a go-pro.  Great until a shark shows up!

Turtle in Little Farmers Harbor

We had cracked conch from Percurties Market and bought a t-shirt.  Two places are playing very loud music with DJs, but very few people here.  We decide to head back to the boat in the face of some very black clouds rolling towards us.  We get back to the boat just ahead of the deluge.

Today is supposed to be a Class C warm up race and there are many boats out, but there is no wind and the rain is heavy.  We did get some great pictures tho’.

At sunset, we head back over to Ty’s and had a beer.  Saw Temerity, Providence, Radio Waves, Spirit and lots of others.  Probably 100 boats anchored around the island  and the island restaurants are all jammed.

We are back aboard at 7:30pm as it starts to rain again.

Saturday, February 4, 2017. Cloudy, 70 degrees, looks like rain, wind East @ 15-20.  There are supposed to be three races today.  At 10:00am Spirit and Silhouette are going for a hike to see the cave by Oven Rock on Big Guana Cay.  We decide to join them, but by the time we get to Spirit in the dingy, it is starting to rain.  We wait for a bit for a break in the weather, and then head to shore.  By the time we get ashore and the dingy secured, it has dumped rain on us and everyone is soaked.  Luckily, the rain and the temperature are warm and there is little wind.  The cave has a huge opening and goes down about 90 feet and ends in a large pool.  One end is deep and there a small shrimp in the water.  I don’t care for caves, but everyone else thought it was great.  Lisa wants to come back at some point with a snorkel and a light.

We all then trekked over to the small beach and looked for sea beans.  Everyone found at least one.  Silhouette found 6 and Spirit 3.  Lisa and I found 4.  All of them were heart beans and found in the rip-rap at the high tide line.

We headed back to the boat.  The Class C races are in full swing, but in the dingy, the water is very rough.

Class C Boat from Nassau

A late lunch, then Lisa went back out in the dingy to take more pictures.  She went ashore at Ty’s and the dingy swamped in the waves and she had to empty out the water and sand before returning to Rhiannon.  Rain late in the day again.  At Last came to dinner – roasted chicken and potatoes and salad – then Mexican Train.  Nice evening.

About 8:30pm, a big Lagoon 45 catamaran comes into the anchorage and anchors right in front of us.  Once they drop back, they are only about 50 feet from our bow.  What’s up with that?  If he drags his anchor at all, he will be on top of us.

Lots of wind and rain overnight.

Sunday, February 5, 2017.  Super Bowl Sunday. Cloudy and rain again this morning.  We see TBD in the distance aground on a sand bar.  4 dingys show up and push him sideways, then spin him around off the bar.  Nice to have help!

At 11:00am, Partly Cloudy, cool 65 degrees, wind ENE @ 10-15. We weigh the anchor and head north towards Black Point.  Most of the boats are gone now and the race participants are towing their boats home or loading them on the mailboat Captain C in the harbor. One of the Class C boats sunk yesterday when making a turn with too much sail – swamped and went down.  No one was hurt.  This morning they are trying to raise it (its only in 12 feet of water). By noon, the sun is out and the wind has settled to 10-15 out of the East.  A nice sail north 11 miles. You can still see rain in the distance, but it seems to be moving away.

At 1:30pm, anchor down close to Rockledge Laundry.  About 30 boats here.  Lorraines, DeShamons, Scorpios all having Super Bowl specials and happy hours. 

At 6:00pm, we head to Scorpios to meet a bunch of boats (Majestic Phoenix, At Last, Orient Moon, Sandy Seas, Spirit, Sea Turtle).  There are about 60 people in Scorpios, some from boats, some locals).  We had ribs, mac and cheese, salad.  The food was great.  Once the third quarter started and the score was 28-3 Falcons, the satellite feed went out, so we headed back to the boat – pretty dejected, but the Falcons fans were ecstatic.  Once back on the boat, I was able to get the game on NFL.com and the score was 28-20.  The game ended in a tie 28-28 and then the Patriots won in overtime 34-28.  First time anyone has come back from such a deficit, first time anyone won in overtime, first time anyone has won 5 Super Bowls – I won’t go on.  BUT, I would have loved to see Goodell had Kraft the Lombardi Trophy!

Lisa and I jumped in the dingy and went around to all our friends who a Falcons fans and blew the air horn and made sure they were awake and knew the outcome of the game!

