1-9-10 Yesterday, Thursday, was an eventful day or at least start of the day. We planned to leave at 7:30 am with other boats bound for Nassau, a 125 mile run with an overnight anchorage on the Great Bahama Bank. We had two anchors out and the secondary anchor we discovered after much pulling and maneuvering was caught on a 75 lb anchor chain that was calcified, coralized and very antique. In the process of using the dinghy to lift this hunk of junk off our anchor a secondary tow line we secured to the dinghy as a precaution flew loose and of course the prop picked it right up. Not good. We were in an anchor field with many boats and drifting like crazy. Bill dropped the anchor AGAIN. A fellow boater went under and released the prop from its tanglement. So, bottom line, 8 am we set out for Nassau, quite exhausted. There were two contingencies, smaller boats taking the southern route and larger boats taking the northern (deeper water) route. The rest of the day went fine, and we motor sailed to the Great Bahama Bank and anchored at 8 pm. Long day but the sky couldn't have been more beautiful. The stars and moon were so bright (no light pollution). This morning we hauled the anchor at 6 am. I have taken pictures of the most beautiful sunrise ever. We have another 50 mile day - 10 hours more or less - to Nassau. Bimini was cold the few days before we left as was Miami and a lot of the rest of the world we understand. Nassau will be warmer - already is here - and then we plan to head for the Exumas. Our Vermont friends who because of the dogs had sailed the northern route straight through heard us clear Harbor Control upon entering Nassau Harbor and directed us to their anchorage. We joined them and after some fraternizing and story telling, we hit the sack, exhausted.




1-10-10 This morning we see there are also three Montreal boats whom we have met along the way and other acquaintances from Ft. Lauderdale. Just great to make so many new friends. The best part is the neighborhood keeps changing. This harbor is partyville. Cruise boats going by all the time. We did some boat stuff and then took the dinghy into Nassau and looked around. We replenished the provisions and then had lunch in one of the local places, Daphneys. Snapper with crab rice (really good), cold slaw and grilled plantain (sp?). Delicious. We also found a salon and got hair cuts. Boy does that feel good! We made it back to the boat before a storm hit, windy with heavy rain. Hopefully we will get to see Paradise Island tomorrow.



1-14-10 Yesterday, the weather finally calming down, we pulled anchor at 9 am and sailed to Highbourne Cay. It was a beautiful day and our trip was uneventful, sunny and nice. We anchored on the West side of the cay and immediately put our motor on the dinghy, picked up our adopted dog, and headed for the beach. Skipper had a great time finding birds in the bushes and we enjoyed the beautiful sand and water. You can look down and see our anchor in 15 ft of water. On our sail over I practiced watching the water from the bow. Need to know how to recognize the coral, sand, grass, etc. We rocked and rolled all night, like sleeping in Gosport. I think today we will be going down to Norman Cay, apprx 12 nm. There has been no communication from the boat since we left Bimini, and it seems telephone calls to the US in any form is very expensive. Our new antenna helps when there is wifi to pirate, but there is nothing around here.



1/15-10 We motored sailed to Shroud Cay yesterday. It is part of the Bahama National Park, and it was beautiful. The beaches were breathtaking, and the coral reefs met the sand swamps and Mangroves. We hiked and found wells and more beaches. We dinghied to many more beaches and beautiful mangroves. We swam and met more cruisers doing the same thing. I would have liked to have spent more time here, but we need ice by Friday and Stanciel is the next place to provision. Stanciel sounds like fun. Lots of snokeling areas and fun ashore with the locals. I am ready for that. Today we started out for Piper Island around noon time after morning meeting with other cruisers and a bath in the beautiful waters. We tried our initial thought for anchor, but found shoaling in the channel that was uncharted. Turned around just in time to avoid grounding (although we did dig our our channel to get out) and warned our fellow followers of the problem. We then headed for another charted anchorage, and found it to be just great. We dinghied into the beach and walked around before the sun set. The wind gave us a good sail into Piper. It is still blowing as we eat dinner. Hopefully we can make Stanciel tomorrow which is only a short distance before the storm that is predicted for Saturday-Sunday hits. In case you haven't noticed, we have been overwhelmed with bad weather. Everyone says it is record breaking. I am complaining because it is interfering with my sleep. This rocking and rolling and beating and shuttering of the anchor lines has grown tiresome.



1-17-10 We sailed from Piper to Saniel yesterday and have anchored where we hope to have protection from the storm that is starting to show itself this morning with high winds. We had a little more practice reading the waters coming into the anchorage. Again, did an about turn as we got into rocky grassy areas. After we anchored yesterday about noon time we joined fellow cruisers in their dog walk and sought out a local store to purchase a wifi card. Last night we dined at the Staniel Yacht Club on the porch with friends. That was fun. Love the local people and food. We had fish and conch and homemade Bahamian bread. The conch was to die for. The water is so beautiful here in the Exumas and there are white sandy beaches everywhere. Today we'll check out the dump (because it is free and Bill thinks it will be fun) and the village.
 
1-19-10  Yesterday we sent snorkeling along the coral reefs not far from our anchorage.  What beautiful fish and reefs.  Today we are going to check out Thunderball grotto.  It's the cave used to photo the James Bond movie Thunderball.  Then after some provisioning we probably will be moving down the Exumas.  Our weather has been wonderful.  Finally, the islands!