Saturday, January 31, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Anchored at Sand Dollar Beach
That was our best stay ever (to nearly quote Sponge Bob) at Lee Stocking Island. The weather cooperated such that we could
circumnavigate many of the surrounding islands in our dinghy and explore to our
hearts content. With the help of
directions from others we found a vertical cave that was gushing water out with
the tide, and a river into a salt pond that we walked up on an ebb tide. It was quite a workout but a beautiful
snorkeling view of fish in the mangroves on the drift out. We met a couple from Florida, Greg and Ann,
doing a kayak trip out of Odi Creek on Barraterra. Greg was the one with the tip on the vertical
cave.
We arrived at Georgetown yesterday about noon. Had a quick lunch and nap, then set off for our favorite path to the beach on the Exuma Sound side. A couple hours of swimming and walking were just what we needed. We met up with the Taia and Skylark gangs on Volleyball Beach, at which point we were invited to have cake on Skylark to celebrate Eleanor’s 9th birthday. We were relieved to discover that Skylark’s dinghy engine was still intact and did not hear more from Hana planning its demise. Our new discovery is that Hana likes to hug, vigorously. Hugging Hana I now call her. Enjoy it while it lasts, there will be a day soon enough when she outgrows it.
We arrived at Georgetown yesterday about noon. Had a quick lunch and nap, then set off for our favorite path to the beach on the Exuma Sound side. A couple hours of swimming and walking were just what we needed. We met up with the Taia and Skylark gangs on Volleyball Beach, at which point we were invited to have cake on Skylark to celebrate Eleanor’s 9th birthday. We were relieved to discover that Skylark’s dinghy engine was still intact and did not hear more from Hana planning its demise. Our new discovery is that Hana likes to hug, vigorously. Hugging Hana I now call her. Enjoy it while it lasts, there will be a day soon enough when she outgrows it.
The weather is forecast to have a westerly component for
about a three day period beginning Saturday, with the probability of some
strong fronts coming through shortly afterward.
I imagine we will hang out here until the weather pattern changes and we
can move southward to less protected anchorages.
Tonight, if the weather allows, we plan to meet up with Greg
and Ann in Georgetown and walk down to the Friday Fish Fry. It will not be the same as Friday night pizza
at Moon River, but what is. They had pesto
pizza on board with us Wednesday night before we parted ways and then gave us a
bunch of meals they were not taking back on the plane. Meeting new people is one of the biggest joys
of cruising, next to reuniting with old friends.
Love to all,
Dena
{GMST}23|30.39|N|075|45.73|W|1/24/2015|6:39 AM{GEND}
{GMST}23|30.39|N|075|45.73|W|1/24/2015|6:39 AM{GEND}
Monday, January 19, 2015
Lee Stocking Island
That little, and I mean little, anchoring spot last night
worked out just fine since the wind came on suddenly out of the north and not
the west. We did get a surge from the
opening near us, but it was mostly on a flood tide. The current runs through that spot, as a
result we hung out over our anchor.
Once the wind kicked up, Hold Fast danced around but only on her own
stage. She left her anchoring partners
alone. We are so much more affected by
current than the fin keel boats and the little catamaran that were around us. She sails against the current to the end of
her leash, like she has a mind of her own.
It is as if she is making a social call to the other boats, saying
hello. I am sure that is not their
perspective.
We tried to get out Galliot Cut at slack tide, but listening
to weather delayed us. I must say, with
15 to 20 knots out of the NNE and the beginning of an ebb tide, it was our roughest transit through Galliot Cut yet. We were the first boat out and observed
carefully. Three boats came out after
us. Once on course, we had a reefed main
as it was mostly a jib run down to Adderly Cut, averaging about seven knots. I could make coffee, but it was not easy.
Adderly Cut faces ESE therefore we expected a better ride
in. Regardless, winds like these with an
ebb tide are reason enough to stay alert. Myron
hugged the corner of Adderly Cay which kept us out of the main ebb. We had a few sharp three to four footers that
pushed us around. Between the sails and
the engine, we got ‘er done. What a
pleasure to be inside again!
Our entrance was again carefully observed. It is difficult to judge whether another boat
would respond similar to Hold Fast, at 15 tons gross, with a modified full keel,
a custom rudder and 80 ponies in the engine.
