Today the wind finally calmed down to 2 to 5 kts. We decided to stay in our protected anchorage because another front with squalls is coming through tomorrow night and then again on Tuesday. Oddly, the anchorage filled up and by the end of the afternoon there were over 15 boats in here. Even when we had the predicted 50 kt winds a week ago, there weren’t that many here. However, after being knocked around a few days ago when the last squall and front came through, it appears that someone on these boats decided enough is enough and left their unprotected anchorages for this one.
Every morning at 8 am, the Cruiser’s Net comes on VHF channel 72. It begins with a weather report. This morning the guru of the Bahamas and Caribbean, Chris Parker, gave it from one of the boats here. Usually, one of the cruisers gives his report, so it was a treat to hear him in person. He is in Georgetown to give a seminar on Saturday. Normally, he reports the weather from his home in Florida at 6:30 am on SSB radio.
After the weather report, there are other speakers, telling news about the regatta which begins on Sunday, businesses come on and advertise what they are doing, and there is a “boater’s general” where people ask for items they need, request assistance, and tell about items that “need a new home.” Bahamian law does not allow anyone to sell something if it wasn’t purchased here or imported and the duty has been paid. Still, people do sell some older used items which usually can’t be found in the stores here. This morning, someone came on the Net with a long list of things that “need a new home.” (Cruiser talk for I have something to sell.) One was an American flag. Ours is tattered and while we had it sewed at an alterations shop in Charleston and then we have sewed it by hand and even put sail tape on it, it continues to rip. We were able to get one for $15 (ours is just like it and cost $50 new) from some Canadians. They bought their boat from Americans and of course don’t need the flag. Then, a boat near us offered us their old one for free. Hopefully these will last us awhile and we were thrilled to get them at such a good price, and of course free is even better!
This afternoon we decided to go snorkeling as the sun was shining and the water was very calm. We found some nice coral heads, but we still haven’t found anything spectacular here. We passed a new marina which is being built, and seems to be quite high end (above). Hopefully they will keep the prices reasonable, but more than likely will be expensive. The materials they are using in their buildings appear to be carved coral which of course is abundant here. At the right is one of the areas where we were snorkeling, and the coral next to the shore did have some fish and plant life. We swam along the rocky shore for awhile in the warm water.
Tonight we had dinner on
Ultra. Corbett and Robin, from
Cookie Monster, were also there. We had a great time. It was mainly a celebration as both JoAnne and Robin had been studying for the last month to take their ham radio license test and today they both passed with flying colors. Bill grilled some of the Nassau Grouper steaks we purchased a few days ago.
We also had appetizers and Margaritas before dinner and accompanying the grouper I brought sweet potatoes in a caramel sauce, homemade rolls, and of course milkshakes for dessert. We had champagne as well to celebrate the passing of the tests. At sunset, we played our conch horns, some more successfully than others, and we got a great photo of JoAnne blowing hers as the sun set (above) which is the traditional time to blow them.
