The morning of the Space X launch dawned cloudy and overcast causing us to wonder if we would get to see the rocket as it passed overhead. However, as the day wore on the skies gradually cleared and a check of the website showed all systems were go. This would also be our last evening with White Bird since they were leaving early in the morning for points north. Following a great kayak trip we set about making preparations for our viewing party as the sky continually cleared. We had high hopes of seeing the booster as it was programmed to land on a barge a few miles offshore from us. However, for some reason, the recovery barge was moved further north out of our field of vision. We rendezvoused on the beach at 5:15 for the 6:15 launch and set off to organize our viewing station on a ridge overlooking Exumas Sound.

The crew of Nightingale joined us as well for what turned out to be a spectacular evening. While setting up our evening feast we were treated to a beautiful sunset and had time to toast our friendship before the big event. It would only take 8 minutes for the rocket to be overhead so we kept a close eye on the sky while enjoying our treats. Suddenly there it was, we had a great view as it streaked southeast bound, virtually overhead as it paralleled the coastline. Bev was the first to spot the booster separating and a couple of minutes later we could see the guidance rockets fire as it descended towards the recovery barge. In all we saw the rocket for at least five minutes as it roared across the evening sky. As darkness fell the warm breeze continued to keep the bugs at bay allowing us to savour the moment until well after 7:30.

With our friends heading north it was time to get our act together and make plans to move on but not before finding some groceries. The mailboat was due in Staniel Cay in a couple of days, the plan was to get fuel, fresh produce and as soon as possible move south east towards Long Island. Conception Island lies 20 mile north east of Long Island and is home to the Long Tailed Tropic birds; and, we have long wanted to visit this remote uninhabited island reserve. The idea is to station ourselves nearby until we can get favourable conditions to visit Conception Island.

As great as the weather has been with the persistent strong easterly trade winds we would need a change in wind direction to sail to Conception; and boy did we get a change! For 3 days the forecasters warned us of a strong weather system approaching with heavy squalls and wind gust to 45 kts possible. After pouring over the charts and carefully monitoring the forecast we decided to head to Black Cay for the weather event. We had been here earlier this winter and knew that it would be rolly the first day there but once the wind shifted around the thought was it would be fine. Whenever we choose a new place to hide from weather there's often that lingering doubt, did we make the right choice or not. We certainly don't want to be in a crowded anchorage in bad weather but it is comforting to see that other people have reached the same conclusion as us. So, as the wind started to shift as forecasted, we moved over to 100 yards off the beach at Exumas Point to stake out our spot. We ran out 100 feet of anchor chain and settled in to wait. By days end there were 12 boats very well spaced along the beach with anchors well set. The squalls are here, heavy rain at times but Dagny does need a good fresh water rinse, in the meantime the peak gust so far has been 36 knots. Normally the bad weather blows through at night but this system is treating us well, it first hit around 7 this morning and will be through by mid afternoon. Besides keeping an eye on the radar we are being entertained by our Norwegian neighbours who are out kite surfing in the squalls, I guess they never heard about Ben Franklin flying kites in thunderstorms.

Todays picture is self explanatory.