Day Two at Lynyard

This morning we picked up another couple in our dinghy and crossed over to Little Harbor about a mile by dinghy. We didn't take Laughter in Little Harbor because we would have to go in and out on high tide and didn't want to deal with that. The sea was a little choppy so Tom had his hands full trying to keep us all dry on the trip over. Little Harbor is the home of Pete's Pub. Next to Pete's is a museum and foundry. Randolf and Margot Johnston founded an art colony in Little Harbor in the 50,s. Randolf was an internationally known artist renowned for his lost wax casting in Bronze. Their son Pete now runs Pete's Pub and Gallery and makes life size marine bronzes and jewelry inspired by local motifs. We toured the museum/gift shop and then met another couple at the pub. The four of us hiked to a hidden beach area to hunt for Sea Glass. As Cindy put it we hit the mother load of sea glass. We were all happy with our new treasures. Sea glass is really nothing more than pieces of bottle that have rolled around in the surf for years. The sand and water has smoothed their edges and polished the glass. Jewelry made from sea glass is found in many of the gift shops and it's not cheap! The rarest find is a deep deep blue or purple. After a day of digging in the stones and hunting through the surf we returned to Pete's for a cold drink and dinner. As Tom says "another beautiful day in Paradise.
                                          

                                                                           Pete's Pub

                                                       T-shirts over the bar at Pete's

A hop back to Marsh Harbor then on to Lynyard Cay

I enjoy staying in one location long enough to explore the area a little each day. Not having to rush around the entire day trying to see everything is a much more relaxing mode of operation. When we do leave it feels sooooo good to be back on open water. The wind in my face as I sit at the helm, looking out over the water as we meander to our next spot. Hard to beat!  We left Treasure Cay, made a short over night stop in Marsh Harbor for engine fuses, groceries and other incidentals then moved on to Lynyard Cay. Passage to Lynyard took about 2 1/2 hours most of it relatively uneventful. You noticed I said most of it. There are several areas between islands referred to as cuts. If the ocean is rough crossing the cuts can be rough to impossible. Today was a rough day. We rolled and bounced all the way across. It was pretty uncomfortable but only lasted a short time.  The anchorage area at Lynyard is nothing more than an indentation in the island(Cay). The number of boats in the anchorage or any anchorage for that matter depends on the direction of the wind. There were 13 boats anchored because of the forcasted light winds.  We found a spot, settled in then took the dinghy ashore. The beach was small and reminded me of Gilligan's Island. Hung from the trees were items that had been found in the area, floats of various sizes, Styrofoam bobbers, rope, nets, etc. There was even a sign post that was built from old wood. A path led us from the beach over a hill to the ocean. Most of the ocean side was rocky.  There was so much trash on the ocean side it was disheartening. Plastic, plastic and more plastic!  We all really need to reduce the amount of plastic used! Tom and I split up to hunt for treasures. When we came together to share our finds I had sea glass and shells. Tom had string, some net and parts of old flip flops he found( he was going to use the parts to fix his). Can you say Sanford and Son? We packed up our treasures and headed back to the boat for the evening.

Plastic and garbage that has washed up on the beach

Stuff hanging from the trees at the beach

                                                 The rocky cliffs ocean side of Lynyard Cay

Sunset

 

Laughter sitting pretty at dusk

I HATE STORMS WHEN ANCHORED!

Our intention was to stay a few days in Treasure Cay. We stayed nine. Most of days were beautiful, warm and sunny but the day the storm blew through is the day everyone remembers and talks about.  There are few things in this life that I strongly dislike such as Brussels sprouts, spiders, mosquitoes, and mean people, but I HATE STORMS when anchored. I dislike them when in a marina but I HATE THEM when anchored. You think I have strong feelings about storms? Anyway, we received word that a pretty strong storm was on it's way so we double checked the anchor line and waited, and waited, and waited.  The wind picked up and several boats moved from the anchorage to the marina. I began to wonder if sticking it out in the anchorage was such a good idea. What did they know that we didn't? Evening came and other than some wind and a pretty lightning show in the distance it appeared the storm was going to miss us! Tom went to bed and as usual I stayed up to play on the computer. Then it happened. About 10:30 all heck broke loose! The wind was blowing so hard we were nearly spinning on our anchor. One minute you could see the entire harbor as if someone had turned on a sky light, the next streaks of lightning would hit the ground and water nearby. The thunder was almost a constant rumble.  I woke Tom up, we needed two people on watch. You could see flashlights on all the boats, everyone on watch.  The space between boats in an anchorage is crucial in this situation, as you swing you must remember that the boat next to you will also, and not necessarily in the same direction at the same time. You also have to remember that you have no clue how much rode he put out compared to you.  We watched as two sailboats put out fenders, they were swinging dangerously close, their owners out in the rain checking anchors. I couldn't sit, finding myself moving from the aft deck to the fly bridge and back. It seemed the storm would never let up. Finally at 12:30 am, the rain quit and wind died down. The lightning continued to light up the sky in the distance but we felt as if this nasty beast had finally moved on. Now exhausted but pleased that our anchor held we went to bed. Laughter really needed a fresh water rinse but I would have rather used a hose.