They must have learned from Galliot Cut that Hold Fast is a bit of a
beast or that we are a bit crazy. No one
followed us in.
Time for us to see if anyone is still allowed on this private island. I was hoping for some coconuts.
Love to all,
Dena
{GMST}23|46.29|N|076|06.41|W|Anchored|{GEND}
{GMST}23|46.29|N|076|06.41|W|Anchored|{GEND}
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Near Galliot Cut
We had a great time with the Australian youngsters, Mark and Tie, on a long dinghy ride north, all the way up to the coral aquarium at Cambridge. Over 20 miles roundtrip. We also dove on the plane wreck near the aquarium. There was a smart current moving along, so when we finished that adventure, I could tell I was probably done for the day. They still had energy to burn. We found a beach and had lunch and then parted ways shortly after that. In the Pipe Cays on our way back, we visited with Vic and GG on Salty Turtle. We waved at the youngsters as they drove by, but they did not see us.
We also had a nice grotto dive with Stuart, Louis, Eleanor and Hana on Skylark. The two young girls had us entertained most of the time. We had given Louis (mom) and Eleanor a ride in our 'go fast' dinghy and then Hana wanted the next ride. She told daddy she wanted an engine like ours. Mom said not until their current engine quit working. Hana immediately began scheming the demise of that poor little engine, even suggesting they just drop it in the water.
Back at Big Majors, we were joined by Chris and Craig on Tilt before the frontal passage, which we rode out at Big Majors. Then we headed over to Black Point on Saturday so I could address a couple mountains of laundry. I also took the opportunity to download the new 2014 tax forms. I do not relish that horrible chore in my life.
After attending church today, where Terrence (Ida's husband) is still interim pastor, we buttoned up the dinghy and set out for points south. Preferably to some place that will afford us some protection for tonight's frontal passage. We hope this will do the trick and so do five other boats anchored near us.
Love to all,
Dena
Posted via Ham Radio.
{GMST}23|55.682|N|076|17.466|W|Anchored|{GEND}
We also had a nice grotto dive with Stuart, Louis, Eleanor and Hana on Skylark. The two young girls had us entertained most of the time. We had given Louis (mom) and Eleanor a ride in our 'go fast' dinghy and then Hana wanted the next ride. She told daddy she wanted an engine like ours. Mom said not until their current engine quit working. Hana immediately began scheming the demise of that poor little engine, even suggesting they just drop it in the water.
Back at Big Majors, we were joined by Chris and Craig on Tilt before the frontal passage, which we rode out at Big Majors. Then we headed over to Black Point on Saturday so I could address a couple mountains of laundry. I also took the opportunity to download the new 2014 tax forms. I do not relish that horrible chore in my life.
After attending church today, where Terrence (Ida's husband) is still interim pastor, we buttoned up the dinghy and set out for points south. Preferably to some place that will afford us some protection for tonight's frontal passage. We hope this will do the trick and so do five other boats anchored near us.
Love to all,
Dena
Posted via Ham Radio.
{GMST}23|55.682|N|076|17.466|W|Anchored|{GEND}
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Feeding Pigs at Big Majors Spot
There is something going on at Norman’s Cay. Not the Carlos Lehder drug smuggling type of
stuff from the 1970’s, rather it would appear they are literally digging out a
marina on the island. Private or not, we shall find out soon enough.
During our stay at Norman's, we went out fishing once and were
skunked all day. We had turned toward
the cut and I was reeling in the gear when the reel went off beyond the brake I
set. A wahoo puts up a good fight and
indeed it was a wahoo. Then the other
reel went off and Myron pulled in a small mahi mahi. We let the mahi go since it was under three
feet, but kept the wahoo, a bit
over three feet. While smaller than our previous
wahoo catches, it still dressed out to several steaks. A fish meal everyday is not something we take
for granted. It is hard work and we are
not always so blessed. We thank God. He has provided, again.
Today we moved down to Big Majors Spot, also known as ‘Pig’s
Beach.’ I saved up some veggie scraps
and there were several huge and happy snorting recipients. There must have been a dozen or more
piglets. They are so cute to watch. Myron, the pig whisperer, picked up several
piglets until he found a few that did not engage in such squeals as to bring
big momma running. Camila wanted to hold
one. She got to hold two. Another moment to regret that I had no camera
with me.
