The anchorage at Monument Hill at Georgetown, Bahamas
On Sunday--21 February - at 6:30 am--we left Big Majors Spot. It was a beautiful day to sail. No problems were had by any of the three sailboats. We arrived at Georgetown at 5:00 pm. We had a little bit of an anchoring dance problem--mainly because everyone was concerned because of the big blow that was due in on Monday some time. We finally got anchored and had dinner and went to sleep--we were tired.
The next morning it was overcast--so the guys went in one dinghy to Georgetown--to drop off the garbage and scope out the town. Then they came back and took the ladies to Chat and Chills located at Volleyball Beach for lunch. We got back just in time - the blow started to pick up and the squalls were starting. The rest of the days will be spent inside reading. The VHF radio has been chattering all morning due to the high wind--once they were clocked at 50 knots. Because of the windy weather--the Georgetown Exuma Cruising Regatta has made a lot of changes to there schedule of events. If you go to: http://www.georgetowncruising.com/schedule.htm --you will see why we nicknamed this event as the Senior Citizens Day Camp. But it is fun to do!!!
Tom, Doug and Jon are studying like crazy to pass their HAM radio tests. I have been without a husband all morning and now part of the afternoon--because he is helping the other guys study. They take the test tomorrow. Then I might get my husband back. There were three test. Tom had studied for the first two but not the third. He took all three test--past the first two with flying colors but missed passing the third by three questions. So back to studying for Tom--he past the final test.
Marcia on Non-Linear taught me how to make palm straw baskets. I have been out harvesting the palm prawns--so I have my supply. Then I spent an afternoon with her and got started. I am making a drink huggie for Tom. Who knows -- some of you might get a basket-- or if you want-- I love to collect sea shells.
Well we are part of the day camp this year. The men are in the Coconut Race challenge. The Coconut Challenge sure was a lot of work--however--our team did great. The activities for the day for the Coconut Challenge was three different competition. There were eight teams -- each had four members. They could only have a dinghy--a life jacket--swim flippers and a pail. After the coconuts were released in the water--the teams were allowed to paddle their way out to collect as many coconuts as they can--also there were 4 coconuts that were painted that were extra points. It was hilarious watching from the shore. Our team had 87 coconuts plus three of the painted coconuts.
Then they had to do another challenge--three of the team persons were
standing a close to each other and their arms on their team member's
waist--then the fourth member added 10 coconuts in the area where
their chests were. Then they had to do 2 complete circles and then
maneuver down the course without fouling the other team. They came in
third in that event.
Then the last event was where they tossed the coconut over the
volleyball net and tried to get them in a circle center.
Well--the Our Freedom team came in 2nd overall. We won a barge for
our boat. It was fun.
Then as couples, we are in Beach Golf and Bocci Ball. It is fun.
When I finish the day camp activities--I will add more details and photos. We are having fun.
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Swimming Pigs at Big Majors Spot on Pig Beach
On Friday 19th we left Exuma State Park at 7:30 am--heading to Big Majors Spot. It was a beautiful sunny day--not too cool and no problems. After three hours, we arrived and anchored. After we ate, I went with Windfall to the Pig Beach to feed the pigs. They were truly vicious this year. A tourist boat also came by and feed the pigs. They sure had enough food for one day. After we feed the pigs, we went over to Staniel Cay, walked around, shopped at several of their very small grocery stores, and then had drinks at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club. I took pictures of the Nerd Sharks that were waiting for the fishermen to throw away the scrapes when they cleaned the fish.
The next day, Jon and Tom worked on the electric winch that we nicknamed Box of Rocks--it makes a horrible sound. Tom also changed the prop. In the afternoon, we went to the Grotto (that was featured in the James Bond movie Thunderbolt).
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We left for Allan Cay on 8 February. After we anchored, we all went to shore to feed the iguanas. They were real aggressive this year! Tom almost got bite by oneâ€"he wasn't feeding them fast enough for their liking. The next day, we all went snorkeling and had a good time. Then the strong weather fronts started to come through. It was roughâ€"the boat felt like an old tumbling washing machine. The next day, Windfall and Delphenus took a slip at Highborne Marina. They were happy being tied up to the dock.. Non-Linear and Our Freedom rode the second front out. Non-Linear was hit but not any damage.
