Breezing Into George Town

Mike: Yesterday, we left our sand beach oasis at Point Santa Maria and sailed the 20nm to the south east entrance for Elizabeth Harbour. From there, it was about 2nm through reef and sand bar infested waters requiring Alison (bow babe) to be point person at the bow while we advanced at a miserly pace based on instructions from her. As our sailor friends already know, this is George Town. Also known as Chicken Harbour owing to the many sailors that venture south, this point is the last of the easy sailing points on the way to the Caribbean. From here, the going is southeast toward the Virgin and Leeward Islands. Right into the prevailing winds. The distances get greater between landfalls necesitating overnight passage making. Bruce Van Sant, the author of the book "A Gentleman's Guide To Passages South", dubbed it 'The Thorny Path'. Many never go any further, concerned with weather windows and all manor of other foibles. So this is as far as they get. They stay and enjoy the company of numerous others in the same situation. There's daily volley on the beach and endless pot lucks.

We anchored just off from Regatta Point, and while the crew put the dingy together, I got shined up, possibly even looking respectable for the customs and immigration folks who were in need of a visit. This was taken care of without difficulty or delay, but the cruising kitty took a hit with the $300US fee. Still, I'm not complaining, the weather's great, we've sailed practically the entire way with the fuel tank just starting to show below the full mark, the spinnaker's been full and the crew is working well together although I wonder whether I'm getting my fair share of the rum rations.

Today will be a day of floating. No wake up call was set for rise and shine this morning. Just sleeping in as long as we wanted. The guide book suggested that there was a cruiser's net, but we couldn't find it. About 9:30am, a dolphin and her young pup appeared beside our boat and entertained us with hours of cavorting around the boat. Check out the pic. Alison and I wasted no time in getting in the water with our snorkel gear and underwater camera. You'll all have to wait for those shots since they're 35mm. While they didn't come up close to us like they do at Marineland, they came well within camera range. The hams! The young one was especially playfull, leaping out of the water and landing on her (his?) back. It's incredible to hear the sounds that they make. Awesome!

Lunch was had over at the Peace and Plenty - a great resort with great food and reasonably priced. Tonight, we'll hang out here at George Town and tomorrow we'll move over to the anchorage at Stocking Island to see what sort of mischief we can get into there. We'll be here now for a number of days awaiting the arrival of a fifth crew member, Ann, who's Bill's S.O.

We haven't posted in the past few days due to internet difficulties, but having access to high speed internet allowed Alison and I to upload some of the pics we'd taken over the past two weeks and post them up to the blog. They're put under the section that's appropriate, so you'll need to scroll back and take a gander.

Regarding the outboard engine problem, I had fashioned a replacement gasket and installed it. I'm happy to report, that so far my amateur fabrication and repair is working well. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's a lasting permanent repair.

Lastly, we'd like to thank everyone who emailed us regarding the tropical storm (Alberto) that was brewing in the gulf. We did know of it from the daily weather reports and forecasts that we collect via satellite each day. It was hundreds of miles to the south west and never a threat.

Alison: It's hard to believe that we are actually here in George Town. We've heard so much about George Town from other cruisers and now we finally get a chance to experience this place for ourselves. Although, after navigating our way in, we did wonder if it was called Chicken Harbour because people, once into the harbour, need to gather their courage to navigate themselves out. It is beautiful, with a turquoise waters and sand beaches. Of course, the momma dolphin and her baby were the hightlight of the day.

We said good-bye to our newly made cruising buddies, Steve and Wendy on Obsession. While we're spending a number of days here, they are heading off for the Florida coast.

Tonight, it's off to shore to sample Bahamian cuisine. But before that, it will be an afternoon siesta and then before dinner drinks onboard. Yes, it is a tough life!