We dropped the mooring at Wardrick Wells and left the
field with more grace than when we entered. Of course the current was running
the wrong way, but there was just enough space to turn the boat around without
having to back up. Heard a boat calling later on the radio that ran aground on
their way in, so be alert if you visit this place. The beauty of the spot is
well worth dealing with a little current. Back out on the Exuma Banks, the
winds were 13-17 and we were able to motor sail for almost two hours before the
wind was on the nose. The wind lessened to 12 kts as we rounded Sandy Cay and
motored into the anchorage at Big Majors Spot. Forty-eight vessels are anchored
here and we are one of the smallest boats. It is a large area, protected from
every direction but the west and there are three beaches on an unpopulated
island. The Cays to the North have small resorts and just to the south is
Staniel Cay with an actual settlement. Anchoring in 8 feet of water at low
tide, we could clearly see the anchor and chain settle in. Looking at the
nearest beach, it appeared to be populated. Three, not so little, pigs were
cooling off in the water. Someone mentioned on the VHF that there were enough
boats for a pot luck, so we headed in with chips and Beth’s bar cheese at 1630.
By 1700 there were 24 dinghies and lots of food. The beach had a little cave
and beautiful white sand. There were no pigs, but for the first time since
leaving NC, we had biting insects. We left the beach party just as the sun was
setting to the sound of the nightly conch salute. Tried reaching Jim & Earl
on the radio again, but no joy. After that we checked the computer charts and
noticed a sailboat coming in on AIS. S/Y Tenacious is 45 meters long with a
beam of 8 meters – quite a sailboat! We turned in early as we all had a
little too much sun yesterday. I fell asleep while Noah was listening to the
first Harry Potter book on CD. Woke up at midnight for a chinese fire drill as
it had started to rain and the hatches needed to be closed. This morning we had
a little more rain, so I opened the deck fill to try and capture some for our
water supply. The winds have died and, for the first time this trip, the sea is
completely smooth. We can see the bottom all around the boat, just like in the
sailing advertisements. Plan to move the boat to the north end of the anchorage
since the winds are supposed to pick up again out of that direction tonight.
Will probably take a dinghy trip to town and see what provisions we can find.
field with more grace than when we entered. Of course the current was running
the wrong way, but there was just enough space to turn the boat around without
having to back up. Heard a boat calling later on the radio that ran aground on
their way in, so be alert if you visit this place. The beauty of the spot is
well worth dealing with a little current. Back out on the Exuma Banks, the
winds were 13-17 and we were able to motor sail for almost two hours before the
wind was on the nose. The wind lessened to 12 kts as we rounded Sandy Cay and
motored into the anchorage at Big Majors Spot. Forty-eight vessels are anchored
here and we are one of the smallest boats. It is a large area, protected from
every direction but the west and there are three beaches on an unpopulated
island. The Cays to the North have small resorts and just to the south is
Staniel Cay with an actual settlement. Anchoring in 8 feet of water at low
tide, we could clearly see the anchor and chain settle in. Looking at the
nearest beach, it appeared to be populated. Three, not so little, pigs were
cooling off in the water. Someone mentioned on the VHF that there were enough
boats for a pot luck, so we headed in with chips and Beth’s bar cheese at 1630.
By 1700 there were 24 dinghies and lots of food. The beach had a little cave
and beautiful white sand. There were no pigs, but for the first time since
leaving NC, we had biting insects. We left the beach party just as the sun was
setting to the sound of the nightly conch salute. Tried reaching Jim & Earl
on the radio again, but no joy. After that we checked the computer charts and
noticed a sailboat coming in on AIS. S/Y Tenacious is 45 meters long with a
beam of 8 meters – quite a sailboat! We turned in early as we all had a
little too much sun yesterday. I fell asleep while Noah was listening to the
first Harry Potter book on CD. Woke up at midnight for a chinese fire drill as
it had started to rain and the hatches needed to be closed. This morning we had
a little more rain, so I opened the deck fill to try and capture some for our
water supply. The winds have died and, for the first time this trip, the sea is
completely smooth. We can see the bottom all around the boat, just like in the
sailing advertisements. Plan to move the boat to the north end of the anchorage
since the winds are supposed to pick up again out of that direction tonight.
Will probably take a dinghy trip to town and see what provisions we can find.
