Sailing back to Port Lucaya

Due to high winds we stayed in Governor's Harbour for 2 nights. Of course when we're trying to sail back the winds are either gone or from the wrong direction. We did manage to do some sailing with both sails up and the motors off for a while.

Circle of fish herded by sharks?

typical sight, another freighter

Easter Eggs, too much time on my hands.

Most favourite spot.

Least favourite spot.

Took turns keeping watch, fortunately the moon was very bright. On my watch we passed 5 cruise ships and 1 very large freighter. Radar was skewed and what I thought was off to starboard was really straight ahead of us! The freighter turned before hitting us. Apparently he was so close that I should have woken someone up  - oops! I finally got to "drive" for more than a few minutes (the times the guys put the main sail up or down) as we sailed into Bell Channel, Port Lucaya. It took approximately 26 hours to get back.

Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera February 24

Chilly rainy day that just got worse.

Crazy men flyfishing in the downpour.

Junk on anchor

Braved the rain to buy this giant.

Dragged the anchor again, the wind was really really bad and about 6 a.m. tried to reset to no avail, didn't realize the anchor was totally fouled with cabling. Thought it was just seaweed, was too dark to see what it was until after we had already moved around the bay to a calmer safer harbour.

Cape Eleuthera Feb 23

Got up at 3 this morning to make the run over to Eleuthera. Would you believe John said it's too dark, we'll wait awhile. Did he think it would be light at this hour, not to mention it was raining. I might have been a bit cranky. Left at around 5:30 and made excellent time under sail and motor. For a while the sea was like glass, just beautiful and the boat wasn't rocking. At a luxury marina for one night, not much happening, hardly any guests at the resort but we had a few laughs with the staff - very friendly folk, got free ice cream and they have internet for $10. Gerry takes exception to the sunset photo, but that's the way it turned out using the sunset setting on the camera, honest, no photo shopping. Click here for a map of where we are.

Fernandez Bay Cat Island Feb. 22

So here we are on Cat Island, only saw one cat. We anchored in front of a fancy resort where buffet breakfast is $10 (reasonable and plenty) but dinner is $48. Rented a car and were assured we couldn't get lost there are so few roads and the island is small. So of course we did - see photo of car in front of abandoned building a dead end road along the beach. Got our bearings and toured most of the island. Stopped for drinks at the pretty painted building, checked out the bats in the bat cave, took a really bad road to the other side of the island (just to see it, which annoyed John) and had dinner (large plate of fish, salad, fries for $10) at Coconuts. Click here for a map of where we are.

George Town February 20

Click here for a map of where we are.


Made it to George Town the other day and anchored right in front of a place called Chat n Chill, a real happening place across the harbour from George Town. Nothing better than preparing dinner on board with Bahamian music from the bar wafting across the water. Sun is out, temperature low 20s. Leaving for Cat Island soon.

Staniel Cay February 15

New dinghy corral

Purple sponge

Squirrel fish

Arrived here with no misadventures or excitement just quiet motor sailing – winds not favourable enough to run without the motors.




Staniel Cay is home to Thunderball Cave, a unique snorkeling experience and sight of 2 James Bond movies.  Click here for a map of where we are.

Allen's Cay, February 14

Arrived here at 1400, no more anchor woes – caught the first time and didn't budge an inch for 2 nights. We followed the boat Liberty here, same guy who freed our anchor in Nassau. Took a ton of photos of their boat with 2 spinnakers up. Sunny and warm, but not hot enough or water warm enough for me to go in. John dove in for a few minutes and found a few shells, sand dollar and 2 baby conchs (photographed and released). Explored the ruins of a house, fed lettuce to the iguanas and took lots of silly photos and videos. Click here for a map of where we are.

Atlantis

Checked out the amazing aquarium, the grounds and got lost, not being able to find the dinghy for ages LOL.

Nassau Feb 13

Silver Lynx

At the marina

New anchor

When we arrived we had a hell of a time getting the main anchor (a Bruce) to hold so we put out an auxiliary Fortress which did catch on the bottom. We lowered the main and a whole bunch of chain as well even though it had not grabbed hold of anything. That night a terribly loud noise woke me up. I dragged myself out of bed to investigate since it seemed no one else had woken up and much to my horror we were now right next to another boat (Silver Lynx) and swinging way too close to it. The auxiliary anchor had let go and the main had grabbed hold! Now what? We had to weigh anchor and try to reset. This time however the anchor would not budge! The short story is that we rafted up to our friendly neighbours from South Africa for the night and took turns staying up (3rd night in a row) just in case both boats broke loose. The next day a friendly chap came round in his dinghy and offered to dive down to see what was holding the anchor. Turned out to be a pile of cement blocks that had kept us from crashing into any other boats last night. As you can see the boat is now in a marina but we got lots of sleep despite the high winds – 35 knots and up – because we knew we wouldn't be dragging any anchors. The marina ($2 per foot + water + electricity) is packed, as many others didn't want to count on their anchors either. Today a new Danforth anchor was installed. Click here for a map of where we are.

Leaving tomorrow morning for Allen's Cay.

Potter's Cay

Under the bridge to Atlantis is a little area called Potters Cay, lined with shacks selling fish, conch, beer, fruit and veggies – a real Bahamian hang out. Checkers is the main game here not dominoes. We took the dinghy over and bought some tomatoes and lobster. The guy kissing me is my new beau – he claims he knows me from Freeport!!!

Another Sailing Adventure - February 8 - 27, 2010

Left Port Lucaya on 1010 (click here for map) at 17:45 first stop the Berry's.









Anchored between Hoffman's and Devil Cay. Click here for a map.


Devil's Cay aptly named - we had a hell of a time getting the anchor to stay put - up at 2:30 a.m. to reset! Photo is John and Gerry perusing the anchor locker.


February 10 - Approaching Nassau - wasn't in our plan to go here but that's the way the wind is blowing so why not?