January 15, 2009 Georgetown, Great Ex It was calm when we got up for the weather forecast at 6:30. So after coffee and something to eat we took advantage of the lack of waves and headed to town to check things out. Our first stop was the city dock where there should have been a dumpster. There were three ships there unloading and things were chaotic with high-lows running around and folks in cars and trucks waiting for their stuff. The dumpster was not where it was last year so we continued under the bridge to the dinghy dock.

Our first stop was the pet store where we threw away 15 on a weeks worth of wi-fi that we can't use. Last year we could pick up the signal but this year we are having difficulty. Then we went to a tiny little hardware store where I picked up a couple of fishing lures, a new point for my spear and a new rubber band .also for my spear. Then we were off to the grocery to pick up some vegetables and a few other items.

I had brought along some water containers, but with the garbage still in the dinghy as well as our groceries, there wasn't room. On our way back to the boat we did find the dumpster and deposited our trash. It was on one of the docks but on our first trip, had been hidden by a truck.

After some lunch my plan was to head back to town for fuel. We were 10 gallons low on diesel so I emptied two of our jerry cans into the tank.topping it off. Then I filled our two 2.5 gal. gas containers with gasoline from one of our jerry cans. When we head down to the Jumentos we will need all the gasoline we can carry for both the Honda and the outboard. By filling the smaller tanks we will be able to carry 15 gallons.

I spent an hour looking at charts and while Kathy did the dished and defrosted the freezer. At 2:30 we went in to the beach at the Chat and Chill and sat in the shade most of the afternoon watching volley ball. We had a conch salad and hung out with friends..

We grilled some steaks for dinner and listened to the Northwestern - Purdue game.

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January 14th. Rat Cay to Georgetown Great Exuma

The winds were calm this morning which is rare. After the weather forecast, I took the dinghy over to the other boats and we decided to try the outside rocks for lobster. Usually there is too much surge to swim there. If we had good hunting we would stay another day but if not we'd pack up and head to Georgetown in the afternoon.

The snorkeling was excellent and Barry got a nice lobster right away, but after an hour and a half in the water we couldn't find any more so returned to the boats. As we were preparing to weigh anchor, a couple of locals stopped by in their skiff to sell lobster. They had a couple of huge ones for $15 and some others a little smaller. At first I declined, but ask about the smaller ones and found the price too good to pass up. I ended up buying about 5 pounds for $20.

We left the anchorage at about noon and fished (unsuccessfully) our way down to Georgetown. It was about a 20 mile trip and we had our anchor down by 4pm at Sand dollar beach. "Night Hawk" and "Fine Lion" were heading to the Chat and Chill for a beer so we took the dinghies to shore to see if there were any changes in a year. We left the others and headed back to the boat to listen the basketball game at about 5:30. They threatened to join us later..and did. Although it was hard to listen to the game with six people in the cockpit who wouldn't shut up, we had a gook time. I made a couple of batches of popcorn and everyone seemed to enjoy the game.

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January 12th, Rat Cay, Exumas

After coffee and the weather I went over to speak with Barry and Steve to compare notes on the weather and come up with a plan for the next few days. On Thursday night the wind is going to pick up and blow 25 to 30 knots for three days. It would be good to be behind Stocking Island in Georgetown before Thursday evening.

Today was calm enough to try lobstering in the sound on the outside of the cut. The area was semi-protected but the swell still made swimming difficult. Barry got a couple of lobsters He shot one that got away but then crawled out in the open in front of me just begging to be supper. and was.

We tried some other spots but didn't have any luck. Barry did shoot a fish but for the most part we came up empty. We did swim one edge where the current was strong enough that I couldn't make any progress swimming as hard as I could into it.Barry and Susan had to come over in their dinghy to drag me back to where Kathy was anchored.

When we returned to our boats, I could see "Perseverance II" sailing south in the Sound. They pulled in and anchored with us about an hour later. Susan and I decided that we should put together a potluck on the beach with cracked lobster. Steve and Kim brought Mahi fingers. Susan made Bahamian Mac and Cheese and Margate fingers (the fish Barry speared today.) I made cracked lobster and cut up our leftover Trigger fish into fingers. Cathy brought a nice toss salad. It was a feast

We returned stuffed to the gills and watch some video before bed.

January 11, 2009 Rat Cay, Exumas

After coffee and a big breakfast we took off with Barry and Susan to try to find some lobsters. Steve and Kim headed in the other direction.

Lobsters proved to be scarce so we did some dinghy sightseeing and stopped by a neat series of blow-holes. When a wave from the Sound hits, the outside of the island the force is transferred underground and shoots water about 20 feet into the air on the other side. It was a relatively calm day on the Sound so on a rough day they must be really impressive.

Eventually Steve and Barry each got a lobster or two . but we went without.

By the time we returned it was time to read and think about supper. I filleted the trigger fish that we bought in Black Point but ended up cooking about half. It was just too big.

We read until dark, watched the moonrise over the sound and watched an episode of "Bones" before bed.

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