We kept an eye to the sky as we headed out of Salt Pond for a seven hour trip to Georgetown. Once out of the harbor at Thompson Bay/Salt Pond with the storm threat diminishing we set our sails (we are getting good at this) and followed the course marked on the charts.
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| The beauty of a boat under sail and under clouds that reflect the waters light blue |
We have been told that by staying on these chart lines between islands we should have little concern for shallows or coral heads. After weeks of being at the smaller family islands, where at times the 3 of us were the majority, this was going to be a major change. Underway I received news from Carl that there was an accident the night before at Stocking Island where a larger power boat that shuttles people around to different venues had struck a dinghy killing a man on the dinghy. As we sailed into the southern cut we were just brushed by some rain. Putting sails away we chose an anchorage against Stocking Island to protect us from the easterly winds. I was exhausted and Sheri was not able to raise me from my necessary nap so she went with Chris and Allison to explore the beach.
The rain woke me as I ran around closing hatches and wiping up water. Thankfully Sheri left a note so I joined the group on the beach. We radioed Dave and Shelley who upon not finding a suitable spot at Stocking went a couple of miles south to the next island.
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| Even the ray is chill as he brushes my foot |
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| Everyone looks for their home or close to it |
We took our 3 dinghies a mile north on Stocking to the Chat and Chill beach bar. This was a fun looking spot with music, a volleyball area and a lot of beach to enjoy. I could not help but think of the accident the prior night and that it happened close by and you could sense it cast a pall over the area. We returned to Purrfect to wind the late afternoon away.
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| The water rushes in with the tide to a full dinghy dock |
Around 730 am on Friday 3/13 we moved Steadfast the 1.5 nm to Kidd’s Cove near the entrance of Lake Victoria Georgetown. This location made it easier to head in for laundry and to get water in the containers. Water is easier for cruisers to get cause you never leave your dingy. Filling RO water from a dock hose means no lugging containers around. I was just finishing the last of the water when Sheri returned to the dock. I had also found a floating handheld radio in the open water that needed to be dealt with.
We loaded the water and laundry onto the boat and were joined by our cruising buddies in their dinghies and we returned to the dock to shop and look about for a couple of minutes. Our plan was to return to steadfast tie all the dinghies to the stern and motor over to the Goat Cay South anchorage. From there David could get the 3rd 4d house battery he needed and we could all have late lunch/early dinner at Splash Grill at the Palm Bay Resort.
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| We got the boat as close as possible and the dinghy tiptoed the remainder |
While at the beach we provided tools and materials to another cruiser who had a broken pull start rope on his dinghy engine. His dog would do this Tasmanian devil thing if he was patted/scratched. His tail was wagging and he was very happy.
Dave returned quickly with his battery and we all enjoyed pizza, burgers and beer as we were entertained by a couple of tipsy Arkansas gals.
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| Notice some extra Arkansas pizzazz |
Since the tide had gone out I carefully followed the track I made when coming in and we made it with inches to spare. I had given up going to the music festival because the music started at 8pm, the rough 1.5 crossing conditions and the dangerous nighttime boating practices. We retired with plans to head out in the AM.
Up and away on Saturday 14th with the only regret being the radio I found. While heading out we were listening to the well run cruisers radio announcements and heard a boater on Sailatude report losing a radio. Another boater on the net pointed them to the Georgetown Facebook post Allison had placed for me and before long plans were made to meet them in Staniel Cay Thursday.
Today again we sail straight and quickly to Rat Cay Cut. I was headed towards the wrong opening and as we were questioning it Perrfect called to question it as well. Though we all agreed we would have been able to get in that opening going through the correct one was very easy and beautiful. We headed for the anchorage between Lee Stocking and Williams but because it was so crowded and not very deep we all settled on the southern end of the harbor.
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| Sheri liked seeing the kids dinghy skiing |
We had already talked with Debi on River Rat and soon Carl happened by with Jim from Albamere. We had an invite for all to River Rat at 430 and a recommendation for snorkeling at the Tug and Barge island’s nearby. The snorkeling was great and once showered it was off to Carl and Debi’s for a great gathering.
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| Jim from Albamere talks with Chris and Allison |
The crowd winded down but we stayed and talked till it was apparent the crew was more than done. Back on Steadfast we spent an hour in our chairs on the bow enjoying the stars and gentle breezes...part II to follow...
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