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Day 19-20. More Lay days at Green Turtle Cay. April 10-11

 Day 19

The wind did come in as predicted, so we have a very breezy sunny day.

Spent the morning doing chores and laundry- christening the new marina dryer with its first load.  Nice to have clean sheets.  

While doing the laundry, we met a couple from Ohio who raised sled dogs.  Her husband competed in the Iditarod.  Was fascinating hearing of their adventures raising the dogs and taking them to competitions in Canada and the US.  On our way back to the boat, we met a couple from Ottawa who have wintered here for two seasons.  they leave their boat here and pull in for the summer and return to Canada where they have a boat on one of Canada's many lakes.  It seems the snowbirds will be leaving the Bahamas soon or around Easter.

Took some shots of the marina.  Donny's is a very low key, no nonsense enterprise where much is handled by handshakes, verbal agreements and "honesty jars" for laundry and water use.  Many of those who stay the winter pitch in with chores around the marina.  More like a working yacht club.





We joined these marina folk for docktails.  It seemed knot lesson were the theme!  Bill learned a new version of a half hitch!  It is so interesting how such a diverse group of people from all over can come together to help one another and laugh and joke and enjoy each others company so easily.

Leaving the docktails early, we walked to town with Carol and Gary to listen to three of the marina boaters on guitars and drums, perform at the Sundowner.  Apparently these guys provided entertainment throughout their winter stay.  We enjoyed a nice sunset, good music and lovely meal.




Here are some shots at the bar after dark.  Our friend Carol borrowed light wings from another patron and gave them a try.  Bill couldn't resist giving her a hug.


Especially enjoyed Ronel, the singing bar tender, and his version of "Sittin on the Dock of the Bay".


Day 20

Woke to a calm sunny day.  Got up early to go with Carol to town to get to the grocery store to pick up Rosie's Special Conch Fritter batter.  While in the store, Bill splurged and picked up some ice cream.  Will be bad tonight!

We returned to the boats to help Gary and Carol ready to leave.  They opted to go where we opted to stay and wait til waves decreased.  Luckily we made the right choice as they ended up surfing in 4-6 feet waves, but made it safely to their next destination. We caught Tuggernaut as they left us!

Bill left the dinghy in the water and we headed out to explore White Sound, the sound on Green Turtle to the north of us. This Sound is lined with newer homes and expensive marinas and resorts.  We walked around Green Turtle Resort but much preferred the friendly atmosphere of Donnie's.





Returning to the boat, we reviewed weather to determine when we would leave.  We put in all the way points for our routes to our next stop so we are ready to go.   Afraid it looks like another cold front is right behind the one that just passed through. So with waves 3 to 4 feet and wind at over 15 knots out of the wrong direction we decided to keep watching the weather.

Later that afternoon we joined the cruisers on the "beach" and met the new boats and learned all about the route we will take in the coming days from experienced boaters.    After dinner, we had our ice cream!  Nice end to the day.

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