05/02/2012
The weather has cleared, we are off to the south! Sunday and Monday we had epic rain, stuck down below for both days. Had a nice day at the beach yesterday and this afternoon we will sail to Fowl Cay for our morning departure to Long Island, Calabash. Seems like we have been here forever.
Many boats in the anchorages are leaving, most back north, some south. Met at the Chat-N-Chill yesterday with boats going south.....NO ONE has made the trip in the past. We all seem to be leaving different days, but will loosely monitor radios and SSBs.
Happy belated 1st anniversary to our daughter Dana and her husband Jon. We love you both!
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04/26/2012, Georgetown, Exuma
So......it seems dinghy motors have minds of their own. Who knew that a few grains of sand could put them in the ER? After not one, but TWO surgeries ours is back in good shape. All it took was taking apart the carburetor and boiling everything in soapy water. After a couple of days, Bob is back to hauling water from town.
The regatta is in full swing and it's been fun to watch, right from Adastra. Makes doing the laundry, by hand, less boring! We've met some very nice people here, and plan on heading out (weather) Friday, with Silvio and Varina, a Swiss couple with a 41 Morgan Out Island. Ed and Betty, you would love their boat, especially the front loading washer/dryer combo.
VHF channel 68 is the cruisers way of communicating here. And boy, do they communicate. The social life in Georgetown can't be matched, it's easy to see why so many people stay here year after year. Dinghy drifts, (fun idea for MSA), poker nights, and all manner of get togethers. I am ready for some quiet though and can't wait to take off for points south.
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04/22/2012, Georgetown, Exuma
We are at Volleyball Beach , the east side of Elizabeth Harbour. Very nice anchorage with a great beach (you can hand feed the rays) and a nice local hangout, Chat N Chill. We motored in from Cave Cay, where Barracuda Bob finally caught something edible, a gorgeous mutton snapper (we had to use our fish book for identification, because Jon isn't here). A superb dinner at a calm, peaceful and nearly empty anchorage.
It's a little tricky coming into Elizabeth Harbour, definitely need someone at
the bow if it's new to you. Our darling Leo chewed through the GPS cable as we were entering, so we had a "moment"........no worries, though, I was at the helm, Bob on the bow, and our marriage savers worked!
We plan to stay here a few days to catch some of the Regatta, we have a prime spot for viewing. Georgetown is transforming itself in anticipation, food shacks being erected everywhere. The local grocery is pretty well stocked if expensive. It's also convenient, but we have to haul jugs across the harbor to get water and fuel. Too windy for that today!
On a sad note, my mother passed away Friday morning. We plan on continuing our trip and holding a service at a later time.
Judy
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I sure enjoy looking at your pics and reading of sailing adventures. I am living vicariously through your blog. Say hi to Bob and may you continue to have smooth sailing.
04/15/2012, Black Point, Great Exuma Island
Arrived here Friday the 13th, we are just great with dates! Beat the weather in, barely. Blowing 20-25 knots and seas outside are big. Will be here until Wednesday, when the forecast calls for easing wind. Black Point is a very nice place to lay up, a little settlement of a few hundred people. (click on location) Very friendly people, and the kids love Leo. Many of the island residents have a surname of Rolle, and the Bahamas is the birthplace of the actress Esther Rolle. We had to leave Leo at home for dinner, which was a unanimous choice of grouper for all three of us. Yum. Kalik is the beer choice in the Bahamas, and it's really pretty good.
Too windy to take the dinghy into town this evening, we will conjure up a canned gastronomic delight instead. In the Islands, it's all good.
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04/12/2012
Hi! Beautiful weather, beautiful place to spend a couple of days. Park has moorings for about 20 boats, all on the exterior of a gorgeous lagoon. Snorkeled today, saw a ray, big lobsters and lots of other fish. Hiked Boo-Boo Hill, this island is a wonderful example of how plants can survive with very little fresh water. On to Great Guana Cay first light, Black Point is the settlement there. Hoping to do laundry and have some time with Leo ashore. A little alternator trouble, but nothing we can't deal with, especailly since we have a back up. Very spotty internet, but I can't say I mind much! Bought a reader for the camera in Nassau, but we of course lost it. I also lost my prescription sunglasses overboard, but found 2 pair in the pressure cooker today! God is looking out for us.
Judy and Bob and Gary
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If you found two pairs of glasses in the pressure cooker, try the oven for your next glasses windfall...Travel Safe and Have Fun!
To the Queen!
Sharktini
04/08/2012, Nassau Bahamas
Ok......a little more time now to actually think about the last week. We motor sailed the majority of the way to Rodriguez Key, where we anchored to prepare for the morning crossing of the Gulf Stream. Quite uneventful, we motored across smooth seas. Anchored at Gun Cay, SE. Again, easy peasy. Gary, Bob and I swam and snorkeled a bit in beautiful, clear water. Weighed anchored at 0330, or actually woke to a dragging anchor! No harm done, we took off and motored to Chub Key. Anchored and had a great dinner, chili dogs! Next up, Nassau. Hoisted the anchor at 0530 and headed for Nassau. WOW! Wind and seas climbed steadily as we sailed.......pretty steady 25 knots, gust to 30, and seas 5-7. Very sloppy, and we've learned that we are no experts when it comes to stowing gear! We did manage to sail most of the day, double reefed. Bob L and Gary have been great crew, and we were all very happy to pull into Nassau Harbor Yacht Club.
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To have him as copilot when at sea. thanks for keeping us posted of your adventures.
