We finally pulled up both anchors and left the anchorage near the government center on January 7!! On the 8th, we left Pumpkin Key EARLY to cross to the Bahamas. We made it to Bimini Sands Marina by 4:45 PM and didn't want to anchor out because the wind velocity and direction would have meant little or no sleep. We continued traveling with the right wind and weather for six days - stopping for a good night of rest each day. Arrived in George Town after those 6 days. Rested for a couple of days, Darrell played some volleyball and when the wind was right, proceeded to Salt Pond Long Island.
Arrived here on 1-17-16 following a nice sail from GT. We had been in contact with Alibi II - met them last year in Marathon. They are helping organize relief efforts here following Hurricane Joaquin. We did some work for a local fisherman and his family. Next week, we hope to do some work at the rectory in Clarence Town (south of here).
The people here are just so friendly and pleasant. No complaining, just pull up their sleeves and get to work following the storm. Always ready with a smile and a greeting.
The other night, we weathered a "blow" that was nothing like what they had last fall but eye opening just the same. We knew it was coming for days and we were prepared for it but it still made one think about how insignificant we are in this great big ocean and world. Roxy didn't care for the storm at all!! The worst of it only lasted for ten minutes but it seemed an eternity. Fifty knots of wind is pretty terrific!!
Anyway, almost half of our vacation time is gone. :( Roxy is loving her beaches - you should see her smile :D hopefully the weather is going to start settling down so we can enjoy some more beach time before we have to begin thinking about finding the right weather window to make tracks back to the Keys.
And now for a couple of good stories. Firstly, one on us.....
We were so excited to see places that hold fond memories from prior trips here. When we reached Norman Cay in time to make McDuff's before dark, we hustled in and parked the dinghy to go have a meal and drink. Should have taken a bit more time in getting that secured. No, no, nothing stolen! Just returned after sundown to a dinghy that had taken on a little water to bail out before we could return to Alibi. Now, it is not JUST Ann that has swamped the dink with onshore waves!!
Second story is on our friends (who know no strangers) here in Long Island. We went up south (yeah I know) to help a local preacher recently. On the return trip (remember how friendly I said the people are), we waved hello to a stopped vehicle heading the other direction and slowed to a crawl. The vehicle came after us racing toward us in reverse and our chauffeur, Bess, got out to talk to them. Now, no longer strangers, but new found friends with a farm and the potential for freshly grown produce!!
And then, as if I don't have enough material to write about, Darrell gives me more!! To prepare the boat for our next adventure, we needed to replenish fuel. Our boat uses diesel...... And that's what he thought he was putting in the jerry jugs. Ten to twelve gallons of gasoline added to our more than half full tank!! So, what should have been an hour or two turned into all day ordeal and several $$. We located a cruiser here with a 12V pump and he located an empty barrel (and person willing to take the tainted fuel off our hands) to pump out our fuel tank. When we had all the fuel out we could get out and jerry cans of diesel to come back out, the dinghy motor decided to act up. Some locals from the island helped Darrell get that sorted out. We're back in business for the next adventure . . . . the Ragged Islands or Jumentos. On our bucket list ever since we started coming to the Bahamas!!!
If we get the right weather in a few weeks, we won't be able to post after we leave there until we are home. You'll just have to watch for the next blog update or SPOT messages to see our route back to south Florida......
