MIDORI ADVENTURES

We've been here fourteen days, in the company of half a dozen boats, waiting for a good weather window to get to Nassau and the Exuma Islands. There was one window last week, but it meant an overnight trip and being stuck in Nassau for a week where marina prices are double. The biggest hazard was a couple of fronts moving across the area on Saturday and Sunday and there are very few islands in the Exumas that provide protection from the northwest.

There is plenty to do and see in Bimini. We've had beach days, and some cruisers have gone conch harvesting at low tide. Twelve of us went on a group tour of the Shark Research Centre on South Bimini after watching them tag one or two in our marina waters! (They come in because of the fish cleaning stations at the dock). But more surprisingly, Brian and I saw one of them on the Atlantic side of the island, swimming right up to the edge of the shore. I was real pleased to have my camera with me and catch the photo.

Fort Lauderdale is running a "fast boat" across to Bimini on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We were lucky to catch the first event - with the JUNKANOO band and free rum punch! Hopefully, this will give their economy a little boost during the low season.

We have been enjoying the company of Lucie and Paul on FLEUR DE LYS (a Whitby 42). They are from Montreal, so I am practising my French.

We have (almost) eaten our fill of fresh lobster. Is that really possible? It is caught fresh every day and the tails offered for sale on our dock for a reasonable price. We find the conch harvesting and cleaning to be too much work. We do enjoy the conch salad which is actually ceviche, and it is also available from a local lady who comes by our dock.

The pool was reopened this week, and during the hot weather, it was a wonderful thing! Also a great place to congregate for Happy Hours.

Randy and Lori McGraw on SOULMATE 3 hail from Gimli, Manitoba and we refer to them as our "social directors". They have been cruising these island for many years, and are so willing and eager to share their knowledge and experience. Randy has educated a few of our group on conch harvesting which Lori then turns into ceviche or fritters for Happy Hour. They also led a few of us on a dinghy ride through the mangroves on the east side of Bimini.

The cold front finally arrived last night, with winds from the northwest of up to 31 knots and the temperature has dropped to 60 F. We prepared by adding extra lines and chafe protection to MIDORI. We are well protected here on the east side of the island. It will be interesting to see how comfortable we are when the wind clocks around to the east, although the winds are not predicted to be as strong.

We all continue to look at the weather predictions every day by various means. Internet is good here for Passage Weather and WindFinder. Some people listen to Chris Parker early in the morning. Paul has been providing us with virtual buoy weather. We have XM satellite weather, but it is only good for 36 hours.

Safe and Sound and Happy in Bimini.

Co-Captain Lynn