Finally, after 3 days the strong east winds abated enough to allow us to relocate to Marsh Harbour. After nearly 4 months of anchoring in cyrstal clear water we weren't looking forward to anchoring in the shallow murky waters of Marsh Harbour. However, one must take the good with the bad, the large anchorage is well protected for the conditions we would face and Maxwell's is probably the best grocery in the Bahamas outside of Nassau. We finally caught up with our friends on 2 Outrageous who we hadn't seen since late November. The original plan was to spend a couple of days provisioning and getting Dagny ready for our return to the US. Larry was due to arrive in 3 days giving us ample time to relax and socialize.

As you all know by now our plans frequently change and once again this was the case. Fifteen miles north of Marsh Harbour is Whale Cay Cut that has claimed numerous boats over the years when people have tried to transit in unfavourable conditions. When heading north you exit from the protected waters of the Sea of Abaco and run parallel to, but outside of Whale Cay in seas that roll in from Africa. Once clearing the north end of the cay you turn 90 left and re-enter the Sea of Abaco through a narrow shallow cut. Needless to say extreme caution must be taken in inclement conditions. Our concern was if we waited 3 days in Marsh Harbour for Larry the Whale may become impassable due to approaching strong east winds. Wisely we decided to move north to Green Turtle Cay where Larry would meet us in a couple of days.

After waiting for a few of thunderstorms to blow through we bid farewell to 2 Outrageous and set off for the Whale, all the time keeping an eye on the western sky. I regaled Bev with stories of Steve and I when we came through in my Tanzer 22 all those years ago. The Whale had been impassable that day so we decided to take the inside passage across the sand bar that was marked with sticks. Even though the locals had ensured us we could get through with our shallow draft we still needed to get out and push old Sunkissed over a few spots. Just as Bev and I figured everything was good another thunderstorm rolled across the horizon and of course it hit when we were outside the cay in exposed waters. The wind gusts quickly rose to 27 knots in driving rain which reduced the visibility to a mere 100 yards; but, hardly any waves because they were driven flat by the wind. We wisely elected to circle outside of the cut for 15 minutes or so until things returned to normal. We cruised through the cut in a gentle 10 knot breeze.

Although our ride was a little exhilarating we were content with our decision to move and looked forward to spending a couple of days in historic Green Turtle Cay while we waited for Larry.

Today's picture is of yours truly outside Miss Emily's Famous Blue B Bar. Oh how the times have changed, when Steve and I where here she had one of only the two phones on the island.