Wednesday, June 17, 2009











Spanish Wells and Home

We crossed from Eleuthera in 25knt winds and 4 to7 foot. We passed thru Current Cut, (properly named) doing 10 knots, running with the current. At Spanish Wells we picked up a mooring and planed on exploring. But the reefer came on and it was not putting out any water, so Mac went into the engine room to prime the pump. Getting that done he noticed that the shelving unit in the engine room, that holds spare parts, the refer compressor and the pump for our watermaker had collapsed. Needless to say, there was no exploring done that day. Mac did a temporary fix and we went ashore to find a carpenter. We found one and said he would come on Monday. So we moved to Spanish Wells Yacht Haven Monday AM. The carpenter showed up that afternoon. Inspections were made and he said he would be back on Tuesday. Tuesday came and he called the dock master and told him to tell us he could not do the job. So onto carpenter 2. He came and said the job was too big for him. So onto carpenter 3. No show. The dock master then contacted carpenter number 4. He came Friday afternoon and did a temporary fix which should hold til we get to Brunswick where the entire shelf will have to be re-built.

After the contact was made on Tuesday and things were set for Friday we decided to take the fast ferry from Spanish Wells to Harbour Island. This Island is a combination of gift shops, restaurants, colonial homes and two marinas, which are totally unprotected. Many early loyalists built this charming town. We meet up with Lou, Aly and Caroline off of Aly Cat to have lunch. We all decided that we all have had way too much Bahamian food! Then we all toured the island for the rest of the day. Shopped. Walked the pink beaches. (The coral actually makes the sand pink.) We had to be back on board the ferry at 3:30. We had some time to kill so we went to a resort, Rock House and had a drink.

On our way back to Spanish Wells we decided that we had not seen all of Harbour Island so we decided that since we had nothing to do Thursday that we would return and see the rest of the Island. We toured and meet the folks from Aly Cat for lunch at the Rock House. What a great lunch and fabulous atmosphere. Rooms here rent for $400 to $1200 per night with a three night minimum.

We left Spanish Wells on Sunday, headed for Sandy Point, Abaco, we thought… The trip was not bad, except for the thunderstorm that surrounded us. Even with radar, we could not run from it; going back was not an option, it was traveling from whence we came so we just rode it out for 1 ½ hour. We realized by then that we might get into Sandy Point by dark, but it was going to be a long day and we had to leave by 4am to get to Lucaya at a reasonable time. Also, if there had been any more problems daylight entry into Sand Point would not happen; not an option that we could accept, so we altered course for Lucaya. Throughout the thunderstorm, whenever there was lightening we thought of our friends Harold and Val on La Buena Vida who got struck by lightening crossing the Gulf Stream :(

The night crossing was one of the most pleasant we have ever completed. Once we braved the thunderstorms, the seas flattened out and we had a moon-lit sky smattered with stars to guide our way. All the freighters and cruise ships were either paralleling our course or opposing it. We arrived in Lucaya by 0900 hrs; a trip well done.

We tour Lucaya, shop for trinkets and enjoy non-Bahamian, wonderful food for the next tree days as we get to know our boat neighbors, William and Francis on Alexia. The squally weather relents for a day and we both decide that this is the day to cross. We have the most delightful daytime Gulf Stream crossing to West Palm Beach. We hop up the coast with Alexia sharing great company and wonderful food at interesting restaurants and aboard both boats. Delightful!

We have been out of the US for six wonderful months, but now it is back to reality for a few months. Boat projects abound and we must mix in some fun! Our phones are up and operational, so feel free to give us a call. Mac: 727-410-4468 Shirley: 727-410-4707

Remember the blog link is http://catspawlog.blogspot.com/.