Thursday, January 3, 2013

Week 13: Dec. 26, 2012- Jan. 1, 2013 (Day 85-91)


Week 13:

Wed. Dec. 26, 2012—Day 85:
Destination:  Warderick Wells
Winds:   S 5-10K

Weather:  glorious, warm sunny with scattered clouds, H= 82F, L=70F

Location of Christmas Feast--Warden's House
We rose this morn for some weather report on SSB 4045 at 0630hrs. but Ed was not loud enough to understand; no other reports heard.  There was a large exodus of boats to mostly places close by from here to Staniel Cay.  The enclosure windows were washed from the saltiness from the salt just in the air & wind.  We dinghied to the office to pay Jen for today’s stay.  Also for our internet problems she gave us a new username & password free of charge for “ECLSP”; we sat outside the office & caught up on emails (50+), then we dinghied over to The Rangers Garden, between the headquarters & Narrow Water Cay.  After lunch we dinghied to a sandbar exposed at low tide just slightly west of our mooring location, to the dock by Fuel Cay (apparently some good snorkeling there), then to Emerald Rock, the many sand beaches & trails on Warderick Wells, passed Emerald Rock (South) mooring field & anchorage to Beryl’s Beach.  On our way home later in the afternoon we stopped in at ‘Truansea’ & made tentative plans for departure & our destination including options for the next few days; I guess exploring Hawksbill Cay has to wait again.  We were all aiming to be in Staniel Cay Fri. or Sat. till New Years & the celebrations & because a cold front is approaching Sunday afternoon.  I had internet for good while again this evening.  A most lovely sunset with red rays radiating out like the spokes on a bike.  As the night progressed, a light cloud cover moved in, although the near full moon was still visible.  It remained very warm & muggy; in fact when I stepped out into the cockpit it was like stepping into dense fog, but it was the enclosure windows that were so heavily laden with moisture. 


Thurs. Dec. 27, 2012—Day 86:

Destination:  Warderick Wells  to Cambridge Cay
Departure:  1120 hrs.                              Arrival:   1355 hrs.                      Distance:  13.81 NM (chart)
Winds:  NW to N <5K                                                           Seas:  clam, no chop, flat to ripples
Weather:  not really nice lookingà heavy grey clouds especially to the S & SW, few sprinkles of rain now & then

Sunset at Cambridge Cay
The Gang
There was a light rain shower just enough to have to close the hatches & ports at 0600 hrs.; it was welcomed “to clean the decks”.  And it was time to get up anyways to see if we could hear any weather reports.  SSB was too scratchy; later Christine (‘Turansea’) gave us what she heard.  I still had internet so was able to send an email I forgot to send last night & was able to connect to Wind Alert & get the weather, wind & sea report for the next 7 days; despite the appearance of the sky this am, the wind report was O.K. but a front was expected to approach later Sun. through to Tues.  ‘Truansea’ & ourselves planned to travel together till Staniel Cay.  Our 0800 hrs. departure was postponed till the sporadic rains & threatening clouds passed.  We finally said our goodbyes & thanks at 1120 hrs.; check out time was 1200 hrs.  Quite a number of boats seen out on the horizon moving both north & south; seems a lot of boats heading to Staniel Cay now & over the next 1-2 days.  But it was a motorboat ride with barely a ripple on the water.  Even without sun it was possible to see bottom 20 ft. below.  Our 1st thought was to go somewhere about Pipe Creek but being ultra conservative cautious because of the questionable approach with very shallow water especially coming into low tide, the decision was to go to Cambridge Cay.   Upon our arrival there were 3 other boats; later a catamaran picked up a mooring ball.  We dropped our dinghies.  ‘Truansea’ snorkeled the Coral Gardens (saw a sea turtle), airplane wreck, & even the caves at Dundas Rock.  We went across Conch Cut, across the west & south shore of Compass Cay trying to make sense of the marked passage to the marina (nicely protected hole), then around to the area accessed best from Joe Cay Cut.  Of course the water was so flat, even the Atlantic by the look of things, all the Exuma Cuts were probably easy passages.  The skies were clearing.  Mark & Christine & the boys invited us for a pizza supper; Christine made the base crust & spread the pizza sauce on each, then we all added our own toppings & then they were baked in the BBQà yum, yum!  We played 3 hands of cards (Go Fish).  A lovely sunset, humid & much condensation on everything.  The water surface was like glass.  A bright moon light the clear night sky; and for that reason the abundance of stars were not as noticeable, but they were certainly there.

