Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 The winds were finally light so we went for a really nice snorkel.  We were able to go to the north end of Hog Cay to the first bay on the ocean side where there are some really large coral heads.

 

 

 

 The water was a bit murky with the waves coming in from the ocean....saw a decent sized hammerhead shark.  Hard to see, this was the only photo I got.  But it was definately a hammerhead.

A lovely ray sleeping.  We also saw several really large groupers.  We may be back in a couple of weeks when the season is open for groupers.

We did manage to get a couple of decent lobsters.  No fish spearing while the shark was nearby....

Back to the boat, lovely anchorage.

We did go in for sundowners.  The usual crowd.  A couple of boats we know from previous years are here now.  (C Language and Ursa Minor).
 

One group playing Mexican Train dominoes.  Their domino set has numbers instead of pips.  I think I like that idea - I hate counting pips during the game! 

 

 We didn't stay all the way to sunset, opting for sundown on the boat.

 

It was a lovely one, but no green flash. 

 

Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Not a terribly photogenic day....just some boat chores and cooking.  

We did get off the boat for a couple of hours with a nice sundown visit at the cruiser hut.

 

 The sunset was lovely - I saw a hint of a green flash at the very last second. 

Quite a few boats at Hog Cay now....the Valentine's party is just a week away now.

 

Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 A beautiful day....sunny but still a bit on the breezy side.  Still using a light blanket at night.  Usually we sleep with just a sheet and the hatch open.... Weird weather!

  

After a couple of hours trying to figure out a business accounting issue involving a mis-match when trying to reconcile an account....finally figured it out.  After lunch we decided to brave a snorkel trip. Earlier the water temp was 72°F but is now 75°F.    I donned my full wetsuit to try to lesson the shock of the chilly water!

We took the dinghy up to then north end of Hog Cay and it wasn't too choppy. 

 

 Unfortunately, the visibility was not the greatest, not the worst either. A nice size ray swam slowly by. 

Some juvenile grunts.

I spotted and Duane speared a very nice lobster!  Unfortunately he was deep in a hole and the tentacles were lost in the struggle to pull him out.

On our return to the boat, we had a nice warm shower - the sun is finally at an angle to give us excess power.  

 

Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 We took the dinghy to the shore south of the cruiser hut to get a look at a table that had been washed away in the hurricane this past summer.  Maxine had asked if we could look for it.

This is all we could find of the table....not sure if it can be reclaimed.  Maxine is going to see if she can send over some materials to rebuild it.....we'll see if that works out or not.

Lovely day....

 

  

A gathering for a cookout was planned for the evening.  Cruisers got the fire going and we all cooked meat on the grills we brought along. 

  

Nice gathering with lots of nice kiddos.  

Lots of conversations, of course.  And a yummy meal!  I had marinated some of the last of the tuna we had caught on the way south and it was delicious.

 

 

Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 We had a rather nice day....with the nice sunny skies, I did a few loads of laundry that had been piling up.

  

Beautiful anchorage.

We took the dinghy over to Duncan Town.  Passing the Hog Cay anchorage, starting to fill up with boats from Southside.

 

 Approaching the marked channel to Duncan Town.  Choppy waves that were at our back on the trip over.....you know what that means....a sloppy ride back into the wind on the return trip!

Mid-tide....water rushing into the channel from the flats.

 

Up the hill to Maxine's store.

Not a lot going on in town.....had a nice visit with Maxine and picked up a few items.  Talked with her about the upcoming Valentine's party and about palm fronds to repair the cruiser hut.

We went in for sundown at the cruiser hut.  A few new faces and some we've met before.  A couple of the boats have some very nice kids on board.  This threesome of young ladies sailed the dinghy back to their boat unassisted! 

 

 Nice gathering at the hut but no green flash.
 

Hog Cay, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Finally a nice sunny day, we motored up to Hog Cay since I needed a change in scenery!!!  Wind was in the wrong direction so we didn't bother with the sails.

 

We opted for the quieter north anchorage.   Lovely scenery.  

 

 The sunset was very pretty with shimmery light up into the sky.

 

Little Ragged Cut, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Broken record here....windy and chilly.  I know, 66 °F

 is not that cold....but I'm more accustomed to 76 °F !

At least the sky was mostly blue!  The batteries recovered somewhat but will need another sunny day to be fully charged. 

 

Mid-day a skiff with Bahamians (I think from one of the fishing boats still anchored nearby) came to shore and dove for conch.  I guess they must have been itching for something to do as well.  The shoreline was choppy all day with the northwest winds.

I was in the mood for some different bread so got out the recipe or hamburger buns.

 

 Turned out lovely. 

The sunset was brilliant and I saw just a hint of a green flash!

 

Little Ragged Cut, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Another less-than-ideal weather day.  The morning was very grey and rainy for hours. 

We worked on getting all our business info to the accountant for taxes.  Never fun but a must do..... 

I heard an aircraft engine and went on deck as this twin engine airplane took off in low ceilings.  It looked like they were closer to us than the photo appears.  

 

 At different points during the day, the wind was either howling or dead calm.  Here we were just hovering over our anchor chain.  Before sunset we cranked up the engines and pulled hard on the anchor to make sure all was still well as we had some 30 knot west winds forecast overnight.

 

Sunset was mostly cloudy to the west but pretty looking to the east (due to reflected light I assume)!  There are 8 boats in the cut and I counted 10 boats anchored at the Southside anchorage plus two Bahamian fishing boats.  All seeking protection from the prolonged west winds.

Little Ragged Cut, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Well, I hate to be a Debbie Downer....but the weather kinda stinks.  This season's weather has not been very cooperative.  At least it's warm now.  

Still breezy and the winds continue to clock around cyclically every 5-7 days, making it necessary to stay here in the protected cut anchorage when the winds are strong and from the west.  

More rain today.  I guess we'll read another book and bake some cookies!

 

Little Ragged Cut, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Nothing much to report today!  The winds are still fairly strong but the temperature has gotten milder.  Beautiful sunrise though.

 

Little Ragged Cut, Ragged Islands, Bahamas

 Feeling a bit boat-bound, we decided to make a trek up to Duncan Town.  We had a nice contingent with the same feeling.

 

Over the hill with Duncan Town in the distance.

The mailboat is still at the dock and leaving soon.  Lots of activity with a Bahamian fishing boat anchored off Little Ragged.  

 Townsfolk joined in bringing all their recent catch for shipment on the mailboat.   Kind of organized chaos.

 

 The cruisers got a few groceries at Maxines and did some visiting.  Note the jackets as we were all a bit chilly at 66°F!  (Thanks to Deb from 360 for the photo)

 

The trek back to the dinghies was pleasant as the day warmed up.  Don't often see us in long sleeves!
 

 

Back to the boat....cloudy skies are making solar power generation a bit of a struggle.

Jerry and Donna invited us over for a wonderful taco dinner and games in the evening.  I forgot to snap a photo but it was a wonderful time!