Hope Town Lighthouse

Monday 24th - We return to the lighthouse in the morning and climb the 120 feet to the top although we can't get outside onto the railing. The lighthouse is the only one left using kerosene for the light and one of three left that are manual. The mantle sits inside a Fresnel lens array that gives out five narrow beams of light that rotate around every 15 seconds although here I should add that important bahamian adverb "usually". The mechanism that rotates the light has to be wound up every couple of hours so though it's an impression sight when you go to bed with the narrow beams sweeping through the night warning seafarers of the reef, when I got up about 4am for a pee. It had stopped rotating. I think it's a volunteer operation.

Had a a cracking sail heading for Treasure Cay with a reef in the main and jib. After a while though we decide to put into Orchid Bay on Great Guana.

Weather or not?

Sunday 23rd - After yesterday's failed attempt we leave Marsh Harbor heading toward Fowl Cay again. I should add that Fowl Cay is one of two marine preserves in the Abaco and has lots of reefs to explore. We are enjoying a nice sail until we see rain in the distance and yet sunshine to the South. We don't hesitate, we've seen this movie before, and go about and head for Hope Town and the sunshine. This time the strategy works and we avoid the rain. After picking up a mooring we row over to the light house although in truth there was a fair bit of lazing around between the two events. We prefer to think of it as avoiding the heat of the day. Unfortunately the lighthouse was only open 11am to 2pm on Sundays so that was a bust.

Sunglasses

Vince did mention my sunglasses in that last post but failed to explain what a fine pair of glasses they are, and how I manage to wear them with such grace.

 

In my defence I have to say that the choice was very limited and I need a pair as I broke old ones. 

With the aid of these wonderful glasses have spotted a couple of birds (feathered) that are of note. First the 'Magnificent Frigatebird' very eligant large, over 2 meter wingspan, seabird.

The other is the tropicbird I think it was the white tailed version. A beautiful bird, spotted a pair flying together. 90cm wingspan

Sailing in the Rain, Just Sailing in the Rain

Got a glorious feeling, I'm happy again.

Saturday 22nd - After a quick run ashore to get Phil some sunglasses we left Man o' War to go snorkel off Fowl Cay again. We have a lazy sail with just the jib up and anchor off the Cay. Then Phil notices that it appears to be raining on Great Guana and there are ugly clouds coming across from the mainland. The weather forecast had talked of a front that would stall north of us but it seems that it moved further south than they expected. To the south of us the sun was shining and there was blue sky. So we up anchor and head for Marsh Harbor but too late the rain hit us in great torrents that almost flattened the sea. We'd thought it would be miserable but it was wonderful. The Turtle loved it, tearing along at 7 knots with one reef in. The rain was warm and we needed a shower anyway! It wasn't a case of the wetness seeping through our clothes, one moment we were dry the next we were soaked through. We carried on to Marsh Harbor and the rain stopped, then we were hit by a blast of warm air. It was like we were being blow dried.

We anchored in Marsh Harbor for the first time, before we went into the marina. No problem, change of clothes and then we went ashore to get a frying pan. We were rushing as it was close to 5pm and tomorrow was Sunday. Turns out we needn't have rushed as Maxell's stays open 8am-8pm. It's rather a shock after the Cays where a sign giving hours of business merely means an intention to open at those times. Nothing seems to come with guarantees in the Abaco, the cruising guides always seem to hedge with words like "usually". "The channel is usually well marked with red and green buoys".

It's the night of the Senior Junkanoo, last night was the Junior Junkanoo and had 11 schools competing. We ask various people where and when it takes place and perhaps the most accurate advice we got was that it will start much later then they say. Rumour had it that it would start at 8pm as there were only four groups competing. We ate at Snappas and it was still only 7pm. We walked to the traffic light and then were directed down the main road to the airport. We were just about to give up when someone stopped and gave us a lift. We paid our $5 and walked down the closed off road. Waiting for a Bahamian event is just a question of killing time, or in this case slowly torturing it to death. I watched people walk past so many times I became convinced I knew them from somewhere. At around 9:30p the first group started warming up and eventually started slowly down the road. Fronted by a sign that said "PRESENTS ANCIENT ARBARIAN" suggesting this was the Abaco Dyslexics Junkanoo Band. They were good, full of lot of energy. If it took them a long time to get started it seemed even longer to stop them, and there was no sign of the the next group. We had left our tender tied up at Snappas dock and we had visions of the placed being locked up with no access to the dock so we left the Junkanoo early (well 10pm) and walked back. Shame, the next group looked good although they still seemed to be assembling there center piece and clearly weren't going to start down the road any time soon. In truth it was probably an excuse as we were just tired of waiting around. We'd had one beer because we couldn't see any portaloos anywhere (Phil said he eventually found two). It's a long walk back but Snappas is still open. It bills itself as open "11am - Until" saying they stay open while they still have customers.

