Farewell Bahamas

We have sadly left George Town Bahamas.

On Wednesday May 1, we hauled up the anchor with 3 other boats, Claude, on Barn Owl a 45ft Ferro-cement  ketch, Wendy and Dave, on Simple Life, a 47ft Gulf Star, and Herman, on White Wing, a 45 Ft. Freedom. All us are sailing towards, Luperon, to sit out Hurricane season. Our flotilla had scheduled to make its first stop at Rum Cay.

On our way out of Georgetown, Dave on Simple life got a fish on the line, a large mackerel, we were hoping for a fish dinner that night. Soon after the fish was put in the cooler we got an invite, we couldn’t wait. As we got close to our destination, a large pod of dolphins came out to welcome us. There must have been about 50 of them. They were swimming under keel, darting to both sides of the boat, and jumping out of the water directly in front of us. Soon after we arrived in Rum Cay, a beautiful anchorage, but very rolly. We were happy to celebrate our first night with friends, especially when they provide the main course. We all brought a side dish.

 

After an uncomfortable night, we called each other for weather reports. The next day was going to be gusting winds and rain. White Wing and Simple life decided they wanted to do 130 miles to Mayaguana.  Claude and the two of us thought we were not in that much of a hurry; we would like to stop in some of the Cays on our way not to, sail overnight, and into the next day. So the group separated, Claude and us decided to go to Clarence Town about 30 miles away. We got there by noon and enjoyed the water the beach, and lots of turtles and large Barracudas in the anchorage, and huge hamburgers at the marina pub. During the night a storm came up with high winds and heavy rain right into the morning. We decided weather was too unsettled, so we stayed the day, had fun collecting water and doing our laundry in the rain. What a great day!

 We were worried about our friends on the ocean in the bad weather with a 24 hour crossing. We were very happy when we got a sailmail, which is an Email sent through the radio, telling us they made it. They were exhausted and Herman lost his steering, and had to get out his emergency tiller. They arrived around 3pm on Friday.

On Saturday we headed for Landrail Point in the Crooked Islands an anchorage with a beautiful deserted beach, Approx. 40 miles away. The wind changed direction, the swells increased, and we spent all night rolling and banging. Not so good!!!!!!

In the morning it took us a while to get the anchor up. We sailed to Attwood Harbour in the Acklins. About 45 miles, then in behind a reef, we set our anchor between 2 mega yachts. We were all set to head over to Claude’s boat for a Barbeque when another mega yacht showed up and decided to anchor beside us. We watched on as they struggled to release an anchor that would not go down. Finally after 5 deck hands played with it, down it went it was very exciting to watch the captain hold the boat still between us and the other boat.  We rowed over to Claude’s boat, our dinghy motor died the night we left George Town. It will have to wait to Luperon to see if it can be fixed. So Tutty now rows everywhere.

Next day we headed out to Mayaguana, 60 miles away, there was no wind, the ocean was like glass. We saw pilot whales dancing beside our boat. There must have been at least 20 of them; we could not believe our luck. We have seen so much ocean life. It is very exciting to see them swim so gracefully, they come so close to the boat to have a look.  Life is Good!!!!!  Anchored for the night, too tired to eat, we had a sundowner and toasted farewell to the Bahamas.

Next morning up at 5 again, while leaving, we noticed hundreds of star fish on the way out of the anchorage. The water was so clear. Next stop, Turks and Caicos, 60nm away. Light winds on the nose, but we put up the sail and headed south. We arrived on the Caicos bank at 1500 hrs. and had to slow right down because of coral heads everywhere. I was standing on the pulpit, directing Tutty through the coral and rocks. By the time we were anchored it was after 1700 hrs. We have made landfall in another country. Put up our quarantine flag and tomorrow we will check into the country. Claude, from Barn Owl came over and we had a little celebration. We will stay here till a weather window opens, because of the trade winds, it will be our most difficult crossing 130 nm . to our resting place for hurricane season, in Luperon.