After our last shore visit to do the blog we returned to the boat and finally put our kayaks together and paddled to the beach at our anchorage. It was the best day we have had since coming to the Bahamas. Peter paddled alone and Pretzel rode with Jane, whining all the way. She was just hoping Pretzel did not try to jump out because they would both go over. Later that afternoon we met another couple on the beach next to the marina to clean it up. When we were at the marina 10 days ago we sat looking at a much littered beach in front of a small graveyard so Peter got some others interested in cleaning it up. It looks great now!!
Saturday was another beautiful day so we took the dingy to the beach and decided to explore a small coral reef about 40-50’ off shore that was partly exposed, due to a very low tide (full moon). Peter took the clear bottom bucket he made and we saw really beautiful corals but no fish. Jane got some good pictures with her little camera.
As she turned around to go back ashore there was Pretzel, about 20’ offshore, swimming without a life jacket, to get to us. OMG we have never seen her go into the water willingly since she doesn’t like it!! When Jane started walking toward her she turned back to the beach. We were really shocked at the determination that she not be left alone!! Jane put her life jacket on and then went back to the coral reef. Sure enough, Pretzel started swimming out to us again. We greatly under estimate her ability for survival. We all have a few more gray hairs today!!
Later that afternoon we saw a large sea turtle (about 3’ diameter) behind our boat. It was floating, stuck its head out for a few minutes then disappeared!!! Wish we had a picture of it for you but it happened so fast and they are very elusive.
Another front came through Sat-Sun so we spent the entire day on the boat with 20-25k winds, gusting to 30 overnight. Peter slept in the cockpit again while Jane monitored the handheld GPS. Monday dawned a beautiful, still day so Peter decided to take down the wind generator, take it apart, and reinstall a new control board sent to us by the company. This was the first time we prayed for wind, to see if it would work.
That evening we went to volleyball beach to eat, have a few drinks, and watch the opening fun of the Georgetown Cruisers Regatta. This is the 30th anniversary of the regatta but it has morphed into a 10 day celebration of organized activities like volleyball & trivial persuit competitions, dog parades, coconut harvest, conch blowing choir, boat parade, boat races, and an “un-talent” show. All these are organized by a central group of cruisers that spend the winter in Georgetown every year. It seems to be the destination of choice for a lot of people, especially those who live-aboard with children.
Today is Wednesday (March 3) and we sit at the dock in Georgetown again. The weather predictions have been talking about a strong front passing through Tues-Wed. There were gale warnings issued for the Bahamas yesterday so we pulled anchor 9after 2 weeks!) and motored across the harbor to the marina. The front fizzled, so to speak. We had no squalls with thunder & lightening and no major gale force winds at dawn this morning. It is cloudy today with 15k blows but nothing more than we have had all along!! We will take the opportunity to thoroughly wash the boat, do laundry, and get our internet caught up. At least we can get off the boat comfortably. Jane might visit a few of the gift shops here.
Our plan is to leave Georgetown sometime next week when the weather hopefully cooperates. The fronts are suppose to end by now and the prevailing winds turn to the E SE. Stay tuned for the next installment.
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