Fri. Dec. 28, 2012—Day 87:
Destination:  Cambridge Cay to Staniel Cay, Big Majors Anchorage by Pigs Beach
Departure:  0820 hrs.                    Arrival:  1145 hrs.                                Distance:
Winds:  E 10K+ or - & S 10K at night                           Seas:  nothing to speak of
Weather:  superb, magnificent sun, blue sky, scattering of clouds & aqua water

Ray & Nurse Sharks
A most calm & peaceful night.  No SSB reception this am.  We pulled the dinghy & engine up & departed to the Exuma Banks, while ‘Truansea’ exited Conch Cut into Exuma Sound.  We both sailed close hauled at about 5.4K & arrived at our destination at about the same time.  I didn’t see much of the trip as I was down below charging phones & on the inverter charging my netbook, toothbrush, camera battery & finally I got my Microsoft Word program working so I could write the last 2 days’ events of my journal.  ‘Truansea’ went to Staniel Cay Yacht Club & filled with water & fuel & relayed back to us that there were 4 boats anchored at the Grotto, so Graeme went directly to Big Majors Anchorage off of Pigs Beach & we anchored in 10 ft. of water with 80 ft. of chain; lots of boats in this anchorage as we suspected.  We launched the dinghy & engine; Graeme filled the boat’s front water tank with water from 3 jerry cans & switched to the rear water tank just ‘cause + emptied 1 diesel jerry can in the boat tank, while I lazily laid on the deck reading.  Sometime after 1600 hrs. we dinghied all the way around to SCYC for a drink, watched the nurse sharks & rays feeding on the remains of the cleaning of lobsters & took into watching the golf tournament on the beach (all part of Christmas Week activities), meeting up with some people we met at Warderick Wells.  Just as the sun was about to set we started dinghing back home, stopping to see if we would have a  green flash at sunset, but no.  The sky though harboured a red hue for the longest time.  It was slightly choppy at anchor tonight.  And officially it was full moon tonight.  Despite the number of boats anchored with their anchor lights & Christmas lights, in conjunction with the number of mega yachts, their lights + their underwater lighting, the stars were glistening in a nearly clear sky.

Sat. Dec. 29, 2012—Day 88:  
Destination:  Staniel Cay
Winds:  S 5K
Weather:  very warm, sunny, blue skies & few clouds that at noon increased to thin cover that gave us welcomed shelter from the hot sun while walking in town