14NM today. 24°05.90N 076°05.18’W

Monday, February 6, 2017. Beautiful, 75 degrees, sunny, wind East @ 10.  At 9:00am, we load up all our dirty laundry and head in to the laundromat. Lots os people doing the same thing.  Lots of hangovers this morning.  After filling 5 washers, we visited Mrs. Adderley (who Lisa brought fabric to last year).  And then to Lorraine’s mom (Peermon) for her famous coconut bread.  We dropped the supplies we brought at the nurses’ office, but she was not there, but someone who was cleaning said she would make sure the nurse got them.  We met Eualise, who works at the school.  She brought Lisa a dry coconut to the laundry when we were putting the laundry in dryers.  Miss Ida (who owns the laundromat) always has something for her patrons to eat – this morning it was pastry twists and carrot cake.  We shared a twist – hmmm good!  Laundry finally done and we head back to the boat.

Submit is here and we invite them to have drinks and appetizers.  Nice visit.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017. Sunny and more windy this morning – ESE 10-15+.  Lifted the anchor at 10:00am and went south to Jack’s Bay.  Anchor down at 11:00am. We dingied to shore and walked across the short path to the Sound side of the island.  The area is fairly low and you can tell the water overflow it during a storm as there is “beach junk” strewn everywhere.  The cove on the Sound side is small, almost like a pool, with a very small opening.  Nice swimming.  We looked everywhere, but found no sea beans and few shells.

Back to the boat and the anchor up at 4:00pm.  The wind has switched more to the south and it is rolly here.  We head down Great Guana Cay to White Point and then to Heddy’s Land and find the same conditions.  We decide to head back to Black Point (only 5 miles). 

Anchor down at 5:30pm next to Submit at Black Point.  After dinner, we went to Submit to play Pinnacle – haven’t done that is a long time and Lisa has never played.  Lisa and Barbara wound up as partners and won!  Nice evening!

12NM today. Jack’s Bay 24°03.32’N  076°22.63’N  Black Point anchorage 24°06.06N 076°24.07’W

Wednesday, February 8, 2017. Walked into town and dropped off trash and went to Lorraine’s for breakfast.  She made us scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes, coffee and orange juice ($12).  A huge meal.  We then walked next door to the laundromat and Benny got a haircut (another of Miss Ida’s services).  Back to the boat and good-byes to Submit who is beginning the trek north.  They may go to Lucaya and may see Whisper there.  We told them to give Vic and Marilyn a hug is they see them.

12 noon Sunny, wind West at 5, 75 degrees, puffy clouds as we raise the anchor and head south toward Galliott Cut.  We stay on the Banks side of the islands and arrive at the cut at 2:45pm.  The next island south is Cave Cay and we decide to head there.  We anchor off the marina at Cave Cay.  at 3:30pm. There was a lot of construction here not long ago.  There was to be a resort, golf course etc.  The marina is in a cove and is complete, but no one is there, just a big sport fishing boat sitting at one of the docks.  There are three big houses, some smaller cottages and an air strip, but no people.  Lots of sheds and construction equipment and signs everywhere saying the island is private. The houses are built high above the water, there are nice beaches and two protected coves – one where they built the marina.  For more information

http://www.christiesrealestate.com/eng/sales/detail/170-l-55-f1504122054700001/cave-cay-private-island-exumas-ex

The sound was calm, so we took the dingy and circumnavigated the island.  We stopped at a very nice beach on the sound side.  The beach was very clean and again, we found few shells and no sea beans.

We went into the cove north of the marina and there is a big grotto, lots of sea turtles and lots of fish – all sizes. If you were going to own an island, this would be a good one.

Musha Cay is directly across from Cave Cay.  Musha Cay and neighboring Rudder Cay are owned by David Copperfield.  If you are looking for a luxury getaway, Musha Cay is available for rent beginning at a mere $39,000 per night (for 12 guests – all inclusive).  See this link for more information   http://www.vladi-private-islands.de/en/islands-for-rent/caribbean/bahamas/musha-cay/

Only one other boat anchored here. Luck of a Fool.  We stopped to say hello.

Benny made French Toast with Miss Peermon’s coconut bread and bacon for dinner.  Delicious!

We filled the fuel tanks from the remaining two jerry cans and prepared Rhiannon for an early departure.

16 NM today  23°54.14’N  076°16.20’N

Thursday, February 9, 2017.  Cold front due to pass through tonight, so lots of boats headed to the relative safety of Georgetown.  Weather is benign now, sunny, wind S @ 5, big puffy clouds.  
8:00am Anchor up. We are motor sailing on the sound at 6.5 knots.

