Mike
03/09/2008, Thompson's Bay, Long Island

March 5th

After breakfast, we were underway to Thompson's Bay which was only abut 10 miles south. There were only two boats in the anchorage that we selected although there was room for 50. A little later the four of us took off in the dinghy to try to find the town. About a mile away there was a government dock where we beach the boat and took off on a cross island hike to the ocean. It was only about a mile but without the breeze that we were accustomed was very hot. The beach on the Atlantic side was empty and very nice but as usual, cluttered with junk. No one lives on this side to occasionally clean up the junk.

On our way back we stopped at a grocery a picked up a few things ... but without a list forgot a number of items that were needed. Back at the boat the girls sunned (which it seems is their main reason for being here) and read for awhile before head back out in the other direction to explore. We found Trefina's place, The Thompson Bay Club, and stopped for a beer. The place had a dining room, a small bar area and an enclosed, open-air dance hall. Trefina cooks authentic Bahamian food if you call in on VHF for reservations. We thought about staying but passed.

We have been out of beer for awhile and were trying to find a liquor store replenish our stores, but it wasn't going to happen here... at least not without renting a car. Back on the boat we picked up, read for a while and left for our third dinghy ride for the day. We had been told that somewhere in our bay there was a Tiki Bar that served food so we were off to find it. Cruising the shore line at dusk we found the place about a mile away ..."Parrots of the Caribbean"

The place was small but very nice... there was no indoor dining, just three tables on the deck and a bar with six stools. On the beach level there were two more tables that seemed an afterthought. While waiting for our meal we struck up a conversation with a guy at the bar who was a doctor from Pennsylvania who ended up being the owner. Besides the little restaurant there were a few cabins that he rented as well.

We had an enjoyable evening and found our way back to Sapphire without getting lost. The anchorage had filled up during the day and it is sometimes a challenge to pick our mast light from the 20 others in the bay.

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Mike
03/09/2008, Alligator Bay, Long Island

March 4th ...Georgetown to Long Island

Happy Birthday Kim!

We hemmed and hawed for awhile this morning trying to decide whether to go to Long Island today or tomorrow. Finally we took off with the idea that if things were too rocky, we would return. As it turned out the seas were fine and we sailed and motor-sailed most of the day anchoring in Alligator Bay, Long Island. We had a moment of excitement when Kathy went below to find our sole awash in saltwater. A hose clamp on the sink drain had come slipped away from the sink and with the thru-hull open it was sloshing sea water into the boat with every wave. After closing the thru-hull, it was about a 5 minute fix.

During the last hour of our trip we ran through some squalls that held lots of rain but little wind. After the squalls the sun would pop out and we had rainbows. We anchored, had some supper and went to bed. It was a long day on the water.

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Mike
03/09/2008, George Town

March 2nd

Windy with rain... stayed aboard .


March 3rd

In the morning I went over to "Tilt" with the idea of getting some instruction on downloading weather faxes. Instead, I helped Craig work on an outboard that wasn't working. After cleaning the carb and plugs, which looked to both be in fine shape, we put it back on the dinghy and tried to start her up. In the process it became apparent that there was an air leak in the fuel line. We put together a temporary fix until he can find some new hose ends.

I went back to Sapphire for some lunch and took the girls into the beach before heading back to tilt for my Fax lessons. After an hour or so I picked up Kathy and went ashore to check up on Erin and Sam. They were cooling their heels in the Chat and Chill.

Later, it was another ride to town for the "Rake and Scrape" at Eddies Edgewater. There were about six or seven musicians, one played melody on a guitar and the others played drums, saws, and maracas. We all danced and had a good time. Of course, we got wet on the way back to the boat, but decided it had been worth it.

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