Guests are coming

February 13-16 
In the lee of Current island a steady breeze builds out of the SE. The sky lightens and it’s just the waning half moon in the sky. An occasional rooster, bird chirp and wave complete the canvas of the morning. As I await the 630 weather breifing and coffee thoughts of a return to Nassau take hold. It has been 5 years (2015) since we stayed in the Guannahani timeshare at cable beach. At the last visit we brought both sets of parents. I sat with my Dad in chairs at the waterline looking out at a sailboat anchored by North Cay saying I expected to bring Steadfast there. We had spent 5 weeks there with good friends and family with only Lindsey not sleeping there though she visited the property when we went to Nassau on a cruise. Four years ago due to extensive storm damage the timeshare began the process of dissolving and releasing owners without compensation. An effort began to sue but after a couple of years that also dissolved and all that is left are empty pockets and pleasant memories. I am looking forward to the visit as a way of closure.
Sheri is on the bow again watching as our exit involves negotiating coral fields.Then the depth goes from 15 feet to several hundred feet quickly and just like thousands of sailboats before us, under full sail, we are sailing. To say we don’t often just sail (no motor) is an understatement. Sheri expresses concerns of power depletion but nothing can derail this special time to sail quickly and quietly to Nassau. Over the 40 nm we averaged 7.25k. There was little heel and steady breezes. Sheri looking all Captain Morgan (ish) at the wheel for a turn while I went below. Her fear of wind is slowly being replaced with an I can do this approach. Good on you Sheri!

The extra speed got us into Delaport Bay by 2 and I had a chance to walk around the timeshare property. Now neglected it is covered in sand, overgrown and falling apart. A rehab project had replaced 60% of the windows and all the appliances and furniture were gone. I guess the rehab was too expensive, revealed cement and rebar failings at the time a tropical storm hit. I will tear at movies, or languish in the sold family home remembering so many large gatherings and daily events. Now where I sat with Dad, danced with Sheri, posed with friends for photos, shared a drink with Ron Carolyn, Phyllis, Bern and Jim, spent time with my sisters and Pat, gave Jo her own large closet, are now only in my heart. Good lesson that a place is only the vehicle to highlight the special people we have been given in our life. I said goodbye to a place and took my memories and a good coconut as well. Sheri and I then toured around in the dinghy before returning to Steadfast for a night that will be remembered for me being less than gentlemanly to the Sandals boat launch driver who crossed within a few feet of the bow sending a bunch of stuff flying around the inside of the boat including us.

Friday’s travel is only 5nm so by noon we were anchored inside Nassau Harbor where the          perfect conditions prompted me to grab a halyard and swing off the deck out into the bay.  

 

 We were also in a great spot for watching the cruise ships come in. We were the only boat in this large anchorage when we headed to Senor Frogs for a happy hour snack then two others joined us. The night was mostly peaceful except for the competing bar music that travels easily across the still water.

I think this applies to those who jump from the bar without paying 

We are up early organizing for guests... Barb and Dave Berry from Maine arriving on the Navigator of The Seas. This is one of 5 large ships arriving this morning. They are the first ship and knowing their room preference I spot them on the wall of balconies then confirm with binoculars. It is amazing that a ship carrying almost 5200 people can be so quiet as it passes. Soon we are against the seawall near the Straw Market where Sheri is lifted up and David is onboard whisked off for a fun day soldering and sealing wires. Sheri and Barb were happy to spend the day with a thousand others finding that special free trinket the stores give to cruise passengers. First we need to drive the dinghy across a long distance swim meet taking place around the anchored boat then get permission to move the boat from Nassau Harbor Control. 

I think I see them...go up 12 floors and over 39...see them now.
We look small but obvious from their angle.

I think this piece of pavement helped secure our anchor 

Melting/shrinking the covering onto the wires...Success!!

5 ships x2000 plus... no shopping for me 

We are the 2nd in on the right next to the boat with 1400hp (4x350)

“Slow down, ok Stop there” shouted Dwayne as lines were placed in a web to keep us between the neighboring boat and the pillings. You could barely keep a fender on each side and as passing boats in the channel make wakes that push everyone around I used all 6 fenders to provide safety while bouncing. Dave got right to it and the easiest fix of the auto helm proved the best. I had removed and dismantled the unit and discovered wires black and broken from shorting where they chafed on the housing. David armed with this information had brought soldering equipment, a Dremel and heat shrink tubes to seal the connections. Soon we placed the tested electromagnetic clutch onto the motor and remounted the “devil” screws with a new extension tool David created. Hey Dave can you build me a blender for pina coladas...Dave...wait. After cooking them a fine late lunch Barb and Dave rode off into sunset (a cab to their boat) and people at the marina were heard saying who was that masked engineer. Thanks for a great visit!

Under the bridge at Potters Cay having a Sky Juice and watching the fishermen 

We were left to do laundry, fill water tanks and take a swim in the marina pool.

Sunday morning and we had a check list of items to do before church because soon after church we were headed out...the winds have changed again. There was 25 gallons of diesel to be hauled in 5 gallon jugs and filtered into the tanks. Since we paid a flat fee for all the water we needed we filtered about 70 gallons into the tanks, another 10 in jugs and another 5 in everything else. The boat decks were washed along with the enclosure windows then the humans were cleaned on the outside leaving the inside to be worked on at Calvary Bible Church. (especially since my reaction to a very tardy cab driver who was blaming us...you get the gist) This church is great. They read and apply the Bible with no excuse except that Jesus stands ready to help us learn and grow if we ask. They also asked if they could provide transportation back to the marina after service. It felt like a homecoming as we were welcomed by so many. For those of you who haven’t experienced this it is four times better than being a part of Red Sox Nation prior to the cheating.

We are to the left of the last ship in front of the trees

Sheri was nervous about leaving the marina but she did fine as Dwayne assisted in coaching us out between pilings that had less than an inch to spare on each side. Harbor control cleared us to pass and once we slowed Steadfast for a picture at the Harbor Camera and made sure Sheri’s Dad saw us it was out we went.

The most difficult part of the trip Sunday was leaving Nassau as the storm front to the North provided 6 - 8 foot swells that funneled into the entrance. Soon we were clear of that and motor sailing our way into Clifton (or West) Bay. We would occasionally get an ocean swell rocking us but after dinner and sunset all that was needed was sleep!