We receive an email from Heather, whose husband Zack (ZD Tree Service) at home – that when Zack plowed the driveway yesterday, he found the side door to the garage open.  We thought it had been nailed shut!  Our son James went over to the house to check and said that the door was not nailed, or locked.  Nothing seems to be missing and nothing else is disturbed.  Thank Goodness!  He closed and locked the door and put in a couple of screws.  Zack went by later and put a couple more from the outside.  James and Laura stay at the house a couple of night a week (depending on their work schedules) to make sure everything is ok.

10:30am, wind south 8-10, we are passing Glass Cay and you can see a blow hole spouting water on the shore.  Neat!

Noon, wind variable less than 5.  Sail furled.  5 miles to Conch Cut – the turn for the entrance to Elizabeth Harbor (Georgetown).

2:30pm Anchor down at Sand Dollar Beach, Stocking Island across the harbor from Georgetown in the lee of the island for the coming high easterly winds.  As we are getting settled, Island Pearl comes over in his dingy to inform us “don’t get close, because my engine is dead and I have 150 feet of chain out”.  What???  The water is only 10 feet deep and the proper “scope” for anchor is 7 to 1- so even if the water were 12 feet deep and his height off the water were 3 feet (his is a relatively small boat) the proper length of anchor rode would be 105 feet – and that’s with rope not chain – with chain it is usually 5 to one so the proper length is 75 feet, which is what we have out as does everyone else in the area!  We have heard of people doing this before and it is usually a tactic to keep anyone from anchoring near them.  Anyway, we watch him over the next couple of days and he is not swinging a circle of 300 feet.  Maybe he did not tell us the truth or maybe his chain is in a ball under his boat.  He is still telling everyone that comes in the “150 foot of chain” story.

Larry and Sandy (Sandy Seas) come by in their dingy and welcome us to Georgetown.  Cignet (Bob and Chesley) call on the radio and said they saw us come in and welcome us.  They are members of Jubilee in Beverly, MA, and we have known them for a long, long time.  We saw then this year in Vero and talked to them on the radio when they were in Black Point a couple of weeks ago. Majestic Phoenix got here yesterday and is anchored over by Georgetown provisioning. 

44.8NM today.  23°30.80’N  075°44.56’W

Friday, February 10, 2017.  Today was very windy, so we stayed aboard.  Majestic Phoenix moved over to this side of the harbor.  Later At Last came in, but it was uncomfortable where they anchored, so they move over close to us and far enough from Island Pearl to not cause an issue.  Later Mariposa (catamaran) came in and anchored right in front of us – not 50 feet away – why to catamarans do that?

Aftagla came by.  They had been on the radio asking for help with their tablet.  Apparently, it weant to reformat the SD Card where everything is stored. We managed to get their pictures and documents off onto a flash drive so the SD card could be reformatted without loosing everything.  Their email is Gmail, so that is on the cloud and should be ok.  Ilene weaves, so tomorrow, she and Lisa will get some palm fronds and Lisa will at last be able to learn to weave them.

We went to Majestic Phoenix for dinner.  At Last was there too. Phil had caught come conch and someone showed him how to clean them and make conch salad.  We had that, baked pasta and cake for dessert.  Quite a feast.  Afterwards, Mexican Train.  Lisa and Joanne have low scores, John and Phil high ones.  Jackie and I are sort of in the middle (at least so far).  Nice evening.  Very bumpy getting back to Rhiannon.

Saturday, February 11, 2017.  Nice sunny morning.  Wind still strong out of the East, but we are close in to the lee shore and the water is relatively calm.  We hear a call on the radio for some screws for the prop zinc on a MaxProp.  We have some, so Valentine came over.  2 good deeds in 2 days.  Lisa and Ilene went in search of the correct palm fronds and I worked on this blog.  Lisa went back after lunch and constructed a hat, but then gave it away.
We walked across the island with At Last, Majestic Phoenix and about 5 other boats - to the beach on the Sound side.  The whole east side of Stocking Island is a beach.

The wind has calmed down quite a bit.

Since we left Brunswick, we see little black ants every so often.  Not a lot and not often, but we have never had the issue before.  We have sprayed and set out the traps where they carry the bait back to the nest and they go away for a while, then re-appear a few days later.  We have looked everywhere and have not found a nest or even a concentration of the critters.  We today, I pulled out a shamoix. These are stored in plastic tubes and each tube has a little hole in the bottom.  In this was the nest!  The ants were coming and going out of the one little hole and had built their home in the tube with the chamois.  Doused it in ant spray, sealed it in a zip lock bag and then in a trash bag to go ashore.  Hopefully, that was the end of it.  Still not sure how they got on the boat in the first place, but we never had an issue before this summer in Brunswick.

Dinner on board – chicken, sweet potato and green breans.

Click on this link to see more pictures of Long Cay to Georgetown