11/28/2009, Black Point

November 25th, 2009 Black Point, Exumas
After coffee and some breakfast, Kathy got our laundry together and tried to call Ida on the Vhf with no response. We continued to call during the morning on and off and finally saw her sweeping her steps. We loaded everything up to go into the dock just about the time "Fine Lion" arrived and anchored just off our stern.
I helped Kathy unload and then returned to the boat to try to figure how to run some heavier wire to our water pump. After taking apart the inside of the cupboard that houses our 12 volt panel I really couldn't see an easy way to do what I wanted so I quit, I'll spend some more time thinking about the problem.
I went back in to the laundromat and stayed until we were finished. Steve and Kim came in around noon and started their wash and then the four of us walked over to Lorraine's to see her new baby and use the internet.
We ended up spending most of the afternoon and had a late lunch before heading back to the boat to read.

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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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