February and on to George Town

 

February 17, 2011 - George Town, The Bahamas

We continued south.

Waderwick Wells

The next Island was Waderwick Well, which is also the headquarters for the Land and Sea Park. Many days amusement was has listening the people on the radio calling up Waderwick Wells and me thinking of the Monty Python 'Welease Woger' scene from Life of Brian.

Sunset at anchor

The park had many moorings, but charged lots of money, so we anchored near to the park headquarters and had a much more peaceful time.

Trees in holes

We walked the trails ashore to explore the natural beauty and to get into holes with trees.

Quieter anchorage

Sunset were always good.

Making the stack pack

Di continues with the sewing projects, here making the main stack pack.

New screens

I made some new screens for the companion ways.

Swimming Pigs

Further south was Staniel Cay. We made sure to visit the swimming pigs, who were enthusiastic to see us at first, then just lay down to sleep as soon as they realised we didn't have any food.

Scrubbing the bottom of the boat standing on the ground.

We found another difficult to enter anchorage with very shallow water in behind Thomas Cay in the Pipe Cay channel. Just deep enough for the boat to float and shallow enough to stand and scrub its bottom.

Conch hunting with Paul and Liz

In Staniel Cay we met up with Paul and Liz again who took us Conch hunting. They don't run fast, but the bigger ones seem to be in the deeper water so take some finding.

Di caught a lovely pair of Conchs

After diving to find our fill we went to a beach to receive instruction on how to extract the meat from the shell and which bits to eat and which bits to chop.

Preparing Conch

Lots of work cutting slimy skin off.

Making Conch fritters

The end results were lots of tasty conch fritters.

Busy anchorage at George Town

Further South is George Town. The end of the line for many as they spend the winter here. There is a large sheltered anchorage, shops, water fuel and a lively social life. Although an idyllic setting it didn't feel very away from it all with so many others in the same spot. Trying to find a spot for you dinghy on a beach was never a problem before.

a Mix and Mingle

We took the opportunity to fill with food, rum and water and even had time for some socializing. Here at a 'bring a plate' ( with some food on it) to a rather lovely beach.

The quiet side of Stocking Island

It was still easy to find some peace and quiet if you walked for 15 minutes to the other side of the island.

Husking coconuts

Paul and Liz took us to a driftwood bar made on the beach and amused themselves watching us trying to get into some coconuts. After a couple of weeks it was time to head on south to some less travelled paths.

On to the Exumas

 

February 1, 2011 - Allens Cay, Bahamas, The Bahamas

Crossing to the Exumas

We had reached the end of Eleuthera, the weather was getting better, it was time to cross to the Exumas. We had a beautiful crossing and anchored behind Ship Channel Cay. Not a great anchorage and a bit rolly for our little boat. Then next day we moved to the smallest anchorage we could find. We had to enter at high tide, and then we only had 5ft of water. Difficult to enter, but very sheltered and quiet. We spent a few days relaxing and swimming.

Allens Cay anchorage

The next stop was Allens Cay, famous for its Giant Iguanas. The anchorage got pretty crowded as it was the normal first stop from Nassau. Every afternoon tripper boats would unload on the beach for 10 minutes, then rush off and leave us in peace.

Iguanas in Allens Cay

First lobster supper

We bumped into Paul and Liz from Jalan Jalan who we had met in Rock Sound. An English couple who had been around the world, and now sail just around he Bahamas. The English humour took a while to remember, but we soon remembered how to be dry,sarcastic and talk about the weather. Paul turned up to our boat with a spare lobster tail. He had ben fishing and got a bit carried away, so we helped him out and enjoyed our first lobster dinner, of many.

Our favourite anchorage

Further south we found our favourite anchorage, deserted due to the difficult entry, but sheltered. Plenty of snorkelling, with a few lobsters to find. A well on the island for fresh water, what more could you want.

The first Stack Pack made, and its maker.

DI found a few days to concentrate on the project of renewing all the blue canvas on the boat. With the cockpit cushions completed, the next was the sail covers. We decided to make Stack Packs so as to make the large main easier to control. Di made the mizzen stack pack first so as to practice the design on a smaller scale. It looks and works like a dream.

Exploring into Shroud Cay

Next stop was Shroud Cay. This first Cay in the Exumas Land and Sea park. We explored the rivers and mangrove swamps in the dinghy.

Ray, our friendly guide

We followed this friendly ray through the island as he showed us the deeper parts of the river.

Meeting the ocean on the other side

At the other side of the island where it meets the ocean was a beautiful pool for swimming.

Resting after a hard day

After a hard days exploring there was just one thing left to do.

Treasure

On to Eleuthra

 

January 26, 2011 - Governor's Harbour, The Bahamas

Glass window

From the Abacos we thought it time to head further south in search of warmer climes. We crossed to the North of Eleuthera from Cherokee Point to Royal Island in the company of several boats all choosing the windy Northern weather to fly across, rather that the prevailing southerly. We would meet up with with many of these boats time and again as our paths crossed on the voyage south.

After Royal Island we went through current cut and crossed to anchor near this bridge that joins two parts of the Island that barely touch. It is known as the glass window.

First beach BBQ

That night we invited the crew of Vontana, Ryan, Alexis and Luma, to our first beach BBQ, first of many.

SeaGal and Vontana watch or fire

Pyramid

We continues south, found some very cheap moorings in Hatchett Bay, some very cheap rum in Governers Harbour and then ran to Rock Sound to hide out another weather system. This picture taken when we went ashore for a picnic to escape from cabin fever. Maybe not such a good idea after all.

