After several hectic weeks moving on to the boat and making some last minute repairs and modifications we finally departed for West End, Grand Bahama on July 8, 2009. The Gulf Stream crossing was smooth and uneventful, and our brief stay at Old Bahama Bay resort at West End was pleasant. The next day we moved on to Great Sale Cay where we anchored for the evening. We are working our way through the Abaco chain of islands first.
Enroute to Allans-Pensecola Cay on the 10th we responded to a "May Day" call from a 42' Sport Fisher "Timberfish" taking on water. They were about 2 miles north of us between Carters Cay and Paw Paw rocks. Due to shallow water we could not go directly to them without a long diversion so we ancohored and launched the dinghy. By the time we reached them they had slowed the leak to the point that their bilge pumps were overcoming the inward flow of water. They had hit a rock or coral head at speed. Bent the shaft, pulled the gear box away from the engine and created a big hole where the shaft goes thru the hull. ( A week later I saw the boat out of the water in Green Turtle-what a mess!). They had things under control and a tow boat enroute so we continued on our way.
We spent 3 days anchored at Allans-Pensecola which is a deserted island with several other beautiful cays nearby. The pictures above show a beach we visited on Umbrella Cay. On the 11th we were joined in the achorage by Ole Parker and Vanessa aboard Mackenzie E from LYC.
Unfortunately, Debby fell on our stairs and cracked several ribs, so for over a week she was in considerable pain.
We continued our journey on the 13th traveling to White sound on Green Turtle Cay. We stayed at Green Turtle for 4 nights visiting the historic town of New Plymouth several times including a trip and dinner at the famous Miss Emily's Blue Bee Bar. In "its a small world department" staying at our marina was Charlie on Venture 2. Twice in the past on different trips to the Exumas we have run into Charlie, a former pilot with Fine Air and a true character.
On the 17th we moved on down to Baker's Bay at the north end of Guana Cay. The Jim Moran fleet of boats was anchored there also including a 175' mothership, a 58' sport fisher, a 60' express cruiser and a 36' sport fisher. Each boat is named Gallant Lady. I don't know how they keep them straight. With the wind out of the SW it was uncomfortable there so we went to Fishers Bay off Guana on the 18th. There we were joined by Mackenzie E and Malcolm and Penny Farrel's First Light also of the LYC.
The pictures of the girls at the pool are after the "frozen T shirt" contest at Grabbers the local beach bar. Vanessa from Mackenzie E, in the green T shirt won. In a frozen T shirt contest the contestants start with a folded T shirt that has been dipped in a pool then frozen solid. The first person to warm the shirt sufficiently to get it on wins. They can warm it any way possible on their body. All good fun.
On the 20th we along with First Light headed on down to Harborview Marina in Marsh Harbor in anticipation of several days of bad weather. Dave and Kathy Gillen's Long Run is here also. They are members of LYC but keep their boat here full time. Kathy is here now and Dave is commuting on weekends.