We get into the tender and head to the anchorage. Pleased with ourselves that we had remembered to turn on the anchor light before leaving and to bring a torch with us, yet we still ended up motoring around the whole anchorage before coming back to the beginning and eventually finding the Turtle.

Junkanoo - is a parade/marching band/dancing with an African tribal flavor and very extravagant costumes. Lots of drums too. The groups compete with each other so there are long gaps between them rather than a parade where one follows another.

Man o' War

Friday 21st - We sailed from White Sound to Man o' War Cay. Went ashore to get provisions which included the need for a new frying pan as the handle broke off. We made the mistake of going to the grocery store first so we had to go back to the boat to put stuff in the fridge. Today the sun seemed hot and we were scouting ahead for shade as we walked.

Decided to laze on the boat until the sun was lower, then felt we needed a walk ashore. As we rowed past StrathSpey we asked them what bagpipe tune they'll be playing to celebrate their victory (Canadians over US in ice hockey). We have seen them numerous times in different anchorages and it was good to finally talked to them. Mary noticed that we had lost two of our crew and she asked Phil if he still worked as he seemed to be on the phone a lot :^)

We went on shore and walked north on Queen's Highway until we could get back on to the Atlantic side and then walked along the beach back to "downtown". We got back in time to hear Blair play the bagpipes for sun down. It was great. I have a video but the wind was blowing which rather spoils the sound. As always Blair's playing was well received. by those around.

Sea Spray

Thursday 20th - We have to time our leaving Little Harbor carefully as we need help from the tide to get out of Little Harbor and we also need it for the passage between Lubbers Quarter and Elbow Cay. Sorry no one seems to know for sure how it got it's name. There are multiple stories from land lubbers, pirates and monk seals. You get to choose.

We're getting a little leery about descriptions in the guide books. We now understand that phrases like "relaxing comes naturally here" and "at any time you can enjoy the amazing views" translate into "there's bugger all else to do here".

The Sea Spray marina had a full page advert describing their resort marina which boasted pool, Atlantic beach, restaurant etc.. Now it did have those but for some reason we were put off by the dredger moored up just ahead of it. The beach was ironshore (well that's what they called it in Cayman) so we didn't swim off it. I did see a surfer out that next day apparently it suits surfers because it doesn't have the protective reef. Although he can't have been too happy as the waves seemed to break just as he started to ride them.

So nothing wrong with Sea Spray, maybe we're just happier at anchor, unless there is something to do ashore.

Little Harbor and Pete's Pub

Wednesday 19th - It's getting more isolated here as we move away from Marsh Harbor. We decide to sail down to that last harbor in the Sea of Abaco. Following along the theme of easy naming this one's called "Little Harbor". For us it's a challenge to get into as the entrance is less than five feet and we need help from the tide to make it in. We get in OK and pick up a mooring for which we have to pay at Pete's Pub. Back in the fifties a couple set up a little art colony here (well I think it was just them) but they are famous for their bronze castings, at least famous enough to charge $23,000 for some of them.

When we went to Pete's pub there were a handful of people there. By the time our food arrived the place was teeming with people. It turned out that the Dive boat stops there for lunch and also as it is on the mainland people drive there in their cars. So much for our isolated little harbor.

Pete's Pub

The Atlantic side. It's a little weird as you are in the harbor which is tranquil but the sounds come from the waves crashing on the beach on the Atlantic side.

After lunch we rowed over to some caves on the other side of the harbor. They're quite big and had bats in them. Well we couldn't see them as they roosted up in holes in the rocks, but you could hear them flapping their wings when you got too close. I like this one with the maniacal face looking at Phil.

Sandy Cay

Tuesday 18th - Sailed to Sandy Cay. This is a little confusing because in the laid back style of the Bahamas people in the past decided to name numerous cays after the only attribute they could think of at the time "It's Sandy". A bit like playing I-Spy on the boat and saying I spy something beginning with W. There's even a cay named "No Name Cay"!

We anchored where it was recommended but that left us with a long dinghy ride round to the other side. Phil wasn't happy and we ended up moving the boat around to the reef side which was a better choice. There's a big reef there with lots to see parrot, trumpet, french angel, yellow snapper, sargent major and a young turtle. I have have video from the gopro although it's no so exciting as being there. You really want a long lens rather than wide angle.

Sailed on to Lynyard Cay where there were a number of boats already anchored including a super yacht "Celestial". We went ashore and the Cay is narrow so it's a short walk to the Atlantic side.

