Wednesday, January 2nd - Everything looks good to go today. We met in the morning and decided on noon. At 12:30 we left the fuel dock and followed Whish and Truant out to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream. During the day the waves were a bit higher than we would have liked, but we sailed and once in the stream, we were making 8 to almost 10 knots. At sunset, the wind and waves lightened a bit and we had a wonderful crossing, still carrying 8 to 10 knots with plenty of stars and about 10 pm the moon rose - not full but very big and bright. We had a constant stream of freighters, tankers and cruise ships to watch out for. There were consistently 8 or more ships showing on our AIS. We were very happy to have the AIS!

We expected to arrive at Cat Cay Cut about 10 am but we were a bit faster so at about 8:30 we entered the Great Bahama Bank after about 115 miles and 20 hours. But the trip is still not over yet! There is about 75 miles on the Bank in 10 to 15 feet of clear turquoise water before you reach a check-in port. We anchored in the middle of the bank, between the course lines with plenty of lights on! It was a very still night and everyone slept well. It feels very strange to be anchored out with no land in sight in just 10 feet of water! At about 5:45 a fishing boat passed us very close, but we were all awake and watching. We headed out at 6 a.m. in the dark for another 45 miles to Morgan's Bluff on Andros Island. It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed the warmth and sunshine.

It is now January 4th - We anchored in the bay and Ron, Jeff and Mark headed in by dinghy to clear Customs and Immigration. There was no problem clearing, even with Farley. They didn't even look at his papers and gave us a cruising permit for 120 days! Speaking of Farley, he has been such a trooper! We tried to have him 'pee' on the bow of the boat, on the swim platform and in the cockpit and had a newspaper that he had pee'd on previously, but until finally on the second day after 36 hours he walked up to the bow and let loose! That is where the washdown pump is, so it was perfect! After checking in and a swim, we all had dinner and Pina Coladas aboard Truant.

January 6th - and we are still at Morgan's Bluff. It is about 38 miles to Nassau and so far we have had heavy winds and waves on the nose. We headed out but turned back. We keep reminding ourselves that this is a pleasure trip, we don't have to go until the weather is perfect. We are hoping it will improve tomorrow but we are at least safe and sound in the harbour and enjoying the beautiful weather. We snorkeled a bit but there isn't much to see. Jeff did spear himself a lobster. Morgan's Bluff is named for the pirate, Captain Morgan who it is said has stashed treasure in the caves along the cliffs of Andros Island. The village consists of some fishing boats, several derelict boats, and a bar and gas station. There is a restaurant at the bar - they serve Conch Salad - and that's it! We had happy hour, which turned into dinner aboard our boat. Mark and Joanne made Conch Fritters with the Conch that Mark got today.