We met a nice couple from Australia, Mark and Rie, who are here on land for
the next couple of days. They were out
in a rented boat and stopped by Hold Fast after meeting us on Pigs Beach. Myron gave them some sites to boat to as well
as the location of the coral aquarium. Tomorrow
we planned to do some scouting in the dinghy south of here, yet I am tempted to
go north with them dive the coral.
Decisions.
It was nice to visit with the gang from Taia today, and from
Julianna II (CS36), and meet the folks on Skylark, a catamaran. Our encounter with Taia today was brief. They plan to leave tomorrow. We want more time in the Exumas, so I expect
the next place we will see them is Georgetown before they head for the Virgin
Islands.
We took the dinghy over to Isles General store today. I guess the reason there are no prices on
anything is because we would never pick it up and take it to the counter. We got two tomatoes, a three pack of yeast, a
dozen eggs and two ice cream bars. The
total was over $16. The only item I knew
the price of when I went to the counter was the eggs: $3.95 (before 7.5% VAT). I will let you work on the math on the cost
of the other items. Oy! Yes, we thank God He provides fish.
Love to all,
Dena
Posted via 2G.
{GMST}24|10.964|N|076|27.540|W|Anchored|{GEND}
Posted via 2G.
{GMST}24|10.964|N|076|27.540|W|Anchored|{GEND}
Friday, January 9, 2015
Anchored at Norman’s
We had a bit of a blow out of the north and northeast
yesterday. It was Camila’s birthday, and
what better way to top off the day than go hang out at the gazebo by the Ocean
Hole and have cake and lemonade. Pink
butterfly cake too! Camila was happy
because there were other kids in the Rock Sound anchorage. Three girls to be exact, two French girls and
an American. Matias managed to have fun
anyway.
Based upon the wind forecast and what we could get of the
wave height, we expected today to be the best day over the next week to make a fishing
trip from Eleuthera to Norman’s Cay. The
weatherman called for squalls, instead we had beautiful sunny weather. Mostly the seas were under three feet, even
under two feet. Occasionally a steep pair
of waves from the southeast would toss us about, but it was otherwise a typical
rolling downwind sail. We had nice wind
for most of the passage, although it did begin to fade away on us during the
last 15 miles and was under 10 knots by the time we got to the cut. We entered after 3 pm, on the last of the ebb
tide. Hey, better than hitting the full
ebb with 20 knots of winds against it!
We caught our first fish of the season: a 52” female mahi mahi. Some of it has already been shared with Tim
and Joanne on ‘Expatriot,’ a Morgan 384.
We found them anchored here upon our arrival and are glad they made the
effort to come over in their dinghy, as we did not feel like advertising (via
yelling or the radio) that we were giving away fish! It made a tasty meal for us as well tonight
and we are both ready for an early turn out.
I would like to catch more fish before we leave this area,
but that is up to the grace of God. We
are thankful for His provision.
Love to all,
Dena
Posted via 3G.
{GMST}24|35.408|N|076|48.769|W|Anchored|{GEND}
Posted via 3G.
{GMST}24|35.408|N|076|48.769|W|Anchored|{GEND}
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Change of Plans – Now In Rock Sound
If you noticed, we updated our last post about the moorings
in Hatchet Bay. Francis at Front
Porch/Back Porch Restaurant insists those are his private moorings. Fine.
We moved off. We do not mind
anchoring out, that is not the issue.
The reason we left is due to his ranting, cursing, and angry statements
he was making about white people. We had
concerns about the safety of our unattended dinghy and even Hold Fast. We let the principal know and hope things are
calmed down when we return, Lord willing, in April.
Today our goal was Governor’s Harbor, specifically an
extremely affordable lunch at Pammy’s Take Out (we actually eat in). Even with the new 7.5% VAT added on January 1
to everything in the Bahamas, Pammy’s conch burgers are still $6. I had the conch / peas and rice snack for $9,
and Myron had the same with a side of plantains for a total of $11. We brought home leftovers because neither of
us could finish our plates.
