January 29 to 31, 2018- Little Farmers Cay

January 28, 2018- Leaving Staniel Cay to Little Farmers Cay

7:45am- Leaving Staniel Cay at high tides.  The issue is how Dr. Jim leaves without hitting the Wide Catamaran and huge boat on the other dock.  There was a lot of discussion before take off. Not only is there winds but there is also strong currents. 

8:15am- After checking out it was time to go. 

WHAT A MESS!  First of all, the dock master who was suppose to help disappeared and we needed to leave before the current got stronger.. To help Dr Jim leave, Steve hung on to the bow line and a guy from a Catamaran held the stern line.  They slowly let go and as Dr Jim was backing out, the wind and the current caught him and he couldn't get up enough reverse speed.  His bow hit the huge G3 boat (150 ft Mega Yacht),, however with John trying to get him away from it with his legs and someone else pushing him off the big boat there was no damage. As he proceeded to go forward, his stern was coming toward the stern of our boat.  Good thing  the current was keeping our dinghy on our port stern since it acted as a fender between Airiel and our boat.  

The drama proceeds.  I can laugh now but not at the time. To try to get off our boat, Dr Jim gave it forward power and was going so fast (current) that the bow of his boat ran right into the dock.  It crushed one of the dock boards.  By then people had his bow. Steve used the pole to push the stern away from GaYa and as he was pushing as hard as he can, he ended up falling in the water along with the pole in between the boats.  Everyone now in the port woke up and ran to help.  Steve was trying to figure out how to get out of the water.  Good thing the Nurse sharks weren't interested in him. A guy from another big boat told him to swim to his boat as he put down his ladder.  It took poor Steve awhile to get out as he was catching his breathe. 

Steve is soaked after falling in

People helped Airiel to back out of the Marina safely.  Somehow his dinghy got detached but another boater tow it to him once he was safely out of the Marina.

Aerial getting out of the marina

  We had many hands helping us out by that time and having a bow thruster sure helped. 

As we were motoring out and calming down, Steve changed out of his wet salty clothes and washed and peroxide the cuts from the barnacles from a dock pole he tried to climb. So thankful that he didn't get hurt.  It is nice to see boater's helping one another in times like this. 

Now we are heading to Farmers Cay.  Of course the wind is right on the nose.
 

12:00pm- Going by Oven Rock on Great Guana Cay.  Very interesting how there is a huge rock near the beach.

It was very shallow going thru the cut to Little Farmers Cay.  We ran aground in once spot but manage to get out quickly. Had to keep an eye out for rocks.

For some reason our chart plotter told us the water was deeper than what it really was.  We just proceeded very slowly.

1:00pm- Arrived at Little Farmers Cay.  We reserved a mooring for the night. Good thing because they were all taken.  As if we didn't have any excitement today, the current was so strong and Steve reached down to grab the mooring with the pole and the hook on the pole broke.  Oh no, how do we grab onto this mooring.  We tried to back into it and grab it by the stern however the current was too strong.  Then Steve came up with a brilliant plan.  He used the fishing gaff and it worked. Poor Steve is exhausted.  The worse part was he didn't even have any cold beer on ice  afterwards.  

Point of interest: There are approximately 70'residents on this 3.5 mile Long Island..it is largely undeveloped so far. Little Farmers Cay has an interesting history.  A freed slave  from neighboring Barraterre, settled on the island with his two sons who later purchased the island from the British Crown.  One son had 13 children and the other 5.  They willed the island to their descendants who, to this day, can build on the island but not sell to outsiders.  Little Farmers Cay even has its own flag.

  

Old Cemetery

1:30-  After we had lunch, we all went to the small Marina and bar and had a couple of beers there.  We walked thru an old cemetery.  There was even a phone booth.  Not sure if it worked.    We then walk to what they call downtown and could see stingrays, turtles and fish swimming.  

Little Farmers Cay Marina/Bar/Restaurant

There were turtles

We saw stingrays

Crab walking across the street

 5:00pm- John prepared a wonderful chili and I made homemade buns and the day ended up perfect.

We plan on staying in Little Farmers Cay for a couple of days due to the weather and then head for Georgetown.  That plan can change!

