Back underway on 10/2 southbound. We did not wish to be cold so we went as fast
as possible. We made a stop at River
Dunes Marina due to an approaching hurricane.
While the storm was nothing at River Dunes it gave a chance to really
see the place & it was grand.
We went outside at Southport, NC headed to Charleston. While there we were treated to some antics of
the Charleston Sailing School. It was
great entertainment.
We had a bit of a reunion of sailors at the Charleston Crab
House! The Smiles (Jim & Betsy), The
Divas (Carl & Debbie), The Barefootin's (Bobby & Francie) us and
Homeward Bound(I think.)
We had our usual stop at Beach Marine to see our friend Rob,
friend Julie came to visit & was able to see my old workmate Jo Ann too.
Our friends
from Salty Turtle passed us one day and sent some very good photos of the
boat.
We hoped to get to the Bahamas before Thanksgiving so we
were closely following the weather patterns for an opportunity to cross the
Gulfstream. We arrived in Vero (Velcro!) Beach just after noon on Sunday 11/18
and with the help of our good friend Bill we were able to do the last bank,
grocery, West Marine run in the states!
On Monday the 19th of November at 0830 we departed Vero
Beach via Ft. Pierce inlet Bahama bound.
We cleared Customs the 21st and had our Thanksgiving Turkey
in Marsh Harbour.
The Abacos are about the same temperature as Florida and it
can get chilly so we like to get to Eleuthera as quickly as possible. We had crossed to Royal Island and on to
Spanish Wells by 12/1. We had a
wonderful time with the Ananias's and the Valkyrie's at Buddas for lunch one
afternoon. Soon after we headed south a
bit more to Hatchet Bay.
Imagine our surprise at seeing channel markers! This was something new. OK, there are all triangular but it's a
start.
The blue building is the start of a boatyard going in. We were told that R & B Boatyard in
Spanish Wells is starting a larger operation. We later learned that R & B
has nothing to do with this new operation. Progress!.... Competition!.
Of course Junkanoo preparations were in full swing.
On to Rock Sound before our jump to Cat Island. A few years ago our friends lost their dog
while in Rock Sound. It was a very sad
time but he has a resting spot in beautiful & peaceful spot.
We noticed a structure outside the harbor as we came in and
decided to take a look.
Of course you could buy a fresh Christmas tree for a mere
$160.00! Plus 12%VAT.
Rather than head to the Exumas we decided to return to Cat
Island as we had not been there for a few years. After an extremely rolly night at Little San
Salvador (Half Moon Cay to the cruise ship crowd) we headed to Orange Creek. We decided to go to the grocery to get
some dinner. We tied the dink and were
heading that direction we saw a man cleaning fish. We asked if we could buy one and he told us
they were for a family get together. OK
we thought and said our goodbyes and started on. He called us back & asked which fish we
wanted. We picked one & he said
"That won't budge my scale!" and added another. A wonderful dinner for $7! Thank you Mr. Clark
As we were paying at the grocery store Nora, the owner
looked at me and said you've been here before!
Good to see you, welcome home!
Rob & I were amazed that she remembered us since it has been 4 or 5
years since we were there.
On to the next part....
We also had a visitor by the boat!
More on the next post!
More on the next post!
