Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 We spent several hours during the morning over at the cruiser hut.  Duane did most of the heavy lifting- toting sand by the bucket to smooth out the surface around the hut.  Just a start - will need lots more help.  Hopefully others will volunteer.

That’s the only photo I took all day!  I did manage to do a few things aboard including bake some “mug cookies “ in the microwave.  They were a yummy treat and it didn’t add to the heat in the salon. We went in for sundown with just a few boats so a nice quieter gathering.

Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

We visited the other Manta in the anchorage - we met Bruce and Sandra on Namid.  This is their first time to Hog Cay (long time cruisers) so weren't too familiar with the trails.  Sandra was looking at a trail map on her phone - and it was the trail map I made 2 or 3 years ago and shared with many folks.  Cool that it's still circulating!

After a nice chat aboard Namid, we made plans to meet ashore and go for a hike.

The cruiser hut is looking a bit battered.  We'll have to hire the local fellows to patch the thatching as I don't think any of the cruisers have the skills.   Hurricane Michelle (I think) really battered the west facing cays.  Washed out huge amounts of sand.

 

 Really hard to see in these photos, but several feet of sand is just gone.

 I posed in front of the shoreline - this used to be solid sand - gently sloping to the ocean.

  

The old "volleyball court" is now a tumble of sheets of soft limestone that has been uncovered when the sand all washed away.

This is where the "tent" would be erected for the Valentines auction.  We would normally be sitting on soft sand here but now you can see it's just bare limestone.  To put it back the way it was would require a dump truck, not shovels!

I guess we always want things to stay the way they were, Mother Nature says different!

But it's still beautiful!!

We decided to go up Bernie's trail - we were surprised that it didn't look like anyone had hiked it this year.  The trail was strewn with lots of leaves and debris.  

Beautiful view of the two Mantas!! 

Sandra and Bruce from Namid along the trail.

Gorgeous views along the highest point on the trail

The ocean side was kicked up from the strong east winds.

Back to the boats for lunch and relaxing.  A nice little rainstorm came up and gave the boat a nice washdown.

Before I knew it, all the dinghies from the anchorage went ashore for sundowners.  I was baking banana nut bread so had to wait a little while for that to finish.  

Met some new folks and caught up with some "old" ones....

Forgot to mention - at some point a pretty squid decided to jump from the ocean to the in-hospitable deck of our boat.  Unfortunately, I didn't notice until it was too late....

We'll probably be at Hog or close-by for a while.  There are fairly strong east winds forecast for the next 7-10 days.....good place to be!

Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Not a terribly exciting day, we relaxed during the morning and in the late afternoon, we put up the main and sales about 14 miles down Hog Cay.   It was a Buster, but nice sail. We got there just before dark, no one was on the beach. There are 10 total boats anchored along the island.  One is a Manta that we have never met,Namid. We cheerfully waved as we passed them in the Anchorage. I’m sure we’ll meet them tomorrow.

We will also see if we can help repair the “hut” as there are reports that it was damaged during a hurricane this summer.  

Low Water Harbour, Buena Vista Cay, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Beautiful light wind day.  Time for some snorkeling.

Nice triggerfish. 

Sleeping nurse shark

Beautiful queen angel fish 

Lots of lobsters!

Into the freezer as I still have leftover scampi from last night  

Low Water Harbour, Buena Vista, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Just a long travel day.  All day motoring in the outside deep ocean so we could fish.   Nothing caught, just one gigantic pull on a rod.  That one got away. Arrived at Buena Vista Cay late in the afternoon.  The boat Wolfpack 2 was anchored nearby. Troy came over to visit and pick up the fishing permit we renewed for him in Georgetown.  His wife Katie will join him in Jan.  Troy had too many lobsters on board an gave us a couple.  We’ll go hunt our own tomorrow.  

Water Cay, Jumentos, Bahamas

 Just a lazy travel day.  Leaving Georgetown.

Winds around 6 knots all day so we didn’t bother raising the sails. Approaching Hog Cay cut, one other boat was waiting for the tide to change for this shallow pass.

There is a barge anchor just outside the channel with lots of construction still in progress.

Uneventful and easy all day motor to Water Cay.  Further south tomorrow on the outside so we’ll be able to fish!

Georgetown, Exumas, Bahamas

 Up with the sun…

We had a nice sail - not a huge amount of wind but it was nice to travel with no engine noise most of the way to Georgetown.

All we really needed in town was to renew our fishing license.  This is a new process this year and the Bahamian government doesn’t have it quite sorted out yet. It’s very inconvenient to have to come to a custom office every 30 days. But if their country and their rules.

I know it’s fairly early in the season, but the dinghy dock was almost empty!  There have been times in the past where the entire dock was loaded with dinghies two deep.

You know you’re in Georgetown when you go thru the tunnel to the dinghy dock.

That’s it for the day, we did stop by the grocery store for just a few extra fresh items. Will be heading out to.Water Cay in the Jumentos tomorrow.

Little Darby Island, Exumas, Bahamas

Lots of pretty scenery as well motored into the wind southbound.

Where the 1% vacation - Musha Cay, a private island.

More pretty little uninhabited cays.

Duane spotted a small cove on Little Darby Island that we had never noticed before.  The wind conditions were just right for us to try it out as an anchorage.  There was a swell that made entering the cove a little scary, but all is well and it’s absolutely beautiful.

Since we had most of the afternoon to relax, Time for a little exploring.  Good to be swimming but no fish or lobsters were taken.

Back to the boat.  It is such a sweet little spot we have all to ourselves!

We’ll be up early tomorrow for a long sail to Georgetown.