Staniel Yacht Club rental Cottages

A goodly breeze came up last evening & stayed with us throughout the night; everything still felt damp but the breeze made it more doable.  No SSB again this am, but Graeme discovered that the fine tuning button was not doing much, so did some problem solving & discovered the SSB button was not on & P9 also was not up on the screen; we will check out the corrections in the am.  The weather we received from June on ‘Blue Yonder’ at Staniel Cay on VHF 16à12 at 0800 hrs. stated that the cold front was still on course for late Sun. & Mon. with improving conditions on Tues. & supposedly not as bad as 1st predicted; let’s hope!  The Mailboat had arrived this morning (days late apparently) with fresh fruits & vegetables & supplies.  The Blue Wing Grocery store announced on VHF that they would open until 1130 hrs.  Just as we were preparing to go ashore Gail & Eric (‘Viking’s Dream’) kayaked up; we quickly learnt of their travels after separating at Fraser’s Hog Cay.  They recommended West End on New Providence as a good anchorage.  We landed the dinghy on shore behind the man-made rock breakwater.  A number of us walked to Blue Wing (still pricing) & Pink Pearl (coconut bread $6.00, tomato, & green bananas, total= $9.00) Grocery stores.  Bread can be ordered & purchased at the yellow house as you walk to these 2 grocery stores & in front of the police station.  The group walked to Isles General Store (by the airstrip & bridge over a creek) which had more of a selection of fresh fruits & vegetables & an assortment of sliced bread & buns & steak ($4.50 each).  We walked back looking to eat at a local spot but they were closed on weekends, so Staniel Cay Yacht Club it was; food was good but probably more expensive that the other joints.  We ate & talked with Louiselle & Ken who apparently we passed on the Cape Fear River before Southport.  We also met Gail & Eric again & Phyllis & Tom ( Krogan 42-Cocoon ll) who we met 2 years ago from Tofino, B.C.  They said that Sampson Cay Marina may be under different management & in any case the restaurant is closed & no $2.00 Tuesdays last year; a pity.  I did purchase internet for $10.00 for a 24 hr. period but will have to use it on land as I have poor reception in Big Majors anchorage.  ‘Truansea’ dinghied back after their snorkeling excursion with 2 lobster, 1 squirrel fish & 1 good size conch; have a great feast guys!  Clouds accumulated in the west, so the sunset was obscured but the sky afterwards was quite red.  A couple of people in the anchorage blew their conch horns at sunset, a Bahamian custom, of cruisers at least.  The thought was to return to shore for the Pirates Party at 1900 hrs. at SCYC but we didn’t like the thought of dinghing all that distance back home in the dark.  A calm evening & the night sky was filled with a full moon, stars & some cloud.

Sun. Dec. 30, 2012—Day 89:
Destination:  Staniel Cay
Winds:  SWàNWàN & NE suddenly & quickly 17-20K + gusts         Seas:  1 ft. chop
Weather:  cloudy but by mid am blue skies & sun

Bougainvilla
A little rolly before dawn as the wind direction changed to the west.  Suddenly at 0730 hrs. the winds quickly clocked to NW to N & slightly NNE in the afternoon & just as quickly increased in speed; this was a quick moving cold front according to the weather report from ‘Blue Yonder’ but it seemed that it had arrived earlier than predicted.  The northern winds of the cold front kicked up whitecaps on the crests of the chop for the rest of the morning & persisted all afternoon, evening & through the night.  Some boats left & new ones arrived.  The SCYC was holding its auction between 1500-1800 hrs. with free food, as long as it lasted, & free drinks to raise money for the New Years festivities.  We had planned to attend but the long dinghy ride, especially coming back, would have been very wet.  Also in question was the BBQ’ing of our steaks for tonight’s dinner; unfortunately too windy.  So today was a day of reading on board, watching the weather & the movement of boats at anchor.  The setting sun was again blocked by clouds followed by only a slight pink hue to the sky.  Moon, stars, some clouds & howling winds which always seem more eerie at night filled the sky tonight.

Mon. Dec. 31, 2012—Day 90:
Destination:  Staniel Cay
Winds:  E 18-23K, decreased to 12-15K but with gusts of 20-25K
Weather:  mostly sunny, some clouds & fair light cloud cover a good part of the day, low humidity & almost cool

