After a great week on Cat Island with the Cookie Monster Gang we decided Monday would be a good day to head back to the Exumas. We spent our last day with the group enjoying the beach and playing Bocce ball until sunset. While one of Dagny's crew revelled in the thrill of victory the other had to soften the agony of her team’s defeat with a G&T. Once all the goodbyes were said we retired to Dagny for a quiet night. Monday morning dawned bright and early and we were off the hook by 6:30 for the 50 mile crossing to Galliott Cut. We needed to be at the cut by 3:30 at the latest before the tide started to ebb. Initially we set full main and genny and motor sailed the first two hours in order to keep our speed over 6 knots. Luckily the winds came up as forecast and after 2 hours we shutdown the engine and cruised along at over 7 knots all day in 2 - 3 foot seas. Although the conditions were ideal these narrow cuts can never be taken lightly. We arrived off Galliott in a 17 knot following breeze and roared through the cut with a 2.5 knot tidal push and 4 foot rollers. It was such a beautiful day so we decided to take full advantage of the conditions and sailed another 15 miles before anchoring.

Although the water and beaches are beautiful throughout the Bahamas, the Exumas have the clearest water and whitest beaches. We were glad to be back and dropped the anchor in Little Bay, one of our favorite spots. By days end we had covered almost 70 miles and looked forward to a good nights sleep.

Lorraine's Cafe in Blackpoint has been a fixture in the area for years
and is where we always spend Christmas as she provides a home away from home for cruisers. She has built a new cafe with a beautiful deck over the water and Tuesday night was the official opening. Word had gone that we were all invited to attend the festivities and by Tuesday afternoon there were more than 65 boats in the anchorage. The announcement had said, free munchies and discount drinks would be served; however, Lorraine blew everyone away with the spread she put on. A full buffet meal was served to over 200 people, free beer and rum punch were served all night and a 5 piece band rocked the place all evening. We spent the evening with the crews of Sandbox, Elizabeth M and Nomaste getting an early start on my and Lana's birthday celebrations.

Needless to say the anchorage was pretty quiet on Wednesday morning as I headed ashore to fill a couple of water jugs. We wanted to pick up a few things at the store as well prior to moving on but even they were late opening after having partied into the night. Like all countries that depend heavily on tourism the Bahamas took a beating during Covid. Little Farmers Cay has always hosted a very popular regatta festival that unfortunately has been cancelled the last couple of years. However, this year it's on and that's our next stop, a mere 11 miles away. Reports are that cruisers are already staking claim to the good spots so it's time to head there and try and get a front row seat for the racing. Apparently there are 24 C class skiffs racing over 2 days and the forecast looks great.

Today's picture is of an official measurement on the Bocce Ball Court.