Root cave

As the weather improved we explored this town and surroundings. This cave system south of town has some amazing root systems growing down into it and was a great place for a picnic with our new friends.

Exploring root caves

January in the Bahamas

 

January 10, 2011 - Marsh Harbour, The Bahamas

Visiting the beach

After a quiet Christamas in Treasure Cay it was time to explore some more of the Abacos. We visited a few Islands, this photo was on Lynyard Cay in the way to Little Harbor, home of Petes Pub, where we enjoyed a nice lunch and some punch or two.

Surpisingly chilly at times

The weather in the Abacos at this time of year was fine most of the time, but surprisingly chilly when the North wind blew.

Playing with the Christmas jigsaw

Luckily when the weather was not so good we had present to play with from Christmas

New years eve dinner at the yacht club

For New Years eve we were back in Green Turtle Cay. Richards treated us to dinner at the yacht club.

New Years day Juncanoo

New Years day saw the Junkanoo parade. Traditionally the slaves of the original settlers were given very little time off, one days a year, usually new years day, so they celebrated. The tradition continues as parades and festivals all over The Bahamas. The parade consists of bright costumes and most of the participants banging loud drums. Just what you need with a new years day hangover.

Ever vigilant

The proceedings were organised in laid back Island style.

Hammock Testing

When the weather was fine we had time to test the new hammock.

Hammock Testing

If I can just get it started

We also visited Hope Town and Great Guana Cay, then returned to Marsh Harbour for Richard to catch his return flight.

Christmas in the Bahamas

 

December 25, 2010 - Treasure Cay, The Bahamas

Stocking by the fire of course

After our long journey and many adventures to get to this new country, we needed a rest. What better excuse than some Christmas celebrations.

Richard visited for Christmas

We were joined for 2 weeks by Richard (Diane's Dad). Richard joined us in Marsh Harbour, unfortunately without his luggage, so we waited a couple of days for it and found the time to stop up on bottles of Christmas cheer, mainly rum and Baileys. After no luggage was forthcoming Richard bought a shirt and we set of for Treasure Cay.

Windy Boxing day in the Bahamas

The weather was expected to be quite windy around Christmas so we found a good spot in the middle of the Treasure Cay Marina resort, battened down the hatches and hung up our stockings.

Christmas presents

Christmas was spent opening all our lovely presents and scattering the content around the boat.

Christmas dinner with al the trimmings

Di made us a fantastic turkey dinner with all the trimmings. In case you are wondering its not a pint of Baileys, we just don't have a gravy boat. Baileys came later.

Beers in a beach bar on a chilly boxing day

On Boxing day we headed out to a local bar for a beer and lunch. Richards luggage finally arrived so he could change out of that shirt.

Traditional walk on the beach at Christmas

We enjoyed a short walk on the Treasure Cay beech, meant to be one of the top 10 beeches in the world. With the white sand and turquoise water it was OK, but we found many more places just as nice, but unspoilt by development and tourists.

Crossing to the Bahamas

 

December 12, 2010 - Lake Worth FL, United States

A rare view of other boats sailing on the ICW

In the last stretches of the ICW the weather was warmer, the winds gentle. On very windy days we stayed on the canals and sailed in calm waters, on reasonable days we sailed offshore and when there was no wind we rested or did some jobs. Surprisingly few boats used sails in the ICW, even with a fair wind. We feel we inspired a few to try.

Fellow sailing boats on the ICW

Of all the other boats we met on the ICW heading south, this was the only one that sailed all the way. He had an old Sea Gal outboard to get him through bridges and once lit a fire on deck, but later said it was not a good idea on his wooden boat. He was mad as a brush.

Fuel dock with the big boys

In Lake Worth we filled up with all that was cheap in the USA. Fuel at a super yacht marina and endless trips to the super market for food and beer, and lots of stuff for future projects to keep us busy.

Cleaning the fore peak, before

Whilst waiting for the weather to be favourable we continued with the improvements on Sea Gal. Di cleaned the forepeak.
Here before.

Cleaning the fore peak, after

And after.

Di painting the fore peak

Later painted in time for our Christmas visitor.

New mug rack

I made a nice new mug holder to hit my head on.

New sauce rack

and sauce rack for our HP, marmite and peanut butter.

Smooth passage across the Gulf Stream

Eventually the weather forecast was good to head across the gulf stream for the Bahamas. We left very early in the morning the make the best of the days light on arrival, had a very smooth crossing to memory rock.

Sailing on the ICW

We arrived in Bahamian waters and hoisted our yellow customs flag. This stays up until you clear customs, which was a few days as we had some weather coming to hold us up.

Clear blue water of the Bahamas

We enjoyed our first view of the clear waters of the Bahamas, with the white sand giving an amazing turquoise on a calm day.

Stormy weather over Great Sale Cay

The first night we anchored on the east side of Great Sale Cay. The recommended anchorage is on the West side, but we had a strong westerly forecast for 48 hours. Our anchorage was not the best and quite bumpy and times, but when we dragged anchor we had 50 miles until the next piece of land. Not so for a couple on a Bavaria in the western anchorage who dragged onto the beach and had a US CG helicopter take them home. The saga playing out took our minds of our own discomfort.

The weather soon cleared and we made our way to Green Turtle Cay to finally check in and enjoy arriving in a new country.

Cocktails in the Bahamas at last

Any woe's were quickly forgotten with our new stock of rum and a 'pain killer' cocktail.