Moving South

nicely making way

While riding out big winds in Marsh Harbor we spent a couple of days wandering around town, filling our diesel at $4.70/gal and water at .22/gal(best price around, marina charges .45/gal.) and also picking up a couple of pounds each of frozen lobster meat(no shell)$14.50/lb and conch $7.25/lb at the local seafood warehouse. Once the winds eased up we had a great sail south to anchor behind Tavern Cay. Had fellow cruisers from S/V Vindaloo over for happy hour where I (Kevin) cooked up a batch of Conch fritters. The air is still a little cool but we stay toasty inside our greenhouse. 

      Each morning in the Abacoes a group of locals host a radio program called the cruisers net where they read the weather report, share info on local happenings along with many business getting their pitch. Boaters can call in with questions and announcements and this morning a boater was organizing a cook out on the beach at mostly uninhabited Lynard Cay. Since this is where we were planning to stage for our next crossing we sailed down under brisk winds. 

Apres Ski at anchor

cook out on Lynard Cay

 That evening we enjoyed a great happy hour and cook out with a  gathering of about 18 cruisers at this beautiful protected spot just a short walk from the raging ocean. The air was cool but warmer days are ahead.

pristine beach, Lynard Cay

 As we wait for the winds and seas to abate we enjoyed swimming in the cristal clear waters and wandering the beaches and oceanside trails.  By Monday morning the weather has eased and we head out in the company of 7 other boats to cross the N E Providence channel to Eleuthera. Winds were light and we mostly  motorsailed for the 10 hour trip. Many boaters are making their way north and took advantage of the favorable weather and we crossed paths with at least 15 boats. This time of year their is a mass exodous of live aboard boaters who have spent the winter further south with many Canadien vessels heading to the Great Lakes for the summer.

Eleuthera
    Our favorite protected anchorage when we enter this area is the totally enclosed harbor inside Royal Island. With another blow coming in a couple of days we come in early to be assured of a prime spot. Spent the day Tuesday hiking on the island with a  morning of snorkeling at the ruins of an old harbor on the north side followed by a picnic lunch. Fish were plentiful but my camera skills failed me as most pictures came out very colorless. 

lionfish(invasive)

ruins of a krall(corall) cut into the limstone to hold lobster or possibly turtles

waiting for bar service?

Royal Island ruins

      As predicted the winds have built and we have been joined by 14 boats also seeking shelter. We plan on staying put for at least a couple of days before moving on to Spanish Wells and pionts south.
One good thing about being holed up is that Chris takes time to bake, brownies, muffins and bread. No wonder we gain weight while sailing.