January 29, 2018

The moon was sure bright last night.  I just love being either anchored or on a mooring when the moon shines across the water.  Tomorrow night is the full moon.  Hopefully the clouds won't interfere.  

6:30am-Woke up to a calm beautiful morning and the it started pouring around 7:30am.  

  After having our breakfast, Steve decided to fish off the boat when the sun peeped through. 

First catch is Nassau Grouper

Then he caught three Grunts with cooked ham we had in the fridge.  He tried turkey pepperoni but no fish wanted that.  Then we cut up a small raw chicken breast and caught 3 Sand fish but one slipped out of his hand.  He went to the Yacht Club to talk to Roosevelt Nixon (Marina owner) about how to clean the fish.  The Grunt were scaled and gutted and cooked whole.  The Sand were scaled, gutted and cut in 2 inch steaks.  This was enough to feed 6 people.

Grunt fish

Sand fish

While Steve was at the Yatch club cleaning the fish, I decided it was a great time to hand wash clothes and dry the.  I had to make sure the clothes had triple clothes pins since it was so windy.  The good thing is the clothes dried so fast. 

When we went to the Yacht Club, it was funny to watch Roosevelt Nixon watching "    The Price Is Right"

We brought the fish along with Rice, black beans and peas to Ariel where John prepared the fish baked in tin foil with old bay spice and butter.  What a feast.  Dinner and wine was wonderful.  Nothing better than the catch of the day. 

John preparing the fish

Nancy, Steve & Dr. Jim

John and Susan

Can't believe we ate the whole thing

Nancy enjoying the fish

8:00pm- Came back to our boat under the light of the silvery full moon.  We sat out in the cock pit with a glass of wine listening to the wind howling.  It was so beautiful. Today has been blowing between 25 and 30 knots with rain squalls passing by.  One more day of heavy wind and we should be on our way. Nice to be sitting on a mooring. Only $20 a night for restful night knowing you are not going to drag an anchor.

9:30pm- Watched a movie and then went to bed. 

January 31, 2018

5:30am- I opened my eyes in bed this morning and looked out of the port hole from the stern and behold the full moon was staring right at me. Good thing I laid there and admired it because when I got up to take photos around 6:15, she was partially hiding behind clouds.  So I never got to see it full or the eclipse. 

The wind has been howling all night.  Sometimes the boat felt like she was on a heel.  I love the fact that I can take the time to appreciate different types of sunrise and sunset every day.  Some are better than others but that is what makes it so intriguing.

We laid around a bit and then Steve and I decided to go exploring.  We went to an island across from Little Farmers and found an old wreck along with some treasures.

Found this bottle cap on the beach which read 1458 _Liquor bottle Ireland

  We found  fan coral along with at least a dozen beautiful empty unbroken conch shells.  Man did they stink.  We brought them back to the boat and soaked them in a pail of detergent, bleach and vinegar.  Figure one of those will get rid of the smell.  

Fan corals

Beautiful conchs

John, Susan and Nancy came by in their dinghy so we decided to follow them to the Yacht Club.  We got rid of our garbage and then we went to explore another part of the island.  We came up to a beach where several sailboats were anchored.





Beach on the other side where we were



We then went by their dump and the place were they make hydro.  Huge generators were on along with a big satellite.  It was funny to see the locals watch Dr. Phil in the afternoon.


The dump was well organized

 

We noticed a sign saying: JR Woodworking so we followed it to a house were JR was carving a fish.  He had some beautiful carvings and we bought one. He was showing us how he had all kinds of different vegetation such as almond trees, pomegranate trees, thyme, and medicinal herbs.  It would be nice to have spendt more time with him and learn more.

JR carving wood

Add caption

Steve is opening an almond from the tree

Making conch salad

 

 

 

Seeing that we were all thirsty, we went to the Yatch club bar for Kalik, their local wine.  After about an hour, Steve and I went back to the boat with a block of ice which cost us $10. 

Steve decided to do some fishing while I heated up leftover spaghetti.  He caught 1 Grunt and 1 Sand tile fish however he decide to release it since he didn't feel like going back to shore to clean it.  I caught  a Grunt.
 

