Day 22. April 13. Last Lay day in Green Turtle

Day 22

Today we checked the weather and it looks like we are finally a go for leaving tomorrow.

We completed some tasks to prepare for leaving. Much to my dismay Bill wanted to tackle reshackling the anchor. I suggested that he wait til we get home, but no!!!

Well, the shackle was really frozen and Bill lost his grip and guess what, our anchor is now on the bottom not connected to the chain. Luckily two fellow boaters, Ronald and Jason, on our dock came to the rescue. Bill and Ronald pulled up the anchor onto his runabout so it could be worked on. First method - tried rebar and big wrench to power off the shackle, next they tried a blow torch to heat up the metal, and when that did not work, they resorted to sawing through the unwanted shackle and we had success. Yeah!!! We then let out the chain so we could reconnect the anchor and pull it in with the windlass.

Still had to find the wrench that went overboard with the anchor, so Bill went in and ended up walking in the sandy mud around where the anchor fell to find the wrench. Luckily we found that also! Guess this is our lucky day after all!! I must say we provided the marina with some drama!!

Wished I had taken pictures, but did not.

After all that excitement, another boater came over to help with downloading maps on our plotter on the dinghy. Between Bill and Mark, affectionately called Garmin for his expertise, they worked out the issue and now that is resolved. Thank goodness for other boaters!!!

After all that excitement, Bill and I walked over to Gillam Beach on the north side of the island. It was easy to find with all the directions left by the locals!

Yes we found the beach and along the was the local dog kept watch from his porch!

The beach was a beautiful crescent with sand bars and breaking waves and beautiful water color.

We then made our way back to the boat for dinner back through the mangrove, bushes and palm trees.

After dinner, to thank Jason for his help, We had he and Ashley over and fried up some of Rosie's famous conch fritter batter. Was delicious plus we got more advice on the Bahamas.

Thus ends our eventful day!!!

Side trip to the Bahamas- Preparations

As we prepare for our Bahamian Adventure, we are making lists upon lists of things to do and provisions to buy for our upcoming trip to the Bahamas. Bill has spent much time readying the boat for the cruise, checking engines, batteries and all the systems on the boat - electrical, plumbing, navigation, refrigeration and air conditioning. Sure kept Bill busy!!! We took the boat out to check all the systems and to get fuel. We had to re-remember all the navigation and auto pilot workings and surprisingly we did remember!! We have spent the last two days loading the boat with provisions- water, food, tools, clothes, toiletries and cleaning supplies, and our pantry and cabinets are full. We are sitting a bit heavier in the water now that we are fully loaded. Also Bill has finally gotten his TO DO list down to the few remaining items so he sees the light at the end of the tunnel!! We have researched the charts and guide books and have a tentative pla...

On to Allan's-Pensacola Cay. Day 12. April 3. Mile 35.2. Total mile

Day 12 We left our anchorage at sunrise to head out of Great Sale Cay Harbor. Turning west and then north, we will cruise around Great Sale Cay toward Abaco's barrier islands, eventually reaching the eastern edge of the Little Bahama Bank today. As we turn Northeast, we get some spray. Crustacean is quite salty now! Winds are out of the east 10-15 knots with waves at one foot. We cruise past Little Sale Cay we see a steady stream of sailboats going both east and west. I counted 15 total. Nice wind for sailing. Halfway through our trip, you begin to see the outer barrier islands on the horizon to the north. Five miles later you can see Little Abaco Island to our south. Here is a chart of the area we traveled from Great Sale to Allan's-Pensacola Cay today. The further we travel east, the Little Bahama Bank narrows, The winds pick up and seas run 1-2 feet. Crustacean got even saltier! As we approached Allan's-Pensacola the wind and sea...

Day 24-25 April 15-16 On to Hopetown and Lay day in Hopetown. Miles 12.6. Total 460.6

Day 24 We had a change of plans. Our friends who we met cruising the Loop, Trisha and Mike, are traveling north through the Bahamas and are close, so we will join then in Hope Town. We will then back track a bit to visit Man-o-War Cay and Marsh Harbor after visiting with them. It is a bright sunny day with light winds as we weigh anchor to leave Great Guana. There is lots of freight and commercial traffic today- tugs and barges, large freighters and flat bed delivery boats. It takes all these to handle the shipping needs and construction on the islands. We trip today took along the north east side of Great Guana and then past Scotland Cay, which is all privately owned. Next we passed Fowl Cay which is a nature preserve known for its diving. Following Fowl Cay is Man-o-War Channel with its deep water access to the Atlantic and Man-o-War Cay, known for its ship building and maintenance. Sorry, pictures of the passes and islands did not turn out too well...

Crustacean Travels

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