When we came into Governor’s Harbor, I noticed five brand
new moorings to the north. We are
getting the impression that the opinions expressed about foreigners who come by
boat need to pay more is not just talk. That
sentiment is becoming evident by actions that may result in greater
difficulties in some areas for boaters to anchor. Granted, anchoring in Governor’s Harbor is
difficult and it took us two tries to get a grab. But now the space in which to find a good spot is even
more limited.
Any hoo, we still think Governor’s Harbor is a neat
place. But as we returned from lunch, our chart plotter showed that Taia’s AIS was not too far away and we made a snap decision to set sail with them
to Rock Sound. It was a fun sail when we
had wind. “Shari sailing” I like to call
it because she would like it. The banks are so easy and the wind was only 10-12 knots on our
beam. When the breeze got below 10, slowing
us down into an arrival time after dark, Myron decided make water and top off
the tanks. That only took about an hour,
at which point the wind was conveniently back up again. We arrived concurrent with Taia and they came
over for a visit after we all got settled in.
I do not know how long we will hang out here. We are expecting a blow late tomorrow night
that may last a while. The weather man
says these coming winds from the N and NE are the result of a significant high
pressure area in Nebraska. Unusually high: 1055mb, or 31.15 inches. So they get a deep freeze in Nebraska and we
get strong north winds. Who knew?
Love to all,
Dena
Posted via 3G.
{GMST}24|52.243|N|076|09.949|W|Anchored|{GEND}
Posted via 3G.
{GMST}24|52.243|N|076|09.949|W|Anchored|{GEND}
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Happy New Year from Hatchet Bay! - MOORINGS UPDATE 1-5-15
Last night there was a private fireworks show just south of
where we anchored, but I have a news flash for the land owners – there is no
such thing as a private fireworks show.
The pyrotechnics that scream as they gain altitude sure had the roosters
screaming back. I could not help but
giggle at that back and forth banter.
The wind kicked up out of the east this morning and turned a
little south of east as we worked our way through Current Cut. We had several squalls that made it quite
rough, but the double rainbow stayed with us for over an hour. No rain, no rainbow. We considered hanging out at an anchorage
near Glass Window, but a check on the forecast showed higher winds tonight with
an increasingly south component. That
solidified our decision to head to Hatchet Bay and see what would come of us
taking a mooring. The word on the
cruisers net was that they were charging $20 a night for a mooring - an
unmaintained mooring with no tackle.
There are some missionaries here from NY working with the
kids during their winter break. We could
not find them tonight but hope to connect tomorrow.
UPDATE ON MOORINGS: On
Sunday, January 4, 2015, an hour after returning from church, a man named
Francis who runs the ‘Front Porch/Back Porch’ restaurant, came out in a small
sailboat without rigging and told us the moorings were private. We told him we would move off the mooring as
soon as we could ready ourselves.
Francis had previously engaged the gentlemen on the mooring behind us
and Francis became quite irate when our new friend took a picture of him. Francis returned with the police, or at least
someone carrying a badge that appeared authentic to our friend from 25
feet. The policeman was calm and diplomatic. When our friend offered to pay for the night,
Francis said he had a boat coming in that night for that mooring. Then Francis recanted and said he would take
the money, but when our friend said he would pay only if he got a receipt, Francis
became irate again and said there would be no receipt.
Due to the poor holding in this bay, Myron set up a tandem
anchor rig for us. After we dropped the
anchors and paid out scope, Myron pulled against our new setup at 1700
RPM. That is more than 300 RPM over our
regular running RPM! The ground tackle
would not budge. As a result, we slept
better than we had the two previous nights on a questionable mooring. However, given the hostility demonstrated by
Francis, we will likely be moving on after we touch base with the school principal. I wanted to tell Francis that it would be
really helpful if he would mark the moorings private and give folks a name and
number to call to reserve them, but he was completely unapproachable.
The people of Alice Town (Hatchet Bay) are lovely. For their sakes, I hope this gets resolved
soon.
Love to all,
Dena
Posted via 3G.
{GMST}25|20.791|N|076|29.310|W|Moored|{GEND}
Posted via 3G.
{GMST}25|20.791|N|076|29.310|W|Moored|{GEND}
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