Spanish Wells

Hi everyone,

We are currently enjoying Spanish Wells, which is a small island just off the NW coast of Eleuthera. We had spent a couple of nights at Hatchet Bay, and then sailed up to Current Cut on Friday. This is a potentially dangerous cut that everybody seems to have horror stories about, but we had no problems. After transiting the cut we anchored off the town and rowed in. A really charming place. Very lush, quiet, and with delightful little houses. We only spent a couple of hours there, but it will not be soon forgotten. We then sailed up to Royal Island, where we anchored for the night and visited with Don and D of Southern Cross.

This morning we headed over to Spanish Wells and were able to pick up a mooring. This town is really cool and I will post more about it because we will be here for several days until Uncle Mike says farewell. He will fly out of Birth Eleuthera on Tuesday. A bad cold front goes thru Tuesday Eve.

Will post again soon, Charlie

Photos

Beach on Spanish Wells

Laundry line in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera

In front of the town library in the town of Current, Eleuthera 

No shortage of cats on this island!

Uncle Mike enjoying the beach near Current Cut

Abandoned dock by Current Cut

Ruins at Royal Island

Another beautiful beach on Eleuthera opposite Alabaster Bay

Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera

Hi everyone,

Another awesome day! Wind picked up last night and was blowing 25 knots today. This morning we rowed ashore and had a great hike over to the ocean beach. Very rough over there. After returning we pulled up anchor and headed north on the Banks. Given the buildup of waves we decided to put into Hatchet Bay in order to ensure a smooth anchorage. Although many cruisers are rather dismissive of the township we found it to be a charming place. Rowing in to a shoreside bar we were entertained by Emmet who regaled us with some of his original and good music. He is a very good salesman for Eleuthera.

Yesterday Uncle Mike initiated fishing activities by purchasing some line and lures. After setting everything up he cast out the lure as we were moving along at a good clip shortly after leaving Governor's Harbour. In less than a minute he had a hard strike and within 15 seconds all the line, lure, and swivel was gone. Back to square one. This is why I get discouraged from fishing. I think I need to fish with a wire cable and a grappling hook. But Mike was undeterred and had it set up again in short order. No fish yet but we are hopeful!

Mary may be able to post photos.

All the best, Charlie

Alabaster Bay, Eleuthera

Hi everyone,

This is attempt #3 at this blog post. We are at Alabaster Bay and it is a really beautiful place. I will attempt a longer blog tomorrow. Will get Mary to post pics.

Best to all, Charlie

Rock Sound

Hi all,

We have spent a couple of nights here and I realise it is update time. We had been on the move for 3 days, wanting to get a spot with westerly protection from the same storm that has hammered the US. We spent a night at Bennett Harbour, Cat Island, which was a lovely spot. Then we had a nice rousing 60 miles sail here to Rock Sound where our speed averaged about 6 and a half knots until we got to the last 5 miles which was dead to windward. I caved in and used the motor.

We really like this little town. There are quite a few really cute little traditional small houses with bougainvillea erupting from behind stone walls or picket fences. Pastel colours on the buildings and hand painted signs advertising businesses complete the picture. The only discordant note is the trash strewn about, as is the case in many other parts of the country. This is very troubling to tourists and I am surprised the government does not do more to address the problem.

Charlie

Photos

The Hermitage at Cat Island.

Enjoying the views from the highest point in the Bahamas, a “mountain” of 206’.

Dinner party on White Seal in Georgetown! Ratatouille, roasted chicken, salad, and a whole lot of rum...

Rafted up with friends for our last night in Elizabeth Harbor.

Anchor’s away!

A friend’s drone got some really awesome photos of our boats. He’s @fuirmontreal on Instagram and they’re documenting their travels with some really spectacular videos.

Cat Island

Hi Everyone,

We had been at Georgetown for a very long time, nearly a month, and it was time to go. Yesterday afternoon we pulled the anchor and traveled about an hour within the bay, to the Red Shanks anchorage. We were joined there by Mary's friends, who rafted up next to us, and with whom we enjoyed a fine last evening. I will ask Mary to post some photos.

This morning we got underway a little before 7, and in about an hour's time we were out on the ocean. Beautiful day, but very light wind. Since we wanted to get to our anchorage at Cat Island before dark, 50 miles away, we started the engine and motorsailed most of the way. Even with the engine loafing  along it was magical. Mary had a nice selection of music and with the gentle swell it just seemed perfect. We watched Stocking Island disappear over the horizon, and a few hours later saw Cat Island rise up out of the sea. After dropping the anchor and launching the dinghy we had about an hour of daylight, so we hiked up to the Hermitage, on the highest point of the Bahamas. The place is beyond magical, and we stayed till the bugs drove us away at dusk. It was all built, singlehandedly, by Father Jerome. The padre came to the Bahamas in the early 1900's to replace wooden churches with stone ones. When he retired he kept himself busy by building this Hermitage for his own use. It is lovely, with unreal views, and I am happy to see it is in great shape with tons of great maintenance. Mary will post photos.

We will only be on Cat Island for a couple of days due to approaching bad weather, but this island is special.

Best, Charlie