Finally, on 14 February, we left Allan Cay for Norman Cay. Non-Linear and Our Freedom got there first. We anchoredâ€"went to shore and then walked to McDuffie's for lunch and drinks. By the time we finished, Delphenius and Windfall were at the restaurant. So we had more drinks while they ate. We took a ride around the old bootlegged drug plane that was shot down in the 70's. Not much left. We called the kidsâ€"had Valentine dinner on the boat.
The next morning we left Norman Cay at 8:00â€"going to Exuma State Park at Warderick Wells. We plan to take Delphenius and Windfall to BooBoo Hill to put their boat sign there. See the blow holes in the coral rock, snorkel, just walk and wander the park. It is such a beautiful place.
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Nassau Lighthouse and Atlantis in the background
The guys all listened to the weather channel and then had a quick Captain's meeting. It was decided that if we wanted to leave Bimini--it had to be that day. We took the dinghy to town and got what everyone needed and then got our boat ready to go. At 3:30 in the afternoon we left--the day was perfect--sun shining and warm; however, a huge blow was coming. Everything was going great until 8:30 pm--Delphinus called and stated he had something on his prop. He needed an underwater flashlight. We had one. Non-Linear put his dinghy in the water and came to our boat for the light--the rest of us circled around in that area until the grass was cut off the propeller shaft. We then started back up. I took the 10 to 12 shift--YES--I gave Tom a chance to sleep. It was so pretty out there--almost a full moon and plenty of stars shining. Just after Tom took the helm back over, the raw water pump quit on our boat. While we were fixing it--the other boats circled us. After we fixed the pump, we realized that we had a water hose problem. He fixed that--took about 1 ½ hours. We proceeded on for about another hour --then our boat started to slow down--grass on the prop. We anchored --it was not too deep to anchor. So, Non-Linear came to us and Tom dived under our boat and cleaned the prop. We went about another hour and our boat slowed down again--we thought more grass. We did the process again but found that the prop was clean. When we started back up Windfall stated him though he had grass on his prop. Since, he had problems with his shoulder and most likely could not get back into the dinghy to get back on his boat. Tom told Jon to come get him and he would dive for Doug. His was clean also--it was the swift current in the ocean that was causing the slowness. After we got started again, Tom told me to go below and get some sleep--I did. After I woke up--I found out that the sun was out and very pretty. I got us some breakfast and then took over the helm so Tom could get some more sleep. We arrived in Nassau around 6:00 pm. We were tired. We anchored--and went to sleep. Around 2:00 am, Tom heard a crunch sound. It was Windfall brushing up against a catamaran. Tom knew Doug needed to relocate--so we pulled anchor and went to the anchorage at the other end of the harbor. We anchored again and slept well. The next morning we realized that we almost hit a yellow boogie ball that had a long line of line on it that was attached to dredge pipes. We all stated that was an interesting trip and we all knew that God was watching over us the whole time. The next day, we went to the anchorage on the other side of the cruise ships- - until most of the crowd left. Then we moved back in front of the Atlantis complex anchorage area. We stayed so we could take Doug and Carol around Nassau. We did the city walking tour, did a walking tour of Atlantis and shopped until we dropped. It is Saturday right now and a storm is going through. We had a Super Bowl Potluck dinner on our boat and then the guys went to the Green Parrot to watched the bowl game on tv. We will leave most likely on Monday. Great stay at Nassau!
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The Blackbeard Sailing Club members at Bimini (Kreda & Biil Braun, Marsha & Jon Peterson, Ollie & Tom Foster and Carol & Doug Laurie)
It cost a lot to be in a marina for more than a day or two and it looks like we will be here for about 10 days. So we moved to a protected area near the new resort complex at the north end of North Bimini. Great holding and WiFi!
Well it looks like another week at this paradise before the fronts go through. We have our sea sail up so we won't travel too much in one spot. Tom is over at Sweet Madame Blue boat helping him get ready more for the big blow. We are all fine.
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We are coming out of the Bimini Sands Marina--notice the sea water colors--where it is shallow it is a sea green--where it is deep it is a purple blue
January at 4:00 am. Yes, I said--4:00 am. The weather guy's projection was off the first several hours--long enough for several of the ladies to get very ill. I slept for several hours--when I woke up--Tom slept about 45 minutes. We arrived at Bimini Sands Marina at 1:00 pm. It was about 3:30 pm when the guys were finished with customs. We called the kids to let them know we were safe. Rested the remainder of the day. The weather looks bad so we will find a good hurricane hole to anchor in and wait out the storm. We can get to North Bimini Island- so we can walk around during that time.
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