Happy New Year (a bit late)
15 January 2011 | Lynyard Cay, Abacos, Bahamas.
Sunny, Air Temp 72F, Water temp 66F, Wind ENE@10-15
Well, we finally got back on Thursday after a great trip home, first to PEI for Christmas, then to BC for Christmas (again) and a week of skiing in Whistler with all the family, including grand-children! It was exciting to see 3 year old Ben take to the slopes for the first time, and see the broad grin on his face. After a few runs, he realized there was more to the mountain than his small hill, so he quickly moved to the gondola and ascended Whistler! Back in Vancouver, we packed away winter and broke out our light clothes as we boarded the plane for the Bahamas. An uneventful trip with all flights on time, as we slid south behind yet another storm pounding the north-east. Back aboard Estelle, all was well, having lived on a mooring in Eastern Harbour in Man-O-War Cay. Friday we settled up with the boat yard, and all at very reasonable prices, and headed across to Marsh Harbour to stock up. Here in Maxwell's Supermarket we found all the things we brought back because they wouldn't be available in the Bahamas... parmesian cheese, pesto, smoked salmon, etc. By today (Saturday) noon we were fully stocked and off to the southern end of the Sea of Abaco. We checked with Chris Parker on the SSB and the forecast looks good, perhaps a bit light, but things could be worse. The forecast is ENE@10-15 with wind chop 2' and swell from the NE of 8'@9" (seconds). The period is as important as the height, as 8' at 4" would be very bad, but at 9" it won't be noticeable... at least that's the theory. We'll leave from here tomorrow for the 60 mile crossing to Eleuthera and work our way south from there. We have been speaking with Seabird on the SSB. They are in the Exumas, and plan to cross to Eleuthera where we will meet next week. Then on south to warmer climes!