11/28/2009, Black Point

November 24th, 2009 Pipe Creek to Black Point, Exuma's
Our departure time was scheduled for 10 a.m. this morning, which would be approximately half way to high tide but as that time neared we didn't seem to have enough water under our keel to make our escape ... so we waited another 30 minutes.
On the way out, I steered too much to the starboard and got into some skinny water. We altered course and cleaned the bottom of our keel, but didn't ever really go aground. It was windy and the current was a factor, but in truth I didn't trust the electronics... the path out between shoals is a little deceiving.
There were squalls in the distance which enhanced the wind a little, but once in deeper water we motored around the point and into Sampson Cay for some expensive fuel. ($408) Luckily, we don't have to purchase fuel too often, but it would seem that someone forgot to tell these people that fuel prices have gone down during the last few months.
With a full tank we left Sampson and hoisted a sail to aim for Black Point. The engine was idling most of the time to charge our batteries, but with 15 knots just ahead of the beam we really didn't need it.
There was one boat in Black Point when we arrived, but they soon left us to spend the remainder of the afternoon reading in peace.
Once again we had some leftover turkey for dinner.... and some video before bed.

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11/25/2009, Pipe Creek, Exumas

November 23rd, 2009 Norman's Cay to Pipe Creek, Exuma's
We were off at 7 a.m., to arrive at Pipe Creek around high tide. It was another nice day...more clouds than usual but there is a low pressure trough working its way south ahead of cold front that should arrive around Friday.
We arrived at one of the entrances to Pipe Creek around noon and worked our way into the anchorage. There was lots of water but our charts weren't as accurate as I'd like. Eventually we got the anchor down and buried in the sand. We were in an area were the tide rushes in and out on its way to and from the banks to our west which makes things interesting. With our full keel "Sapphire" likes to "sail" forward in a good current so that most of the time our anchor is behind us...
After lowering the dinghy we took off exploring the area but found nothing that looked like good snorkeling. I think we have to go to the banks side of the area to hunt with much success.
Later we took some wine over to the flats and watched the tide go out. (Simple pleasures...)
In the evening we got together on "Fine Lion" for our first cracked conch meal of the season. Steve added his only lobster to left-over rice as well. I made my not yet patented, but famous cracked conch dip and we brought along a jar of dilled green beans for snacks.
We had planned on staying here a couple of days but decided over dinner that we'd leave tomorrow at about half tide. Kim needs to make sure that she actually has a ticket for a flight out of Staniel Cay on Saturday. Steve set it up on the phone with the person in charge of the airport there.... but those of you who have had the pleasure of flying in and out of Staniel Cay can understand her trepidation.
"Sapphire" hasn't had any fuel since Lake Worth so we will top off our tank at Sampson Cay and then head south to Black Point to get some laundry done. We're not entirely sure that the laundromat will be open on Friday. Ida spends a lot of time singing in the choir and who knows home many services there will be on Thanksgiving weekend.

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24 32.02'N:76 47.95'W
11/25/2009, Norman's Cay, Exumas

November 22nd, 2009 Norman's Cay
We spent the day here cooking and cleaning. Kathy went through the cabin scrubbing the walls and floors ... we are using Bruce hardwood floor cleaner this year and so far we like it. I worked on patching the dinghy where it has rubbed on our davits in two different spots. It wasn't leaking but reinforcement was called for.
I also worked on checking out our old Water Witch. I found a wiring diagram in our notebook left by Doug, the previous owner, and it made things much easier. It tested out fine and when we have the opportunity I will go below to change out the one that isn't working. It's a big job because all of our storage areas have to be emptied.
We had a turkey breast in the bottom of our freezer that has slowly thawed and needed to be eaten, so we invited Steve and Kim over for a Sunday afternoon dinner.
I baked an acorn squash with maple syrup and butter... and got it out of the oven before the turkey went in. I baked some potatoes and decided to make them twice baked.... Spooning out the potato and adding some cream cheese, sour cream and bacon before sending them back to the oven.
I cleaned some Brussels sprouts and cut them in half. Then I melted some butter with an equal amount of olive oil and added some garlic. After heating up the oil and toasting the garlic, I removed the garlic and added the Brussels sprouts, cut side down. After sautéing them until they were browned, I added grated Parmesan on the top
It ended up being a fine meal.
Afterward we headed for shore to clean the conch that Kim had found during the afternoon... when finished, we sat in the water watching the sunset...

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