Found our way into Marsh Harbour after a nice sail, went to
the Conch Inn for diesel then dropped the hook.
We decided that since today was Valentine's Day that we would not try to
buck the crowds for dinner out. Andiamo,
Gino & Carolyn had arrived prior to us so after we were settled it was on
with the shore clothes & off we went.
Many things have changed in Marsh Harbour since our first
trip in December 2002. Most for the
good, but not all. There were 3 viable
grocery stores that provided healthy competition. Now there are 2 but they are owned by the
same parties! It really is funny what
you recall when showing a place you like to newcomers. The main purpose of the trip ashore was to
get Andiamo to Batelco as they needed a phone.
With that done we were off to Snappa's for a beer. Gino & Carolyn kept insisting that they
take us out for dinner for "all you have done"????? Hey guys, it was
fun! But the next evening the 4 of us
went to Colors By the Sea for drinks & appys. We had a wonderful time with these folks and
there is no doubt in my mind that they will adapt to the cruising life quite
well. It was kind of sad to say 'see ya'
the next day but off to Lynyard Cay we went to stage for the crossing to
Eleuthera.
It turned out to be a motor/sail day and we arrived in Royal
Island close to sunset to be the 2nd boat there. Moira was the other boat with Larry &
Susan aboard. We touched base on the
Doodah (SSB) net at 5:30 but since we were tired after a 50+ mile day it was
dinner & bed for us.
We got underway 2/18 around 0730 to go through Current
Cut. I've written of this passage
previously and it is much better if you have the current with you & not
against you. That we did.
My last posting I wrote of Sam, the veteran in the
wheelchair in WPB. Prior to our leaving
he was gone for another couple of days.
It seems that some jerk reported him to the police who then told him he
was banned from the dock. He asked us to
write an email to the city manager on his behalf. We couldn't find an email address at WPB.org
but there was a contact us page. We
wrote a nice message explaining all of the reasons we like West Palm and
included the fact that we really appreciated Sam's help on the dock. When we got email when we arrived in the
Bahamas there was a message from 4Aces that included a different email for a
councilwoman and the fact that there was a meeting scheduled between her &
Sam on Valentine's Day. The meeting was
successful! We received another message
from Marlene (4Aces) that Sam is now the Volunteer Dock Master for WPB and she
is having yellow shirts made that declare that for Sam! Over 100 emails were sent in support of Sam. Well
done Councilwoman Ryan!
From Royal Island we made our way to Hatchet Bay. Wonderful times at Da Spot & managed to
see our friend the stone crab fisherman and he hooked us up as usual! I was going to take a picture of the
claws......but we ate them!
On to Governors Harbour where we caught up with Larry & Annette
of Island Breeze. The Fish Fry on Friday
night was a hoot with terrific food & Rhum Bubbas. We asked what was in them but got standard
"If I tell ya, then I gotta kill ya!" response! We also stopped into Ronnie's Hi-D-Way for a
$3.00 Kalik and had a wonderful visit with our friend Dr. Seabreeze. He is an interesting fellow and a local
musician. We have a few of his CD's.
Island Breeze & Hampshire Rose decided to head to South Palmetto Point for pizza at Mate & Jennie's. Their Conch Pizza is supposed to be the best! Rob has had it years ago when I was in Port St. Lucie, but they have been out of conch every time I have been. Well, I was not destined to have it this time either. The prevailing winds made the anchorage quite rolly so we went a few more miles to Ten Bay.
They were on a bit of a mission as they had to make a
delivery all the way on Long Island and then be back in Marsh Harbour in mid
march for guests. That is a long
way! Check it out on Bahamas.com.
We stayed the following day in Ten Bay and met some really
nice vacationers from Kansas. 
No green flash!
From there we went to Rock Sound for a few days and had a
wonderful visit with my friend Merionetta Hall.
Once again the restaurant know as 4 Points, then Wild Orchids is now
Frigates Bar & Grill. Great news
though. The Chef/Owner we met last year
when she had Frigates at Davis Harbour Marina and she is also Sammy's
daughter! Anyone who has been to
Eleuthera has probably been to Sammy's Restaurant. It is an institution!
We are currently underway from Eleuthera to the Exuma
chain. The Over Yonder Cay cut looked pretty good so
in we came. There is some 'nasty squally
weather' headed this way so we have hunkered down behind Rat Cay in Pipe Creek,
This is the resort at Over Yonder Cay. I think the going rate is $25K a week.
More later!
