OH NO! Ran out of bread!

I think we did pretty good provisioning our boat with food for the trip.  But I knew I couldn't carry enough bread.

So I made some biscuits for breakfast.

They were OK.  Not terrible.  I just don't have my oven temp correct yet....and I don't have a thermometer!   Drenched in gravy, they were good!

 And since I had the flour out (I keep it in the fridge) I decided to try my hand at yeast bread.  In the pressure pot this time!

 Normal procedure, letting the dough rise.

The pressure pot.  The directions I am using call for the rubber seal to be removed, so you're really just using a heavy pot, not the pressure part.

This is an experiment for me - I'd read that folks line the pan with oatmeal.  But at the last minute I decided to use the little trivet to keep the dough off the bottom of the pan.

About 45 minutes on super low heat with the lid closed but no pressure regulator installed.

All done!  I am glad I used the trivet since the bottom did burn a bit where it contacted the actual bottom of the pan.

 I peeled the burnt edge and it's pretty good!  Not enough salt for my taste, so I'll adjust that next time!

"Pig Beach" aka Big Majors Spot

We moved the short distance over towards Staniel Cay to the "pig beach".  We've been here before, so it's not a big thrill...but it is a fine anchorage for the lighter east winds we're seeing.

We were surprised how many boats were here!   It feels crowded compared to where we've been recently!

I heard a turbine engine - and was a bit shocked to see this sea plane landing not 100 yards from the boat in the busy anchorage!

I looked up the N-number and it's a Cessna Caravan.  A passel of folks pealed out and headed down the beach to feed the pigs.  Travel'n in style!

The obligatory photos of the pigs.....the pigs looked more "well fed" this time, lots of tour boats going over, all armed with food/scraps.  

Strange novelty.

We found a little bit of snorkeling nearby, but it was not too interesting.

So we took the dinghy for a ride in search of better coral.

Found a little better area and got a bit of exercise.  All for now!

Sampson Cay

We puttered about in the dinghy -

And found a really nice snorkeling reef near these "rocks".  The current was very swift.

I finally got my camera settings worked out!

Look at all those fish!!

Sail to Sampson Cay

Wild ride again in the strong winds - headed south to Sampson Cay.  We're getting closer back to "civilization" so there were alot more sailboats out. 

Everyone having a glorious sail!

Including us.  It took 4 tacks to get there, but we did it using petroleum only to get in/out of the anchorages!

In between rain showers, we took a dinghy ride thru the middle of the island.  This area is dry at low tide.   The island itself is privately owned but we saw no one at any of the docks or pretty houses.  The marina is closed and there are "private" signs up everywhere.

Back to the boat before another little shower.

 View of the pretty island where we're anchored.

Warderick Wells Exuma Land and Sea Park

The sail from Shroud to Warderick Wells was long and windy!  30+ knots again, and from somewhat the wrong direction.  We had to tack several times so the 3 hour trip turned into more like 6 hours.  But, we used almost no "dinosaur fuel"!

Warderick Wells is the "headquarters" of the protected area called the Exuma Land and Sea Park.  It is a large area that permanently prohibits fishing to preserve the natural state. 

We went for a hike - over some of the same ground that we hiked several years ago.  Cool lizard - we've noticed that the lizards here all have "curly tails".

The trail led to the Exuma Sound side - churned up waves from all the wind.

And the hike led past "Boo Boo Hill" - where cruisers like to leave their signs showing their visit.  Some obviously go to a huge amount of trouble designing their sign.   We are mildly amused but didn't bother bringing a sign.   Looks like good firewood if you needed it!

Here there are "blowholes" in the limestone - when the waves from the sound are at just the right height and direction, water spouts up thru the blowholes.  Wasn't happening for us.  Back to a rolly anchorage for the night.

More Shroud Cay

Such a beautiful place!

Took the dinghy for a hike to some "Loyalist" ruins from the late 1700's.

There were 10 residences here built with mortar made from grinding conch shells.  Overgrown but you could clearly see the footprints of the small houses. 

This was a "beehive oven" where they fired the conch shells into ash to make the mortar.

The view from the residence area.  They farmed sisal - a plant that looks like aloe - it's fiber is used to make rope and paper.

And just a joyride along the craggy limestone waterfront.