We Closed the Circle

We closed the circle.  We are back in Clubfoot Creek where we started the season.

With a forecast of fair weather and winds that would last four to five days and our check-out papers stamped we left the dock on Sunday afternoon at high tide and started our way back to the states.  We had a nice sail to Powell Cay where we started the motor and went out the cut into the ocean.  We were greeted by a pod of dolphins.  We had a number of waypoints to follow provided by our weather forecaster and we started off to our first waypoint just as the sun was setting.  With light winds almost on the nose we adjusted our course but soon found we would be traveling too slow and far off of our planned line.  We again started the motor and adjusted course to the waypoint.  We continued through the night and the next day.  The winds shifted to be off our stern and was not strong enough to keep the sails full so we continued motoring.  We continued on our course experiencing some eddies off the gulf stream slowing us down into the 4 knot range instead of the 5-6 we were traveling. Wednesday we got into the gulf stream and our speed jumped up to 6-7 knots and we were able to sail giving the motor a rest.  We also took advantage of the conditions to transfer the diesel we were carrying in jerry jugs to the main tank.  We were not sure if we would have enough fuel to motor all the way.  Around 11:00 pm the winds died off, we were out of the gulf stream and we had to motor again.  Thursday morning at 10:00 am we arrived in Beaufort NC and dropped anchor in the harbor.  We went for lunch with Donna and Jerry from Bluejacket who had arrived from the Bahamas the day before.  Friday we spent on the boat recovering from the trip and checking on some problems.  Saturday morning we pulled anchor and motored up the ICW catching a rising tide.  Once into the Neuse River we continued on to Clubfoot Creek and anchored off the marina.  The circle was closed.

We left November 8th and  traveled a total of 2244 nautical miles or 2582 statute or land miles which is about the distance from New York to London.  We visited several islands that we had not been to before and plan to go back.  We met up with many of our friends from previous years, made a lot of new friends and met many of the locals.  Once again the Bahamians demonstrated that they are the most friendly and welcoming people on earth and we are looking forward to returning next winter.

So what is the plan?  We are going to spend a little time in North Carolina sorting out what we need to keep on the boat and what goes to storage.  From here we will move up to the Chesapeake and get hauled out for the summer.  We plan on spending the summer in South Dakota working on the property and cabin we bought.  

I have never mentioned it but if you click on the pictures they will enlarge to full size.

Back at Green Turtle Cay

We are back in the Abaco's at Green Turtle Cay where we were for Christmas.

We left Hog Cay in the Jumentos Islands, stopping at Nurse Cay.  We went ashore and hiked to the ocean side and when we got back to the anchorage we started looking for conch.  We added five more to our freezer after Cori cleaned them.  In the morning we pulled anchor and sailed to Water Cay but only stayed the night since it was rolling more than we like.  In the morning we pulled anchor and sailed through  the shallow banks to Calabash Bay on Long Island.  Once again we were someplace we had not been.  The bay at Calabash has a reputation for the swell to cause rolling but it wasn't too bad that day.  As pretty as the bay was we decided to move on to find a protected anchorage from a weather front that was forecast to be moving in.  We left in the morning to sail to Cat Island.  Again the winds started light and by the time we arrived at Old Bight it was blowing 20 knots.  In the morning we went ashore and walked up to the community, stopping at the bakery for treats and a loaf of coconut bread, at the small grocery store Cori checked if they had any lettuce which they didn't, and checked out the straw market next door.  After learning how to make simple baskets we now appreciate how much work these ladies put into their crafts.  On the way back it started to rain so we stopped at a take-away shop for lunch and to get out of the rain.  While we were waiting a van pulled up and asked if we needed any produce, and he had the lettuce Cori was looking for.  In the evening we went ashore to join the other cruisers in an impromptu beach party.  The resort we were in front of, Rollezzz Beach Resort, hosted us with a bonfire, several snacks and a local musician.  In the morning we moved up the bay to New Bight.  There is a new laundromat and Cori took advantage of it getting a months worth of laundry done.  I was running low on gasoline for the outboards and generator so I took several jerry jugs to shore to fill at the gas station.  I got thirteen gallons, after adding the Value Added Tax (sales tax) the total was $138.00, the most I have ever paid for fuel.  Everything is expensive since it has to be shipped in.  The major attraction at New Bight is the Hermitage.  This a small chapel and living quarters that Father Jerome built on the highest point in the Bahamas.  It is all hand-built with local stone and includes a path with the Stations of the Cross built from rock and cement.

After the climb we stopped for lunch and beers at the beach.  In the late afternoon our friends on Wabi Sabi arrived.  The next morning we joined with them for another hike to the Hermitage this time stopping to check out the cave Father Jerome lived in while building the facility.  Again we stopped for lunch and beers at the small beach bar/restaurants.  

The next morning we planed an early start to continue on our way.  After starting the engine I noticed the alternator was not working.  I found that the cable leading to the batteries was corroded.  After cutting it back and replacing the connector we were off.  It is often said that cruising is "repairing boats in exotic places."  We started off to Little San Salvador in light winds that continued to rise until it was blowing around 20 knots. Little San Salvador is a stop for Carnival Cruise ships to let people off to play on the beach.  There was a cruise ship there when we arrived and anchored.  The location we were at was unprotected from the swell and we were being bounced around a lot.  After the ship left we moved closer to the shore and got a bit more protection for the night.  The next morning we pulled anchor early and got underway to Rock Sound on Eleuthera Island as another cruise ship moved in.  We had another day of sailing with winds 15-20 from behind with the seas building to four foot.  We have been able to sail for several days.  The weather forecast was for a front to come through with strong north winds and this is the ideal place to ride it out.  About twenty other boats had the same idea but there is room for many more.  Again, Wabi Sabi joined the crowd and we spent several days ashore with them and Steve from Jade whom we met at Cat Island.  We spent five days here and then moved up the island to the Glass Window to stage for the next leg.  It was dead calm as we motored all day running the water-maker to fill the tanks.  

The next morning we pulled the anchor at sunrise to be at Current Cut timing it for slack tide and going through the cut with minimum current.  From there we raised the mizzen, a reefed main and the headsail and started of to Little Harbor in the Abaco's, a trip of 73 miles.  The winds started at 10 knots and topped off at 20 knots when we arrived at Lynyard Cay for the night, arriving just as the sun set.  The next day we hung out on the boat resting, cooking and doing some light maintenance.  After our day off we motored a winding path through the shoals to Elbow Cay and taking a mooring in Hopetown.  We were soon visited by friends that had seen us coming in.  Saturday was Farmers Market day and while there we ran into our friends from Sammy Don't, another Pearson 424, that we had met three years ago in Granada.  Sunday we dropped the mooring and started out sailing to Green Turtle Cay.  About half-way there the skies darkened and we got hit with a squall with rain and winds in the high 30's.  Once we got the sails down and everything under control we continued on motoring to Green Turtle.  We planned to go into Black Sound but it was at low tide so we anchored.  The next morning we moved into the sound and tied up at Donny's Marina where we had started in December.

We have been here on the dock for several days checking out the changes in town, helping at the marina, enjoying going out for a few meals and visiting with the other cruisers.

Today is Friday April 8th and we have just come back from meeting with the Customs official to check out o the country.  The forecast is for several days of good weather and we are hoping to take advantage of it and make a run to North Carolina.  If it works out it will be a four day run.

Our sign in the Tiki Hut on Hog Island

The Tiki Hut on Hog Island in the Raggeds