Tida Wave--Bahamian Sloop

New Years Eve!
Despite the howling winds, the clunking & tugging of the anchor & chain & the slapping of water against the hull when the boat at a particular angle to the chop, I slept, whereas Graeme seemed to be up all night sleeping &/or reading.  SSB was better this am but Ed’s voice was still too low & no weather from ‘Blue Yonder’.  For several days now we have been listening to Exuma Park at 0900 hrs. to hear if ‘Moma Cal’ &/or ‘Kathrian’ were in the vicinity.  Mid morning the SCYC held its annual Class ‘A’ Bahamian Sloop Race between Tida Wave & Lady Muriel, where the skipper is local & crew is 8-10 cruisers per boat that signed up.  It was blowing 20-25K & on making it’s 1st tack Lady Muriel litterly lost it’s crew overboard, the boat heeled over & filled with water & sank.  The crew was rescued but the boat will have to wait some other time.  In the meantime we had headed for shore with foul weather gear on & a good thing; we were doused pretty good on a number of occasions.  I sat backwards but Graeme was forwards as he was driving of course.  I activated my Exuma WiFi that I had purchased; the 1st username & password did not work but the 2nd did.  I worked away on emails & found the location of ‘Moma Cal’ & ‘Kathrian’ in Nassau; they were there because of the cold front & also to see the Junkanoo tomorrow, then planned to move to Allans Cay to see the iguanas.  Graeme thought he would watch some of the race when he learnt of the sinking incident, so instead filled 2 empty diesel jerry cans well I worked at emails.  We had a great hamburger (Graeme) & snapper (Laura) meal for lunch at the Taste & Sea Café.  We purchased butter X 2 for Christine & ourselves + 2 of the smallest potatoes at Pink Pearl.  The dinghy ride home was drier.  A New Years Eve Happy Hour was held on ‘Truansea’ + 3 other boats including ourselves till 2000 hrs.  Graeme slept while I stayed awake till 2300 hrs. reading until the eyes started slamming shut.  I laid down & slept till shortly after midnight then woke to see the last of the spectacular fireworks from SCYC.  The night sky was incredible; moon, stars, milky way.
.


Tues. Jan 1, 2013—Day 91:
Destination:  Staniel Cay
Winds:  E 10-17K, some gusts                                     Seas:  negligible
Weather:  partly sunny & cloudy in am but full sun by midday & very comfortable temp

Happy New Year!  And much health, happiness & prosperity to all relatives & friends!

We knew we were not moving today & we didn’t think Chris would be broadcasting, so we slept in.  We listened to ‘Blue Yonder’ & her weather report, we watched a few boats leave & listened to conversations on the VHF between some boats we knew who left; much more wind than in the anchorage.  We dinghied to shore (not so wet today) to do internet with the remaining 38 mins.; I worked on a few emails & posted a few weeks of my blog, minus photos unfortunately.  Then we walked to the interior of the island on some remote roads.  Meanwhile SCYC the Cruising Regatta Race was soon to be under way; on Bahamian time—late.  While having a beer after our walk & before heading back home, Phyllis & Tom arrived with their friends, Evey & Jack.  It was on our dinghy ride home that we learnt of the collision in the race between ‘Glory Days’, a Canadian 50 ft. catamaran from Ottawa & Tida Wave, an ‘A’ Class Bahamian sloop; the cat was t-boned & had a huge hole in the port pontoon.  Not exactly a great record the last 2 days for racing.  Somehow the cat was brought to Pig Beach & a rescue team, ‘Amazing Grace’ worked to pump out water in the boat with divers or snorkelers & applied a plywood patch to the hole.  The boat was floated & rafted to the rescue boat that anchored not far behind us for the night.  We dinghied to Pig Beach to take pics of the pigs & like so many other dinghies observed the rescue operation on ‘Glory Days’.  You had to feel for the owners & people aboard with so many onlookers.  No one was hurt & we learnt the next day the outpouring of generousity of other cruisers.; heart wrenching.  We said our welcomed Dave & Mary (‘Morning Star’, a C&C 48) who were dock mates at the marina in Nassau & happened to anchor beside us.  We expressed our Happy New Year’s wishes to ‘Viking’s Dream’ as we dinghied to the Happy Hour invite on Cocoon II & their guests.  From the stern deck we all watched a near perfect sunset, but no green flash & enjoyed an evening of comraderie; a good time had by all.  A very good way to welcome the New Year.  It was another incredible night sky with moon, stars+++ & milky way.          

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