Little Ragged Cut, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Over to the airport in the dinghies, Jolly picked us up in a pickup truck for the short ride into Duncantown. 

We were joined in the pickup bed by Hanse and Ete on the other catamaran in the anchorage (not sure of the boat name). Edit:boat name is Taimada.  They're from Germany and have done a circumnavigation!  Really nice folks.

 

Jolly stopped by to pick up Alma.  We'd met her a couple of times when we landed our dinghies over the years on the beach near the airplane.  She is Percy's widow - Percy is the man that built the "Airplane House" years ago from the wrecked airplane.

 

When we arrived at Phicol's lodge we were happy to see Charlene and Myron.  You may recall that Myron is the "birdman" who rescued the pigeon from Meshugga a couple of years ago.

 

Several of the cruisers had come over from Hog Cay.

 

Donna chatting with Alma.

 

After a good bit of chatting, they announced that dinner was ready!  

The meal was delicious!  And WAY too much.  But that's part of the fun!

 

After dinner, the Royal Bahamian Defense Force members took a group photo on the porch.

And we all sat around chatting some more...

 Donna happily doing a bit of babysitting.

 

 

Back inside it was time for a few games.....mostly based on what we played as kids - Musical Chairs.  But in this case, it was Musical Cups.

 

Round and round the table we went - when the island music stopped - grab a cup!  The one left without a cup is out of the game....

 

Good, loud fun. 

 

I lasted a few rounds....

 

Next game was a modified "grab the cup" game.  This time it was Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes.  Different body parts were to be touched until the announcer called "CUP" - point was to be the ones to grab the cups on the floor.

 

Here's a video so you get the "vibe"....

 

 All the games were so simple and fun.  The kids all having a great time.

 

 

And before we knew it, darkness was approaching so Jolly loaded us all back up in the pickup for the ride back to the airport. 

What a fun afternoon and we're so happy to have been invited to participate!

Little Ragged Cut, Ragged Island, Bahamas

 I forgot to add this video of the ray from our snorkel yesterday. Just so relaxing to watch them swim.

Little Ragged Cut, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 We are invited to Duncantown on Chirstmas afternoon for a neighborhood gathering.  They told us that we didn't need to bring anything, but I thought we should anyway! 

Leslie is going to make brownies to take (which would be my go-to item...) so I'm branching out and will take some of the "Charm recipe" caramel corn.  (We call it "crack" it's so good).

 

Five bags of microwave popcorn.

 

Baking at low temp to dry it out and make it crispy.

 

I made half plain and half with peanuts like Cracker Jacks. 

 

Bagged up and ready to go.

Then is was out to the reefs for a snorkel.

 

Still overcast but enough sun to have nice visibility.

 

We were treated to a couple of passes by this nice size ray.

 

Otherwise just a lovely snorkel.

 

Finally some sunshine but still high overcast clouds.

Back at the ranch, Leslie and Ralph had invited us over for a Christmas Eve dinner.  I made some fresh rolls.  

 

 

 

 

Dinner was spectacular and a real treat!

 

Wonderful friends and fabulous hosts.  We chatted the night away.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Little Ragged Cut, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 There was actually some sunshine first thing in the morning!

We joined Leslie and Ralph for some snorkeling.  First we took the dinghy out to see how the wind/waves were at the outer cays.  A little rough yet for snorkeling.

 

Clouds starting to block out those solar rays.....

We just went out to the Cocoa reef on the protected side of Little Ragged.  Not spectacular coral but a nice chance to get in the water.

 

Saw a few lobster and one hogfish but none brought home.

 

Cloud cover and spitting mist made for a less-than stellar experience.

 

Back to the boats.

 

Later in the afternoon we went ashore for sundown.  Ralph and Leslie had a conch that needed to be cleaned so Ralph did the messy honors.

 

Nice to be back!

 

No sunset photos.....sigh.

 

But Ralph came prepared for a small bonfire.  I guess he'll have to be the firebug this year in the absence of Nicholas and Russ!  Fun relaxing day.