Northward

Well the time has come to really head north.  But first…..

We went to Snappa’s to see Brown Tip but just like the Island Roots Festival – he was a no show!  T-Time played and was great.  He was the person playing when the waterspout hit at the IRHF.  There was a lot of audience participation and Rob won a Junkanoo hat!  Of course I did not have the camera with, but it is him! 

After the last minute stuff we headed up to Guana Cay to spend the night & hit Grabbers one last time.  Ran into Matt & Brittany from Great Mysterious and they had great news… they sold the boat!  They were planning to upon their return to the states but a local bought it.  After some sundowners and conch fritters we offered to carry back any heavy things.  2 big bags of books are now onboard.  That is good as they would have cost a fortune to ship! 

The next day it was on to Green Turtle Cay.  We decided to anchor in White Sound this time and had a ball!  We were very lucky as the anchorage was deserted when we arrived so we were able to set the hook quite nicely!  The next day the place really filled up.  The “anchoring dance” is always fun in the afternoons!  The people are really funny – except for the cursing & shouting.  One couple had what we call “marriage savers”, head mounted walkie-talkies and they were still screaming at one another.  Why bother??  Rob & I have a set of hand signals and not one of them involves a single finger!

We went to the settlement and walked about, rather difficult with my feet right now, ordered up some coconut bread from Sid’s Grocery for Wednesday and hit Pineapples for lunch.  All in all a great day!  When Wednesday rolled around Rob went back into town to do our last provision & pick up the bread and they had sold it!!!!  They said that a woman came in alone & asked for coconut bread so they assumed it was Holly!  How cheeky!  Luckily Rob went down to McIntosh’s Restaurant & Bakery and they had some fresh from the oven!  We first heard about McIntosh's coconut bread from our buddies Mike & Frankie 12 years ago.  This stuff is fantastic!  It makes wonderful toast & the best French toast you have ever eaten.  I should not eat it …. just glue it to my hips!

We decided to treat ourselves so we went to the Green Turtle Club for prime rib!  Haven’t had any really good red meat in a very long time and it was well worth it!  The following day our friends Bobby & Francie from Barefootin’ arrived so it was off to see the Gully Roosters and again we had a blast.

It was with a heavy heart that we said our farewells this morning.  I already miss those guys.  As I am watching the Bahamas go past as we wind our way towards Foxtown I cannot help but be blue.  But like Rob said…. “If you don’t leave, how can you come back?”

Our plan is to stay at Foxtown tonight (Thursday 5/16) head to Great Sale Friday and leave at O’dark thirty on Saturday morning.  At first we planned to head to Charleston as we usually do but between my feet, no autopilot and the monitor not working well with the new sails we may just head to Florida.  Time will tell!  It takes us about 60 hours to get to Charleston.

We have gotten spoiled with the Zoom Card and BATELCO’s 4G internet this year and we may have trouble acclimating back to our Bullet antenna but once we hit the US we will turn on our American cell and shut off the Bahamian one.

     Holly & Rob                                                  T-Time

                    Junkanoo Rushout at the Island Roots Heritage festival

Later!

Holly & Rob

 

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Pardon my typos!  I should really proof before I post!

Island roots Heritage Festival–NOT Heading North Yet

This year we went to Green Turtle Cay for the Festival.  After picking up a mooring in B;lack Sound we prepared for the opening on Friday @ noon.  As with a lot in the Bahamas it was a bit slow on opening with the vendors still setting up their artworks/crafts & food about 1:30.  The skies had been threatening rain since midday and finally they opened up!  There were tents and picnic tables so everyone side.  It was actually kind of fun!  The school kids were having a blast.  After about 45 minutes the skies cleared, the food & drink was ready and the fun really began. 

We walked about and looked at the local creations.  These ladies really are talented!  Had a “Gully Wash” aka Sky Juice aka Gin & Coconut Water – it really is better than it sounds – and kept an eye on the sky.

The Bahamian Police Force Band helped open the ceremonies and they are always a treat!

 

There was also a Plaiting of the Maypole done by the local kids.  After they were finished they grabbed guests from the crowd & Rob & I were both chosen!  It is a lot harder than it looks but a great deal of fun.

