Staniel Cay

We left Monday in 20k headwinds for Staniel Cay. After motor sailing in deep water (15') we negotiated shallow water (5-6')to get into the Cay channel. We were travelling with s/v Riverbird, the boat which we crossed the banks with from Bimini. The anchorage had lots of cross currents so we found an empty mooring ball belonging to Club Thunderball (now closed) and hooked on. Bad choice. It was near the cut to the deep water Exuma sound and between the tides, currents, and strong winds we rocked hard all night, listening to waves crash on the shore. No one had a good sleep. BUT it did rain hard for about 10 minutes and washed the salt off the boat. Tuesday dawned sunny and calmer so we decided to motor into the Staniel Cay yacht club for diesel and a tie up for the night. At $2 per foot and no shower or laundry facilities it was not the best bargain. Liz walked to a beach and Peter and Jane walked to town. There are 2 shops for supplies, the Blue House and the Pink House. Since one was closed we had no choice. No fresh produce until the weekly mail boat comes in. This is the norm in these islands. Thank goodness for canned or dried fruits and veg. After our little walk we decided to dingy about 1 mile around Big Majors island to a beach. Upon arrival some large pigs broke out of the shrubs and started to swim to the boat!! peter brought bread (OK we knew about the pigs from Persephone) and fed them. A quick exit when they started to fight over the crumbs.

When we returned to the boat we picked Liz up and dingied to Thunderball Cave to snorkel. This is the cave featured in the 007 movie Thunderball. You have to snorkel only at slack low tide. Jane stayed in the dingy with Pretzel and a line to throw in case they could not get back to the dingy. The island provides small floats you can tie your dingy to while snorkeling.

We had a wonderful 4 course dinner at the yacht club ($29). Included soup, salad, entree, potato & veg, and dessert. Delicious & hot! Everyone decided to go to bed early due to lack of sleep last night. Unfortunately the little "no see ums" we thought were out turned to be little mosquitoes and Jane got 10 or more bites. she & Peter sat in bed for about 45min just trying to get them all. This is our first contact with the little buggers in the Bahamas.

Will post pictures when we move on. preparations are underway now to shove off the dock in 30 min or so (mid tide to get over those 1.5meter shallows) to Farmers Cay. There is a festival going on Friday so we want to be there for that. Weather is sunny but no wind so iron jenny again. Over and out from Staniel Cay Yacht Club.