We enjoyed the sun setting while eating our pasta meal.  Tomorrow will be a long day so we better rest up.

Steve blowing on the conch at sunset

We watched a movie and then off to bed.  We had a great day.
 Great full moon tonight

 

 



January 25 to 28,, 2018- Staniel Cay

 January 25, 2018- On our way to Staniel Cay

6:00pm- Woke up to watch the sunrise.  The clouds interfere with the view but it was still colorful.  I was hoping to see stingrays jump out of the water but they did not choose to greet me this morning.

7:30am- Steve and I enjoyed our coffee while noticing a beautiful sun dog.  It is amazing how nature stands out when you are not in a developed environment. The little things seem grander than man made things.  You learn to appreciate it so much more.  

9:00am- Left Exuma Park.  Dr Jim ran aground once he got off the mooring however got off before the Rangers arrived to help.  The currents are very strong and you do not have a lot of room to manoeuvre.. 

This is how close you get to other boats when you enter or exit

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We decided to go out into the ocean to Staniel Cay. The sea was about 2 ft  swells but we had to go into the wind which makes it a bumpy ride.

11:30am-No luck in fishing today. Darn...we were ready for it. Arrived at Staniel Cay Marina.  The minute we pulled up to our dock, we were surrounded by sharks.  When fisherman arrive with their catch and fillet them, the Sharks are more than happy to eat the remains. 

12:30- We decided to join Ariel crew for lunch.  It was fun sitting their while the Sharks were swimming around. 

 

1:30pm-  Steve and I decided to ride our bike to a grocery and hardware store.  Believe me, it is not like our stores.  Very limited.  

2:30pm- Nancy and Susan wanted to come with us for a wet ride on the dinghy to see the pigs.  Susan went to the restaurant to ask for leftovers in order to feed the pigs.  And that is exactly what we did.  We had such a good laugh.  One of the pigs even tried to board our dinghy.  

Pigs and chickens together on the Island

4:45pm- We took a shower on the boat since this marina does not have showers or good internet.  We were all salty from the ride back from the pig island.

5:15pm- Steve joined Airial for cocktails while I worked on my blog.  We will be joining them at the restaurant at 7:00pm.  The restaurant is only opened from 7-9pm. 

7:00pm- Time to go out to dinner and it was pouring out.  Good thing I brought my umbrella however the tides must of gone down 3 ft and there was no way I could get off the dock without Steve's assistance.

Went to dinner at the marina restaurant with John, Susan and Nancy.  Dr Jim wasn't well and Katrina and Jan chose not to come.  When you check in to the Marina, they give you a menu with their dinner selections if you wish to dine at their restaurant.  You have until 4:00pm to let the bartender know your choices.  Steve and I selected the fish of the day (Mahi Mahi) which came with soup, salad, fish, baked potatoe and coconut creme pie.  

8:30- When Steve and I came back to the boat while it was still raining, I realized it was going to be more of a challenge to go down on the boat without getting my butt wet especially when I had a skirt on.  No fear, my super hero hopped on the boat and swooped me onto his shoulders and slowly raised me down.  Good thing no one was there with a camera. 

Watched a movie for awhile and then bed. 

January 26, 2017- Still in Staniel Cay

6:00am- Woke up to the rocking boat this morning.  It isn't raining however very windy.  The winds are suppose to calm down in a couple of days and then we will continue our journey. 

Tried to do some exercises while the boat was moving sideways.  I find it difficult to stay on a regular exercise program when moving from one spot to another but Steve and I will walk or ride our bikes.  

10:00am- Steve and I walked around town to explore.  It is comical how they have a house with a small sign saying Laundromat/Liquor store.  You walk in and one side has all the washing machines and the other side it liquor.  All their stores look like a personal house that is converted to grocery, hardware etc.  The small airport is in walking distance.  Only very small planes occupy it. We were going to go snorkelling in the caves however the winds where 20-25 knots and they do not recommend it unless better conditions.  

12:00pm- After lunch, Steve decided to try and get the water maker going while I made a spaghetti sauce for tonight   He still needs a new valve however he figured out how to get it going.  Good thing he is a plumber by trade. 

