Spanish Wells

Sheri provides the color commentary as we enter the harbor 

Though the trip was only 5 miles it was a world away. We anchored in a fairly open area just outside the entrance to the harbor. From the bow I can look out and see the chain and anchor laying on the bottom. We worked for a half hour turning the boat in different angles and pulling on the anchor but it did not seem to dig in too far. Once we were holding it was off to explore the town. We tied the dinghy bow in with a stern anchor to a wall at a ladder to help with the 4’ climb. A marina, some docks and a working area dominated this part of the town. We went into Pinder’s Supermarket and wandered around till I was greeted by an older friendly man who I was to find out was the matriarch of one of the oldest family’s in Spanish Wells, owner Morton Pinder. I listened as he recited each stop of an around the world cruise of 64 days and then a cruise for 35 days from the US through Scandinavia. He owns the oldest home where his grandfather raised 8, then his father raised 8 and he raised 3. I enjoyed his story and watched after we parted as he engaged all with a smile.

When they want to pull a boat up the road is closed

The platform lowers into the water, you drive your boat over it and they lift you up.
Not a lot of environmental concerns as they power wash.

Walking about the well maintained homes and streets there was more than one street that bared the Pinder  name.I spoke with a woman who was selling lunch at a folding table next to a building and learned that 3 days a week she is there making money to repay the expenses for having to be life flighted after an accident. As we continued along that woman’s friend picked us up and drove us to the market in her golf cart. Another market to wander and study till we learned of a bakery in a house across the street. We have been searching for coconut bread but found that it is not something made on this island. Jonny cakes were a substitute for now as we headed for the beautiful protected beach on the north side. We walked along while I practiced the technique of pounding the outer husk of a coconut and removing it.

The waterfront flows from commercial to residential as you head East 

The shipyard restaurant has an excellent location with a great view to the north

The north beach is a picture postcard with a lot of home away and VRBO rentals

We made our way back over the hill through the middle of the island and stopped at Buddha’s pub for refreshments. After reviewing the menu I turned to go outside to get Sheri when someone called out my name. Deep in at the bar were the two couples we had spent the night before with. While Jim and Bob were engrossed in a boat issue we chatted with the ladies and ordered conch fritters to go with our Kaliks. The bartender, Virginia knew Morton and his superb memory. Our last stop was back to Pinders to pick out a few groceries and we passed on the frozen fish at the next market...guess the high price left me cold.

The road through the center of the island and if you zoom in you can see the sign for Buddhas on the right

A golf cart drives past a view of the opening back to the anchorage. If you look carefully you can see the masts sticking over the trees to the right of the channel out.

We wrapped up the night by inviting Jim and Sue from Blackthorn over to swap stories from the old country,Massachusetts, where we are all from. Though seemingly anchored in the open it was calm and we slept well in Spanish Wells.