From Guana to Treasure Cay

We left Guana Cay and our musical weekend on Monday morning and headed for Treasure Cay. Treasure has the reputation for the cleanest fuel and cheapest water and we needed both. We were really low on fuel. The fuel light read reserve but Tom kept assuring me that the fuel tubes showed 1/4 tank. Boy did I hope he was right! I am my mothers daughter, at a half tank you stop and fill up. We obviously didn't. Half way across the sea of Abaco, Tom admits he is a little nervous about having enough fuel to get there. Not something I wanted to hear. I was one happy camper when I spotted the entrance to the harbor. I wouldn't have to give Tom a knot on his bald head after all. We had learned that nearly all the small businesses close for lunch but a fuel dock? We were lucky. We made it to the dock with a 1/2 hour to spare before they closed for lunch. We filled up fuel and water tanks and found a spot to anchor in the harbor.  A ten dollar a day fee is charged to anchor in but that gives you marina facility privileges. For me that meant my first long, long, long, hot shower in three weeks. Whoo Hoo!  The  three mile beach is magnificent and it took two full days to walk up and down hunting for treasures. The water was warm so wading out at low tide to look for shells was great fun. On our second day in Treasure we met Kelly. A gentleman of German decent whose home is in Portugal. We were sitting at a table in the marina when he approached seeking help with the IPAD his daughter bought him for Christmas. We soon learned that he bought a house and a second lot in Treasure 40 years ago paying $20,000 for the lot. Prices now, $169,000&up. The hurricane of 1999 took Kelly's house so he sold the lot & foundation to an Englishman and they lost interest in the area. Two years ago his wife died. His daughter told him he needed a project and recommended that he build a home on the other lot. So Kelly came over to get that done. We visited his lot and saw his building plans. His home will be spacious and beautiful.  There are several canals around the marina with homes and condos on them. We enjoyed buzzing up and down them in the dinghy and even found an empty one with a little beach to walk and fish from. We also dinked all the way around the corner of the island to the beach. Another afternoon we dinked out to a small island at the entrance of the harbor at low tide to shell. Upon our return to the boat the wind shifted and our boat was nearly blocking a 50 foot sports fishing boat that was in a private slip in front of some condos. We rode up to the boat to apologize and tell the owner we would move Laughter. A owners wife came out and introduced herself. She was delightful and asked us if we would like some mahi. They caught more than would fit in their freezer! A problem I wouldn't mind having.  We graciously accepted and spent a few moments chatting. Next thing we knew we were invited to ride over to the pig roast the next day on Guana Cay. I had signed up for a 5k run/walk that morning but was sure I could finish in time to go. The race started at 8:00 and by 9:00 I was in the shower and at 9:45 we were at Pam and Dans boat ready to go to the pig roast. The Sea of Abaco was pretty rough but their 50 foot fishing boat cut through the water with ease. Tom had a ball picking the captains brain about where to fish in the area on our ride over.  They have invited us back to go fishing before they leave in April so we will be sure to take them up on that!!

