Saturday, January 22nd
We are going to get high winds today – up to 29 knots so we will stay one more day in the marina. Chance to go one more time to the supermarket, 2 more loads of washing and last showers. The plan is to take off for Highborne Cay tomorrow morning.
Sunday, January 23rd.
It was a bit of a Hobson’s choice. The wind was going to be 15 – 20 knots. Staying in the marina was starting to be expensive. The anchorage was full and a bit dicey. The alternative was to set off and tough the choppy water and wind. We chose the latter and after a bumpy ride (wonderful sail with the engine off - Lynton says) arrived at Highborne Cay late afternoon. There was a nice beach for Buddy’s run and a beautiful scene of Jacob’s Ladders as the sun went down.
Monday, January 24th
We decided to press on as the wind will eventually go south. Not too much protection in Highborne Cay. Another blustery, bumpy ride ending up in an anchorage off an island called ‘Big Major’s Spot’ This is right next to Staniel Cay of ‘Thunderball’ fame. Got into radio contact with Chris & Divia on ‘Maggie M’ on their way to Cambridge Cay. We were not tempted to go there – far too tortuous. The bay at ‘Big Major’s Spot’ is wide and beautiful with no hidden obstacles and the anchoring is good.
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However, when Lynton took Buddy to the beach one of the resident wild pigs tried to get in the dinghy and to get Buddy. This wasn’t the attack pig but then it wasn’t given a chance.
Tuesday, January 25th.
The wind is still very strong. Lynton managed to get the internet and it looks as though, starting Thursday, there will be a window of a few calm days. A bit of boat cleaning was in order. Alfredo and Nicoletta on Jancris stopped by to say hello. The night wind was very strong, the boat rocking and rattling. So once more we had Buddy in bed with us. Fabulous sunset over the adjacent islands though.
Wednesday, January 26th
John and Lynton decided to go over to the Thunderball Grotto at Staniel Cay whilst Rejeanne and I relaxed aboard our respective boats. The boys had a wonderful time – lots of fish to look at.
Lynton had some kind of problem with the engine which had to be attended to.. He replaced a gasket and hopefully, all will be well.
Took a dinghy trip into town and ate lunch at a newish ‘shack type’ restaurant with a lovely view
which served wonderful conch chowder.
The village there was very cute.
With a ‘supermarket’.
That night there was a lot of lightning behind the clouds to the north of us, but we couldn’t hear the thunder. Turns out there was a very bad storm in the West Palm Beach area according to Ira and Ann. Glad it missed us.
Thursday, January 27th
Aiming for Little Farmer’s Cay today which is only 20 miles away, so we don’t have to start off until 9:00 a.m.. The winds were strong so it was a bumpy ride but got to the cay around 1:30 p.m. Tomorrow we will set out for Georgetown.
Started off from Little Farmer’s Cay at 7:00 a.m. Winds were calm until just before the cut into Georgetown when they hit 15 knots. It was a bumpy ride in but we anchored safely not far from the monument on Stocking Island around 3:00 p.m. Celebrated our arrival with a couple of bottles of fizzy with John and Rejeanne. There is a nice beach for Buddy.
Saturday, January 29th
Took a walk over to the beach on the opposite side of the island.
Time to go into town for some more groceries. The prices aren’t too outrageous and they seem to have much more choice than when we were here 9 years ago staying with Geoff and Bunkey. The market provides free R.O. drinking water for boaters (a great plus) and there is no charge for garbage disposal on the government dock.
Sunday, January 30th
Went for a long walk starting with a climb up to the ‘monument’ on Stocking Island that we’re anchored next to. Great views from up there. You can see many of the 200 plus boats that congregate here.
And a bird’s eye view of Incognita at anchor, our home for a while
We then walked down the ocean side of the Island and ended the walk with beer and conch burgers on Hamburger Beach.
The weather, the beaches and the water are beautiful and we now understand why people rave about cruising in the Exumas..
Monday, January 31st
Time for a visit to the local hairdresser’s. She did an excellent job. A trip to the liquor store to pickup Bahamian rums.
The mango rum is just heavenly.
Back to the boat for another lazy afternoon.
Tuesday, February 1st
Another lazy, sunny day. Time to make more bread which takes up the afternoon. As you can tell, it takes a long time to do practically nothing!
Wednesday, February 2nd
Oh! A big outing today over to Volley Ball beach where John and Lynton are taking a course in rope splicing. Rejeanne and I will laze around on the beach.
I don’t think the splicing went too well, but a trip to the restaurant shack “Chat ‘n Chill” for hamburgers and conch burgers respectively was enjoyed by all.
Thursday, February 3rd
Went for a nice long dinghy ride to explore the islands south of Georgetown. John and Lynton went snorkeling. Rejeanne, Buddy and I stayed on a small beach. There were some pieces of old wooden seats strewn around so I used a beach towel over the top of two of them to make a little shelter for Buddy and me.
It was hot!
In the evening, we watched “Big Country”. (I had thoughtfully brought along the DVD, much to Lynton’s chagrin!) John and Rejeanne enjoyed it.
Friday, February 4th
There was a bit of excitement this morning. A few of the boats are anchored very close to the main channel. In fact, some are anchored in the channel. Suddenly, this monster appeared being tugged along. There was much scampering and hauling up of anchors in what one boater later called the “Chinese fire drill”.
Had to put the generator on to charge the batteries so I spent the rest of the day on the computer catching up with our accounting.
Saturday, February 5th
Lynton took Buddy on his daily walk on the beach while I did the washing up and prepared our regular Saturday brekkie. Today is washing day, so we are going to Georgetown. The water is quite calm
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