3:00pm- Steve and I decided to go explore the ocean side of the Cay.  We walked thru a cemetery.  I am always fascinated with old cemeteries.

We had to take a narrow path to the ocean.  

 

We walked on the Atlantic side of Staniel Cay

Once we got there it was absolutely breathtaking and very windy.  

It was sure blowing and you can feel the mist from the waves

 

You never know whether you can get back on the boat because of the tides. 

 

5:15pm-  We worked up an appetite for my homemade spaghetti dinner.  Along with some wine, I serenaded Steve by playing my guitar.  What a lovely night to sit out in the cockpit. 

9:00pm- We watched a movie and then to bed in our rocking boat. The wifi sucks here.  Even with my data plan, for some reason, I can only get limited service.  I don't understand it when there is a huge satellite tower in town. Interesting. 

January 27, 2018 - Still windy
 

6:30am- Woke up to another windy day.  Don't have to do yoga on the boat since we are forever balancing everytime we are on the boat. 

 

10:30am- After having a great breakfast, Steve and I explored more of the beautiful Cay. 

We are getting our exercise walking but really enjoying the view. 

 

An old Bahamian racing boat # 17

  

Steve was the only one who actually went in the pool and then laid in the sun a bit while I finished one of my paintings. 

 

Wish I could grow bananas on my banana tree at home

 

Dr. Jim & John doing some serious reading

 

 

Notice our boat beside the big power boat.

 4:00pm- Started making pizza for 5:00 when Dr Jim's crew will be joining us for pizza and margaritas. 

Steve beside Katrina & Jan

John, Susan & Nancy

5:00pm-Jim, Nancy, John, Susan, Jan and Katrina all came over for drinks, pizza and salad.  What a nice evening.  Katrina and Jan are flying out of Staniel Cay tomorrow.  We will probably be here until Tuesday due to the weather.

Susan, Nancy & Dr. Jim

 

7:30pm- Steve and I watch a movie and then off to bed.

January 28, 2018

I treated Steve this morning with pancakes.  We then drove our bikes around town.  We found a building Thunderbolt Club and Pirate Jacks which where shamefully abandoned.  

We proceeded to explore more of the Cay.  

 

Today was the day.  I wanted to touch and go in the water with the Sharks.  They felt like soft sand paper and were not interested in Steve or I.  Who would of thought I would ever touch a shark. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  I cut Steve hair before we went out on the dinghy. We wanted to see if we could find the Thunderbolt Grotto cave hole where we could snorkel but it was too rough.  Thunderball Grotto apparently is supposedly one of the most exciting snorkelling trips. The James Bond movie Thunderball was filmed here as well as Never Say Never Again, Splash starring Tom Hanks and Into the Blue with Jessica Alba and Paul Walker.

Steve said on our way back from Georgetown maybe we will come back this way. 

   I later went to the pool and read while Steve spent time with Dr Jim and John. 

 

3:00pm-  Jan and Katrina left to go home from the Staniel Cay airport.  We saw their plane and I decided to take a photo of them flying over our boat.
 

 

We later went to the Marina bar and met great interesting people.  Paul, was the Captain of this new ship Horizon 120 and was from South Africa.

Horizon 120

Paul, the Captain with some of his crew

Dr. Jim's hero....diving for his cane

 

 

 While we were sitting talking to Captain Paul and some of the crew, Susan came by to say she dropped Dr. Jim's cane at the bottom of the sea while exiting the boat.  She didn't know what to do.  The Captain, Paul, volunteered one of his divers to go.  It was so funny because by the time I set up my camera, he was already in and out.  He sure earned some free drinks.

 

Steve and I had an extra FPYC burgee and we decided to hang it up in the Staniel Cay Yacht Club bar.

Steve hanging up the burgee

Can you see the FPYC Burgee?

 

Dr. Jim, John, Susan and Nancy joined us for drinks before dinner at the bar.

 

 

6:00pm- Steve and I went back to the boat and enjoyed a wonderful dinner.  We put away our bikes and got the boat ready for an early departure tomorrow morning.  We plan on going to Farmer's Cay.  The wind is suppose to calm down for a couple of days.