May 3, 2011
Proviidenciales, Turks & Caicos
Arrived here after a three days twenty hour sail from San Juan with Sharon & Dan and I taking turns on three or two hour watches day and night. Good winds, great sailing for the first three days. Motor sailed the last twenty hours and arrived at about 10:00a.m. to a reasonably well marked entrance. through a coral head encrusted shallow bay. We completely missed the tiny channel into the cove and continued thru perilous coral infested waters when we finally reached the marina on the VHF for directions. Needless to say the entrance was extremely narrow and one would be hard pressed to locate it but any ideal conditions. Once inside it was calm, clear, but only about 7’ deep ( we draw 5’). So now we are tied up to a permanent structure ( boat slip) for the first time almost six months other than taking on fuel and water. Shore power and water is luxury. Rested and relaxed for a day or so after a reasonably long trip for us. Today we rented a car and chased around for marine services, laundry, etc.. Turtle cove marina is a work in process. About half the slips are occupied and much construction has yet to be completed. The main activity today is the beginning of installation of a huge tent for cinco de mayo which to their great dismay Sharon and Dan will miss as they are flying out about 2:00p.m. May 5. Fortunately three captians, Bob Wood, Pam Hatch and Chuck Willette from the SBMCA are arriving to help me bring the boat to Nassau where hopefully more crew will sign on to make the trip to Annapolis.
Picture is of Sharon on the passage pretending to be Don.