Part 2 to do

Sunday March 15

 

The iguanas watch us carefully 

Plans had been made prior to the party breaking up yesterday for a dinghy trip to Leaf Cay to see the iguanas and to look for Sea beans. Also I was passing the word of a beach fire at 6pm. Seven dinghies headed out but Dave and Shelly had engine issues and decided to turn back.The iguanas were, as always, very interesting but no sea beans. Some of the group headed around Norman’s Pond Cay as Chris and I went snorkeling nearby and Allison and Sheri stayed on a small beach. Not a lot to see but this was the second time a 3’+ barracuda followed close to me. People always say they don’t attack however I am never 100% sure.

 

 

Back to Steadfast then out to collect firewood. We included a short walk up the hill and to the ocean side. The contrast is spectacular with stone cliffs and waves. After dinner and shower we are on the beach by 6 pm. There was already a crowd however they were sitting away from the fire area and were a different group. We invited them to stay but they had to depart and soon there was people arriving and departing with introductions aplenty. 

Sometimes you have to work for the picture

Thanks to Marshelle and Purrfect we had plenty of firewood and a great fire. Music, conversation and laughter made for a great time. We knew we would be leaving our buddy boats in the morning so we said our goodbyes on the beach and headed to our homes.🙋‍♂️
Monday the 16th anchor up at 830 and after a penalty turn and horn salute for Purrfect and Marshelle we headed out of the anchorage third in a line of 6 boats. I had planned to follow Carl through the shallows but he was a bit behind. I found myself overhearing an exchange of soundings from the first boat, a cat, to a monohull who was right before us. They led the way and soon we glided out to the ocean and shortly the faster cats (River Rat and Lord Charlton) passed and led us into Rudder Cut where I anchored about a half mile south of the group in front of a large amphitheater cave on Rudder Cut Cay. An island owned by David Copperfield.

Next comes lunch deep in the amphitheater cave and looking out at steadfast...  cool. John and Leanne from Lord Charlton (each of their last names) joins us then Deb and Carl. We talk a bit then off to see what the richest magician  does with his money. I am diving down to touch a mermaid leaning on a piano bench in front of a grand piano. The piano keys don’t work...
Dinghy tour follows as we hunt the shallows for turtles, rays and sharks.

Then on the way to look at Faith Hill and Tim McGraw’s house I have to avoid a speeding high speed police boat. We zipped back to the boat to clean up for a gathering at John and Leanne’s boat.

 

 

This was fun and crazy though I tried, my salsa dancing did not improve and we left assured our blood would not freeze.
In the morning of the 17th as we sailed away for Black Point we overheard comments on how someone ended up in the dingy then the water. A great sail was followed by a fast 9.5 knot entrance into Dothan Cut. We anchored on the NE lee side near a future marina and fuel dock and went to town on a mission. Landing at the town dock we marveled at the sharks that lazed in the shallows under boats and docks. These nurse sharks are graceful but a lot less threatening than many other sharks.

The proud owner of a Bahamian C class racing sloop

 

 We deposited our trash and the 2.00 fee in the box welded to the overloaded trash trailer and happy to be rid of the smell! John and Leanne, our hosts for the prior night, were already returning with groceries and fresh bread from Loraines mother. We exchanged thoughts for plans later that night and we went on our way to locate bread and more water for our return to Florida.



We located a water source that had stairs to a beach so I can easily get enough water to fill the port tank. Next to the laundromat and it had its own dock. We located a restaurant that was serving corned beef and cabbage tonight since it’s St Patrick’s Day and had a NE Patriots banner. We met Lorraine’s daughter who was a true fan...that is until Tom left the team. Now she’s a fan of the bucks.

  

It was still warm enough to melt butter with  a center wedge of sweet coconut 

Next-door to the restaurant was Lorraine‘s mothers bakery where we ordered, standing at her kitchen counter, a loaf of coconut and coconut raisin bread that would be cooled enough by 3pm. We walked around the village and located the place to get propane and a place to get a Kalik mango which was very refreshing on a hot afternoon.

 
Regardless of what it looks like it tasted like...

I think my mouth dropped when Lorraine was introducing the buffet said corn beef salad. Was that Spamish substance supposed to meet the holiday requirement. Not. We dined with four other boaters and talked between tables about many things. We got a couple of cruiser nets on the SSB radio from Ron and Dee Clause on Ursa Minor to listen to and join up with. These will prove to be a good source of information as the weeks pass and we become more isolated in a foreign country.

The 18th was set aside for laundry, filling water tanks and shopping but no propane yet (by 3 when the ship comes in) so I leave the tank. We are not out of propane but if we have to quarantine for two weeks upon return I want to be ready. Those tasks take a good portion of the day and when completed we move the boat to a more wind friendly anchorage at Regatta point that also has the restaurant that provides propane refills.

 

Look closely to see our low hanging anchor light over the enclosure 

That night we go ashore to pick up the propane (now tomorrow morning it will be ready) and watch a beach bonfire while we enjoy 2 for 1 rum punch. I was even able to live stream the action for Barb and Dave in Maine. It is nice to stay connected!

Anchored conveniently off Emerald Sunset View Restaurant