Finally Moving On

     Having spent nearly 3 weeks in the Georgetown area we finally decide to move on. Since the regatta ended we have been plagued with a low pressure system that has dumped rain and wind for a week. The weather has cleared and even though the winds aren't ideal we head out for Long Island.

Long Island
     With a moderate east wind we motor sail on a course NNE much to tight an angle for us under sail alone. After 28 miles of pounding into the chop we arrive at Hog cay on the north end of Long Island. We spent the afternoon and the next day exploring the creek with extensive sand flats that meander thru the area.

Miles of low tide sand flats to explore

Another day another beach

Conception Island
     Having not visited this uninhabited National Park since 2013 we have been itching to get back to it's pristine beaches and gin clear waters.  Mild weather is a must as the only anchorage offers protection from only east winds. With a few days of moderate tradewinds predicted we head out once again motor sailing into the wind and waves the 29 miles arriving at anchor for a late lunch. The hilite of the trip was bringing in a 50 inch bull Mahi. This made for many meals into the freezer while sharing some with friends Clifford and Adriann on Willow Wind who we have spent time with often the past few years.
    Great weather has us spending time on both the exposed oceanside beach and the protected beach surrounding the anchorage. A happy hour get together on the beach has us joining   couples from the 6 other boats we share this spot with.

Biggest Mahi yet

oceanside beach video- Conception

Cat Island- McQueens

     While the weather is favorable we set sail downwind for the southern tip of Cat Island where after a long 6 hour sail we anchor in Old Byte off the tiny settlement of McQueens. A hike around the area found mostly abandonded houses and not much in the way of civilization. Like many of the towns in the far Islands there isn't much to keep the young people there and they move to the big cities of Nassau and Freeport as soon as they are able.

Coconut water for skyjuce (gin, condensed milk, Coconut water)

      New Bight- We set off the few miles to anchor for lunch and for a hike to visit the Hermitage which is situated  atop Mt Alverna boasting the highest point in the Bahamas at a whopping 206 ft.  The Hermitage was built by Father Jerome as his retirement home after spending his life building numerous churches throughout the islands.

Mt Alverna

Hermitage

     Fernandez Bay-A short sail north brought us to this tiny cove where we anchor for a peaceful evening.
     
Little San Salvadore

     Continuing on our way north while the weather holds we sail another 6 hours to Halfmoon Bay where we once again meet up with friends on Willow Wind and they join us aboard for Happy Hour.  If this island sounds familiarit's because we have stopped here twice already on this trip when we had to backtrack for our engine repairs. The beach and water here are pristine but it's a cruise ship day stop so it can get crowded when a ship is in.