Over the past couple of weeks there have been several quick moving cold fronts rolling through the region. Although cold front is a relative term here compared to what people at home have dealt with this winter, they do force us to seek secure anchorages more frequently. This past week has been a classic example of how we plan our travels around the weather. We arrived in the Spanish Wells area riding a strong southerly wind flow so, we anchored on the north side of current cut and enjoyed two peaceful days at anchor with friends while waiting for the cold front to arrive. As forecasted, the wind started clocking around and we moved into the Lee of Russel Island with 40 other boats to ride out 3 days of strong north winds with gusts to 35 kts. Fortunately, we were so close to shore we could launch the dinghy in protected waters and spend time with friends in Spanish Wells. As the winds finally started to lay down and shift to a favourable south east direction the fleet started to position itself for the 50 mile crossing of the North West Channel to the Abacos.

We had almost left a couple of days earlier with another boat; however,after carefully checking the sea state decided at the last minute not to go even though the winds were favourable. It turns out our hunch was correct, when we contacted our friends following their crossing they said the 6 foot waves with only a 6 second interval made for a horrible ride. Finally, after 4 days we departed in good conditions and were part of a 22 boat flotilla heading north. The only downside once again was no fish were harmed by us. However, a boat that was only 5 boat lengths beside us caught a marlin that took them 1.5 hours to land only to release it because they are out of season.

We'll have another week in the area before Larry joins us for the trip north. We hope to get a couple more days of kayaking and snorkelling in before he arrives however, Mother Nature is being a little temperamental. While anchored off Lynyard Cay a couple of nights ago we witnessed one of the best lightening storms we've ever seen. The waters were eerily calm as lightening bolts danced all around turning darkness into daylight, luckily we were spared any close calls. The last 2 nights we've been tucked in a small bay riding out another 20-35 kt blow from the east. Once the winds ease we'll head to Marsh Harbour to prepare Dagny for the trip north. Although we've struck out fishing lately we're hoping to get a couple of conch today since Mrs. Hubbard's cupboard is getting a little bare.

Today’s picture of a water spout was taken about 30 miles north of us the other day, it is one of 5 that have been spotted in the last week.