Day 47 - Wednesday, 2-27-08 - Allan's Cay/Leaf Cay, Exumas

The wind has taken up residence. It's a bright, sunny day in this anchorage, but the wind is unrelenting. The rare marine rock iguanas are the star attraction. We counted 45 on the beach after one dinghy landed. The guidebooks tell you not to feed them, but we have a sneaky suspicion the tour boats from Nassau chum them. Some of these reptiles weigh close to 15 pounds.

Had a little excitement when dinghies from many of the boats around us headed toward Hannah One, one of our traveling buddies we picked up in Bimini. Discovered that one of the sailboats that arrived last night anchored across Hannah's anchor line. When he decided to pull up his anchor and move this morning he also pulled up Hannah's anchor. The crew was asleep, but, luckily, someone noticed and got the word out before they were swept onto the nearby rocks. The dinghies stayed around all morning setting other anchors to stabilize the boat. When Hannah One finally stopped moving, they were half a boat length from the rocks by both bow and stern. Finally, Mike & Bill of Reliable Exile, another of our other sailing partners, suggested they put out another anchor and wench themselves out of their precarious position. We had a large CQR anchor with chain and a long rode that Mike & Bill dinghied out to them. It worked! Finally they could rest a little more easy.

Sara fashioned her fused glass-pieces, while the others read or napped. The crew has suggested she call these her "Exumas Collection."

Mike and Bill declined our invitation for cocktails, but then radioed to say they were coming after all. We looked up to see them dive off their boat and swim over! Then, a handsome young man and his beautiful dog dinghied over to suggest we keep in touch by radio during the predicted blow during the night. Down from Canada, he said his girlfriend (back on the boat) still loved him, but not quite as much since he had brought her down to all this wind and roily seas. We enjoyed the sunset and Mike and Bill swam back to their boat before dark.

We had smoked pork chops, broccoli rice and Waldorf salad for supper. One game of cards then off to bed. Sara is amazed that even with all the tension caused by the wind and high seas, she has completely left her insomnia and other assorted ailments in the States! (SBS)