We were lucky enough to catch up with your friends Stew & Diana and had a wonderful visit!

There was so much to do!  The entertainment was fantastic.  On Friday as we were walking into town a nice Bahamian man offered us a ride on his golf cart. As we chatted we discovered that his name was Eddie Minnis & he was a bit of a local celebrity.  He told us he would be performing on Saturday and he was so entertaining we bought a couple of CD’s!

There was also a conch horn contest that I had planned on entering but as with a lot of things it was not to be.  There was a competition for the juniors and as a few young men were without conch horns I gladly offered up mine!

Now some of you may remember that we were in Hampton, VA when the tornado came through last June 1st.  It was not fun, we took a knockdown & lots of damage and it is something neither of us would like to repeat.  Can you imagine how we felt when we looked up and saw a water spout???  It was over ocean but heading our way.  To reach New Plymouth Settlement (where we were) it would have to pass over Black Sound which is where Hampshire Rose sat on a mooring.

                            Water Spout over water then land at Black Sound

The festival was quickly closed down and we all headed to the church – a stone building.  Not sure what we would find we decided to head back to the boat.  It was funny that all of the boat owners located in Black Sound were headed in the same direction. The spot turned back over land and caused damage to a few homes but no boats were effected. 

As usual, we do not wish to return to the US and since our immigration is good till the end of May we have decided to stay a bit longer.  After the festival we went back around the Whale cay passage and returned to Marsh Harbour.  After 1 night there we headed out to some old haunts of Tahiti Beach & Cracker P’s.  Tonight being Thursday we have decided to head back to Marsh to see Brown Tip.  Yes -  the man who cleaned the boat bottom also plays Rake & Scrape!  Tonight he is at Snappa’s and we will be too!  After that we will get some fuel & water and start to slowly meander towards Great Sale Cay.  We figure that will take 7-10days!

Later!

Heather & Fred, Pete & Jane

 

Rosie dressed up!Heather - Beautiful Bride!

The wedding was a beautiful affair.  I have a whole album of photos for the bride & groom.  The bride arrived by boat and was greeted by the blowing of a conch horn to “pipe” her off the boat.  The Firefly resort did an outstanding job on everything from the location to the dinner!  Great job folks.    If you find yourself on Elbow Cay – It is the place to go.  The same folks who started the Firefly distillery – Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka – own it.  If you have never tried the Sweet Tea, you should.  It really does taste like SC Sweet tea!

The day after the Wedding our friends Pete & Jane from Florida joined us for 10days.  This is the very first time we have had guests and it was a blast.  The 4 of us are already planning next years visit.  The weather Gods gave us some liquid sunshine (rain) but not too much and the wind was fair for 99% of the visit.  Pictures probably tell it best:

Pete & Jane @ the top of the lighthouse in Hopetown

Hopetown architecture

Fun at Nippers!

It was busy time!  Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay, Great Guana/Grabbers/Nippers, Hopetown, Tahiti Beach/Cracker P’s, Little Harbour/Pete’s Pub then back to Marsh all in 10 days.  They probably need a vacation from their vacation!  We really hated to see them go.  Next will be the Island Roots Festival.

Spanish Wells & North

There is one thing I can truly say…. I am NOT one of those people who is tethered to the internet!  You can see that by the long periods of time between my posts.

So much has happened!  We left Hatchet a few weeks back to head north for Heather & Fred’s wedding.  We decided to stop @ Spanish Wells as we had not visited in 10+ years.  So much has changed & stayed the same as well.  It is definitely more developed with a lot more cars & people but it still has its charm too.

 

Spanish Wells home                                     This was a restaurant 10 years ago

I always say that a day without dolphins is a day without sunshine and here are a few keeping us company along with Liberty Clipper.

Next it was on to Firefly for the wedding of some friends.  Since none of you will know Heather or Fred let me just say that they are great & we were honored to be part of their special day. Thanks Guys!  I could write a whole section on the fun we had but another time!

Next time I’ll write about the visit of Pete & Jane and the Island Roots Heritage Festival!  Bye