Well, the north winds have brought rain, and lots of it.

The forecast suggests it should last for 4-5 days, which is wonderful for the locals who are generally out of water in their cisterns.

On most of the out islands, the only source of water is rain collected in large 12,000 gallon cisterns under the buildings. It hasn't rained here in the Abacos since August, so lots of folks have run out of water.

We visited a Marina yesterday (Other Side Marina in Black sound) who had run out of water, gas, and diesel........the marina is for sale!

It is now impossible to find a place to do laundry, as no-one wants to provide the precious fresh water.

Some wealth folks have water delivered (ie: HopeTown Harbour Lodge) at $1.00 per gallon to keep the toilets flushing (although almost all of the toilets use salt water).

If the rain lets up, we'll work on the beach adding to our collection of brain coral.

I found a freighter this morning offering West Palm Beach to Green Turtle Cay passage every week of the year for $150/person. I'm seriously considering the overnight ride for next year when we return.

As I update this blog, Louise is outside scrubbing the deck with the fresh rain water!

With lots of fresh water on board (thanks to the watermaker) and a frig/freezer full of food, we can relax and read and wait for the weather front to pass over the next 4-5 days.

more to follow!

glen
ps. the photo is of the Hope Town Public School (grades 1-6)