Tom trolling in the Dinghy as we toured the area

A stingray that came up to the beach when we were shelling

Peanut rolling in the sand

My shirt from the 5k walk/run

Treasure Cay Marina tipsy turtle bar

Treasure Cay Marina Pool

Treasure Cay Harbor

The beautiful blue water of the beach with a turtle swimming along

March 11th-18th Fishers Bay and a musical weekend

The wind made anchoring a challenge at Fishers Bay. Thankfully there was lots of room.  Fishers Bay anchorage at Guana Cay is a stones through away from Grabbers. Remember my Grabbers story?  We would now have an entire week to explore the area before the big Bearfoot concert weekend on the -17th &18th.  It is predicted that the anchorage would be full by Wednesday.  If so I hope the weather holds because high winds in a full anchorage makes for some interesting situations. We spent the week walking the beach, visiting the shops, enjoying happy hour with friends and completing a few jobs on the boat.  The weather settled down within 24 hours and remained pretty calm the entire week. On our dingy ride in to the concert I counted 53 boats anchored in the Bay!  We attended the free Friday afternoon Barefoot Man concert. His music resembles Jimmy Buffet type music but some of his songs are definitely a little more risque. All three levels at Nippers was packed with people. Trying to get near the band for a photo was difficult and the maze of people made getting to the bar an event! Tom and I and three other couples choose to sit on the beach in front of Nippers for most of the concert. Can you think of a better place to relax and listen to live music? Tom and I moved up to the upper deck level the last half hour to get a taste of the crowd. People watching was the best!  Saturday afternoon we watched Stone MaQuen perform at Grabbers. He played a mix of Bahamian Island music and American. It was great dance music. Again Tom and I started out on the beach in front of Grabbers.  One of the Chefs daughters  took to Tom and I. She was cute as a button and I enjoyed dancing in the sand with her. We moved from the beach to a large table for ten when other boaters we knew arrived.  We all got up and danced to Stones music on and off throughout the afternoon.  On Sunday afternoon Tom and I went back to Grabbers to listen to Brown Tip.  They are a rake and scrape band. That means they play canned music, sing and play the saws with a screw driver.  One of the groups members was an amazing dancer. He danced and played the saw, entertaining the crowd for hours.

                                                        Barefoot Man crowd

                                                            Stopne MaQuen

                                                     Dancing with one of Brown Tip group

Our group on the beach at Barefoot Man Concert

March 3-9th Wind - Waves - weather

After Ron and Natale left we took the opportunity of being in a marina to wash the salt off the boat, fill up the water tanks and take a nice long hot shower, the last for a while. We moved back to the anchorage area and settled in.  The winds kicked up that evening and were really strong the entire week. The temperature cooled down from the 80's it had been during Rons visit to 70-74. It was very cloudy all week as well. The boat was constantly swinging  and on Wednesday a storm blew through causing a few boats to drag anchor. We were pleased that we held throughout the storm. We went to shore for part of each day to get a break from the swing and chop but that meant preparing to get wet as well.  I had no trouble finding places to explore in town.  I tried to arrange a visit to a local school but had little success. Hoping to get that done before I leave the Bahamas.  On Friday the wind settled and the sky was clear. Friends from two other boats decided it was time for a change of scenery. Soon after they left we also felt a change was a great idea so we followed them over to Man-O-War.  We anchored outside the marina in a small cove. It was a great anchorage.  We dinked to shore and walked over a dune to the ocean side to walk along the beach. At low tide a sand bar appeared in the anchorage. We would all dink to the sand bar for happy hour. I found some wonderful "treasures" there. Lots of sea biscuits, beautiful shells and conch shells that had been thrown overboard after the conch was removed. We enjoyed Friday and Saturday at the anchorage.  On Sunday the winds blew in again and it was very uncomfortable. Laughter was bouncing and turning in half circles. Duel Dreams decided he was moving to a better protected anchorage.  After another hour of the bouncing we decided to move as well but there was a delay in our exit. One engine would'nt start. We started the second engine and the geni and after about 15 minutes, engine number 1 started and we were on our way. Now there is a new project added to the list. Why won't the engine start.

                                                           dinghy happy hour

If you look closely you can see the ocean on the other side of the island at this narrow point

Peanut actually followed us around in the shallows the entire afternoon then climbed in the boat to rest. Unfortunatley she chose the bucket that was filled with the shells I found.

Snorkling at Mermaid Reef

We, Ron, Natalie, Tom and I  headed back to Marsh Harbor and the marina Friday morning. The sea was a bit choppy but not uncomfortable. I was so glad that we had a great ride over on Thursday. Ron and Natalie really enjoyed watching the bottom for sea life on our way over but you couldn't see the bottom today because of the waves.  Once tied up at the marina we had some lunch and headed across the harbor by dingy to Marsh Harbor marina. We tied up at the dingy dock and walked down the road to a little bay where we snorkled out to the reef. Tom spotted a beautiful star fish which I took several photos of. We also saw lots of plants and fish but no colored coral to speak of.  It was recommended that we take bread to feed the fish but we forgot it. Once close to the reef it was apparent that the fish were expecting lunch. They swam around us and I actually had 5 or 6 needle nose swim up to my goggles. Ron found a few sea biscuits,(a biscuit shaped sand dollar), which I was very excited about.  Following a couple of hours of snorkling we walked back to the Marina and had a drink at the jib room. Ron and Natalies last dinner with us was lobster pieces with veggies grilled.  A great week of activities and fun. So glad they came. Saturday morning they headed out for the airport at 6:00.