Mike
02/09/2009

Thompson's Bay, Long Island

I made blueberry muffins for breakfast, (out of a packet) which we downed in minutes. Tom on "Brilliant" called to say that they had rented a car for the day and if we needed anything could drive us. We made plans to meet them on shore around noon. Meanwhile on the VHF I heard Sharon on "About Time" call in to Trifina at Club Thompson Bay to see if she could make dinner for a group. Trifina is known for putting together authentic Bahamian meals but her knees are bad she is not always available to cook. Today however she was fine and after talking to Sharon put out a call to everyone in the Bay. Barry happened by at the time and thought we should sign up so I call in a reservation for 8 without talking to half of the group who was out and about.

Our morning was spent reading and minor boat chores. Tom called a little before noon and we went in to the beach to meet them. Meanwhile Steve called to see if there was room for him to make the trip as well. Any it ended up being Tom, Susan, Susan, Steve, Kathy and I heading south for the bank and to run some other errands.

The most eventful stop was at a Max's Conch Stand which was a thatched hut along the road with about 12 bar stools. There were 4 or 5 folks sitting around but there were enough stools left for our group. Max was a treat.and we had a beer while talking to him. I really wanted to try the special.pan fried Hog fish, but ended up ordering a conch salad with most everyone else. There was a container of conch salad already prepared but there wasn't enough to make five salads so Max got busy chopping. In a few minutes he served up one of the best conch salads we've had. Tom ordered conch fritters which were also exceptional.

We returned to Island Breeze to drop off Steve and Susan and then headed to the grocery for a few items. Then we dropped off Tom and Susan at their dinghy and drove their Rental Car to the beach where we had left our dinghy. (Sam.it is the same beach where you and Erin hid from the rain under the table)

Back at the boat we read for an hour and changed for dinner before braving the waves on the way back to the beach. There ended up being 41 people for dinner at Trifina's, most of whom we had met at some point along the way. The meal consisted of curried chicken, ribs, cracked conch, jerked pork, Bahamian Mac and cheese, peas and rice, potatoes salad, and Cole slaw. Most everyone ate enough to last a couple of days.

The tide had come in and we had to wade to retrieve our dinghies before heading back to our boats.

We read for a while and then watched an episode of "Cold Case" before going to bed.

Thompson's Bay, Long Island Feb. 8th

After spending the day on the boat yesterday, it was time for me to get away. I dinghied over to "Fine Lion" for a visit, and then motored over to "Night Hawk." There was a solid consensus that we need to go for a walk this afternoon.

After spending most of the morning reading, we headed to shore abut 2pm and hiked about a mile out the point to Parrots where we had a beer before walking back.

With constant winds between 20 and 25 knots we have been very happy with the output of the Windbugger. At 20 knots it's putting out a steady 5 amps and at 25 knots, 10 amps. We've seen as high as 16 amps in gusts. Along with our solar panels, we are creating more power than we can use.

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mike
02/07/2009

Thompson's Bay, Long Island

For the first time in a year or so I woke up after daylight. Maybe we should stay out later more often. We had French toast for breakfast and then did very little all day. The wind was blowing about 25 knots steady and any trip in the dinghy meant a drenching.we passed.

We read books and did some minor chores on the boat. I made a big pot Chili for a late lunch. The Spartans were on at 4:00 and they played well at home for the second game in a row. Maybe there's hope. Of course it was Indiana who seem to be a few years away in the skill department.

After dinner we read some more and then watched an episode of "Cold Case."

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Mike and Kathy
02/06/2009

Thompson's Bay, Long Island

After breakfast Kathy spent most of the morning cleaning while I transferred water to our main tank. "Fine Lion" could see what I was doing and called over to have me get free water from them as opposed to pay for and then hauling water from the fuel dock. Watermakers are wonderful.

After dealing water, I headed to town for 5 gallons of diesel that will top off our tank. I picked up a couple of items at the grocery before heading back to the boat.

Around noon we packed up our snorkel equipment and went to shore with Steve, Kim, Susan and Barry. We hiked up the road to pole number 108 where we found a trail leading off through the scrub to the ocean.

Once there the ladies waked the beach while Steve and Barry looked for lobsters. The water looked a little surgy, and I had strained some muscles during the morning so I stayed ashore and watched for sharks. After an hour or so the swimmers returned without seeing anything to shoot.

We hiked back across the Island and returned to our boats around 2:30.

There are around 70 cruising boats here at this time which is a record for Thompson's Bay. With lots of room, protection from NW to SW, and good holding, it's a popular anchorage. There were about 30 boats here before the Georgetown racers arrived with about 40 more. It gives the business here a much needed shot in the arm.

We had "Fine Lion", "Night Hawk", and "Brilliant" over for snacks at 5:00 and then headed to shore about 7:00 to catch a ride to the Island Breeze. Because of all the boats there is a constant shuttle from Thompson's Bay to Salt Pond which is a distance of about 3 miles. For 5 dollars round trip, James will pick us up at the beach and haul us to the Island Breeze. There was a dance this evening featuring a local band which turned out to be great. We left about 11 when the locals were just beginning to arrive-they seem to be able to stay up later than we can.

The weather shows no sign of change. We're under the influence of a high pressure system which is keeping things cool and windy. The temperature actually dropped below 70 last night which is rare. We will probably stay here a few more days before heading back over to George Town.

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