Shelter from the storm

February 6 - 9 2020
We left Rainbow Bay just before 7 as the winds were supposed to pick up in the afternoon but no one told the wind. The Sound is mostly 10 to 15 feet deep and like Buzzards Bay when the wind picks up the waves quickly build. We had the jib helping for the first 2 hours but by 9 the wind was in the mid 20’s with higher gusts and waves on the bow. Nothing is slower than that. The waves washed the deck and spray went over and in the open enclosure. This added over an hour to our 34 nm trip but the anchorage I wanted with great southern wind protection was empty and the perfect spot. We moved in close to an uncommonly high tree covered shore. Though only just after 2 we were tired and fit only to go to our corners and retire.

Fuel here needs to be filtered for water etc 

Steadfast from the Beach west of Poison Point
The clear water in the sun makes great designs 

After regrouping in the morning we went snorkeling and visited the nearby beach. This was a very nice and peaceful spot but the winds were going to swing to the northeast as a front approached  so we moved to a new spot off the town of Rock Sound by noon Friday. Soon after we headed for the laundromat and gas station for diesel. After starting laundry we had a snack and beer at Louis Delights on the waterfront. This is a nice, reasonably priced place that caters to locals. As Sheri headed back to dry I went for fuel. I filled the tanks and was told cash only so I gave the attendant my credit card and license and said I would take the fuel to the boat and get the rest of the money. When I finally returned the owner said I shouldn’t have left the card and license for security. They seemed insulted as the father in his 80’s said “no man, we don’t work like that”.
Before heading back to the boat I stopped in at the waterfront fish fry stand as they were getting ready to begin a night of food and drink sales as a fund raiser for the annual home coming. We brought our clothes back to the boat and returned for a bbq chicken and conch fritters dinner. We were served by the owner of a local restaurant, Frigates, and a woman who works at the National Insurance Board which is the equivalent of our Soc Sec system. She said that they are giving out too much money to too many and will soon be insolvent. I hate to be around when the checks bounce. The music went till midnight and since it was so close I wish I liked it more. Most songs were dubbed over with party screams though there weren’t many there. Earplugs and sleep

Sheri with our Friday night fundraising team 

Returning after chores 

We knew the winds would pick up Saturday but when the rain started it was heavy for over five hours. We were going to get some local RO water here anyway so I decided to try collecting some rain water and soon had over 7 gallons. This is a great source of water for washing and cooking and more trustworthy than the pond smelling water that you could get from outside taps all around town. That was a good Saturday project and after dinner we settled in for a movie.

Water water everywhere...boy did it rain 

We ventured out Sunday late morning in the gusty wind to see the Cathedral Caves, the Blue Hole and the Police parade. The caves were another one of those places that made me say wow and the blue hole was just a pond (I am Blue Hole Jaded) but the fish that swarmed when food was tossed in was great. On the way back to town for the parade we stopped at an ice cream stand to have a banana split in honor of Terri Hire as was done at his memorial. Not open and not sure if it’s a going concern so we got nutty buddies from the gas station instead.

There were some spider webs but no one home...good

 

Sheri feeding her pancake so no wonder so many turned out

The parade is part of a larger service held each year to gather all the police and public servants at church for a blessing and then host them after at the Methodist church. The Bahamian Police Band was on hand but only a third of this world famous band was present. This was big doings as it looked like a quarter of the population was in place.  

We were sitting on the stoop of an abandoned store talking with another boating couple when a very energetic, engaging local woman came by. She knew the other gentleman cruiser but after a while I realized she was the person that we were supposed to contact for a dinner at her restaurant. I told her when I read the electronic chart on my boat the pin for this town has just her information and if she was open tonight we would be there. She said that her food would wow us beyond belief but not on Sunday. Next time we eat!

Rose Gibson owner of Northside Restaurant 

After the parade we returned to the boat exhausted by the many activities and ready for sleep to take over...after leftovers and popcorn of course.