We tore ourselves away from Warderick Wells on Sunday and (mostly) sailed down to Staniel Cay. Our plan to sail as much as possible is working out well so far. We ran the engine for half an hour to charge up the batteries and sailed the rest of the way until we made the turn into Staniel Cay and turned on the engine again.

By the way, we have been very happy with the job our KISS wind generator has been doing. We were stopped at the park for 5 days and didn't turn on the engine or Honda generator once! Mind you, the wind did blow there!!

As we got close to Staniel, a familiar voice came over the VHF radio - Rob from Celebrian! (another Bayfield 36) He and Christine are tucked away next to Fowl Cay to wait out Monday's storm and we were sorely tempted to join them. We contacted Windswept IV, a boat Richard (Kilissa) had told us to look out for, and look forward to meeting them in person, and then we had fun acting as relay in a reunion conversation between Solution and Windswept IV.

Once anchored in front of the Yacht Club here, we hustled ourselves ashore to have a beer at the club and see the familiar sights remembered from our stay here 2 years ago. At that time, both our neighbours from Ottawa and our children joined us for visits. First stop was Brenda's - the yellow house on the street leading to the Blue Store - to order bread for the next day. Brenda's coconut bread rivals any around. We walked by Bernadette's pretty cottages that were home to our visitors last time, and checked to see if there were any fisherman at the dock. (No luck) We picked up onions and carrots and a pack of sliced ham and the one remaining yogurt container at the Blue Store - and were reminded why we try to bring staples with us. Things cost more here!

Then it was back to the Yacht Club where we perched at the bar and ate delicious fish sandwiches while we talked with Doug on Water Torture. With garbage disposed of (for a fee) and water cans filled (for a fee) and the resident nurse sharks observed, we dinghied back to the boat for a peaceful night.

Next morning was not so peaceful and we knew a front would be coming through later in the day, so we up anchored, intending to go around between the Majors, but we spotted a couple of empty mooring balls by Thunderball Club. Corning (Blessed Spirit) called to say he didn't think one of them was in very good shape (confirmed after we picked it up and examined it). We dinghied by the other one to check water depth and it seemed OK for a boat of our length (much longer and we'd be aground when we swung around to the south) so we moved over and picked up a nice new line.

Ashore again, we picked up the aromatic bread and managed to resist tearing into it right then, answered e-mails at the club (a wifi card is $10 for 24 hours), got a few more groceries at Isles General - and learned that the mail boat is coming on Wednesday, and if we want our pick of groceries we should be there by 11. As the wind picked up, we made our way back to Madcap without getting too wet. The evening saw us aboard Blessed Spirit for sundowners with Corning and Tita and their Canadian guests, Jack and Janet - and hope we didn't overstay our welcome. We enjoyed their hospitality and the conversation never lagged, but Jack was beginning to tip forward from fatigue! Mary and Blair (Strathspey) - if your ears were burning, it was because we were all saying such nice things about you and missing your company.

The wind blew hard again overnight and rain washed us nice and clean and we were pleased to be tucked in here with nice neighbours, a bit of shelter and and a secure tether!

Tuesday brings our own company, Charles and Linda from Ottawa, for a week or so of fun in the sun .... ah.... and blowing in the wind ...