Yesterday, we had a brisk downwind sail (to 25k apparent) from West Bay, New Providence to Cambridge Cay (mid Exuma chain). We arrived just after sunset. The entrance is very skinny, and especially scary without the light of day to see the bottom.
We decided to pick up a mooring (which was a bit challenging 🫢) as the strong breeze opposed an even stronger current.
Today we sailed to Staniel Cay where there are 2 small grocery stores. We bought a few things then sailed a bit further south to Blackpoint Settlement. The weather next week looks potentially scary. We hate to rush through the Exumas, where there is little protection from west component winds. if we are going to get stuck next week and find good protection, we may head south to George Town now before the wind turns against us. There are so many beautiful anchorages in the Exuma chain, but they will have to wait to be enjoyed when the weather is settled.

This year we tried something different - a compromise. In September, Michael headed south, single-handed, while I spent more time at home. I joined him in Vero Beach after Thanksgiving and we crossed over to the Bahamas together on 12/4. We had a beautiful sail across the Gulf Stream and landed in Chubb Cay in the Berry Islands the next day. We spent one night in a beautiful resort, but we're too busy with clearance, and other such chores, we didn't spend much time there.
So far the weather has been calm, but a cold front is moving through tonight with strong winds from the NW. We will be heading to the Exumas tomorrow.

We made it to the 5Fs at Farmers Cay, in the Exumas, finally! It's a 2 day regatta of traditional Bahamian sloops from the various Family Islands. The race begins at anchor and the crew quickly raise the anchor and sails to begin the race. Cruisers follow in their dinghies or watch the from the beach. We don't usually like crowds, but the weather cooperated, and it was a lot of fun and a sight to behold!
The festivities began on Thursday with a cruiser race organized by the local Yacht Club, and followed by a feast. I'm not very competitive, and not a racer, but with the help of crew from Ursa Minor, we came in second! Won a bottle of rum!

George Town is a great place to provision- especially if your planning to head south to the Ragged’s. The Chat’n Chill experience is fun for while, but it can get old. There are many other beautiful places to explore outside of GT proper. We found a nice “hidey-hole” when a cold front passed, and great walking along pristine sandbars near Man-O-War Cay near Rolle Town. We also met up with some of our favorite cruisers from past years and enjoyed our time together.
A very sad event happened shortly after we arrived. Another cruiser had gone fishing alone in a dinghy between the islands and never retuned. That swell that looks so magnificent, can be deadly. We did not know him. It reinforces how fragile we are. The community effort to recover him was impressive.

We had never been to shore on Lee Stocking Island before. It's also private. There had been a Marine Research Center, abruptly abandon in 2012. The island has been sold and development is underway for residential, resort, and research center. We asked permission before we went ashore, and the workers were very friendly. Their dog, Chase, was a great tour guide (at least a 2 hour walk). He showed us the path back from the Atlantic side. He stayed with us until back to the dinghy. As we got to the boat, preparing to get him food and water, he took off to join the workers. 5 minutes later, we see him perched on the bow of the workboat racing to get home to Great Exuma!

We took our time traveling through the southern Exumas this time. There are numerous small cays that are mostly private, many uninhabited, and a few very exclusive resorts ($60k/ night for up to 12 people!). In 2011, David Copperfield had a sculpture - a mermaid at a piano, placed in 15' of water off his adjacent private island for the enjoyment of divers. Privacy is important to their guests. Apparently, We didn't bother them and they didn't bother us. There is plenty of room and very few people.
The bank (leeward side) is mostly shallow white sand bars with carved deep blue "rivers", that have strong reversing currents. Anchoring can be a challenge. Tide is influenced by the wind and timing is important to make it past the shallows. On the east (windward) side, it's another world. Even on the calmest days, the ocean swell (with depths of thousands of feet) abruptly meets shore. It's amazing to watch.
On a very calm day, we attempted to dinghy near a very narrow opening between the cays, aptly named, "Pucker Cut". The waves generated by the ocean swell were sufficient to quell our curiosity and head right back to the boat!