Here's the Sea of Abaco side and the Atlantic side

Return to Marsh Harbor

Sunday 16th - We sailed back to Marsh Harbor and put into Harbor View marina again. They put us in the same slip as last time but it turns out they are only there from 1-3pm on Sunday so we're rather ticked off that we don't have a key to use any of the facilities. Fortunately, a kind gent from a boat called "The Office" lent us his spare key although only after some "Who's on First" style conversations along the lines of "just put the key in The Office" "But the office is closed that's why we don't have a key".

Saw Bob and Dianne again as this is there home base for their stay in the Abaco. We swapped hard disks (containing movies) and watched 12 Monkeys after eating at Conky Joe's. Morning we worked on our chores, Phil did the laundry and grocery shopping and I cycled about 2 miles with the gas tank to get it refilled. Marsh Harbor has tarmac roads, well potholes joined together by tarmac. It even has traffic lights (two). Cycling along requires concentration to not swerve out into traffic whilst trying to avoid the pot holes.

Oh yes I forgot, they drive on the right here (although all the cars are left hand drive), and I mean I forgot and nearly got mown down by a mini bus.

Had a nice sail down to Tiloo Cay and anchored just below Tavern Cay. We rigged up the anchor light to hang from the bimini. Phil doesn't like it as he's not happy about taking a pee off the boat in the middle of the night not only under the stars but displayed by an all around white with a guaranteed range of 2 miles (the light that is not Phil peeing).

More wind

More high winds are forcast for Saturday so after a bit of diving off Fowl Cay we head for the sheltered waters of Hope Town harbour and pick up a swinging mooring, 20 dollars a night, no so bad for a safe mooring in a delightful spot. That's 13.50 pounds about the same as a night on a mooring in Newtown creek back home. The winds come as forcaste but no rain thank goodness, the passage across the 30 yards or so is a bit of a test for Vince's rowing  but we crab across the short distance without suffering a mishap. Walked round the island and took a few photos.....

Not much traffic on the roads

This road ends with a couple of seats to sit on.

Another perfect beach.

There is no doubt it is a wonderfully beautiful place, clear blue turquoise water, white sandy beaches and palm trees but there is one thing is notable by its absence, wildlife. On the trip down through the rivers and estuaries of the ICW there were no clear waters and white sandy beaches but there was an abundance of birds,  cormorants , terns, gannets, pelicans all feeding off the fish which were everywhere. At the waters edge waders, cranes, egrets again feeding off creatures in the water. Of course there were the dolphins, also there for the food. Not so in the Bahamas, yes there are reef fish but these are pretty isolated. Maybe I've missed something but I guess you can't have clear water and stacks of nutrients to feed the small stuff that the fish feed on etc. etc

  Vince has an alternative explanation, I haven't caught any fish and I'm looking for an excuse !!

Thunder Storm

We took to our beds at about 10.30 last night, wind was blowing but not too bad, the occasional flash of lightning could be seen in the distance. At 12.30 the storm woke me up, lightning flashing all around and a strong wind to accompany the heavy rain. Couldn't resist to get up and have a look around, the harbour was illuminated by non stop lighting . We are on a swinging mooring tethered by a single line at the bow, the boat swings one way then the other through something like 90 degrees. It feels like the boat is trying to sail away from the mooring, first it tries one direction then another ,only  to be stopped by the mooring line. Like a naughty dog on a short lead the boat gets brought to heel by a jerk on the mooring line, occasionally that pull is quite violent and is felt right through the whole boat, but it's good to know we are not going anywhere, Vince's purchase of a new very large mooring pendant ( dog lead) is  most reassuring.

 Maybe we will see the sun tomorrow .

A Cold Front Coming

Well OK so for most of you reading this blog at this time calling 63F cold would be laughable if that emotion is still possible when discussing the weather this winter. We've decided to stay in Man o' War on a mooring as tonight the forecast is for thunderstorms and 25-35 mph winds. We went ashore again while we still have the opportunity and went looking for Lola's bakery but it looked like a home. We asked a guy in the cemetery and he said Lola had stopped baking as she was too old and losing her memory. You see a lot of old people in the Abacos either they live longer in this climate and the slow pace of life or it attracts retirees (ooh that would be me).

Carried on to the beach. The sand is soft and leaves a footprint about an inch deep. I was a little worried about the current so I watched the patches of weed and they didn't seem to move faster than I can snorkel so I went in. A few places where there were fish but it would have been disappointing if wasn't for two fish that swam either side of me. They were white with long flowing dorsal fins. My best guess is that they were polameta, a member of the Jack family it says in my book obviously a very close family.

Phil says they are forecasting hurricane force winds in the UK. Kind of ironic that he should have to worry about hurricanes back home when we're in the Caribbean. Catherine says they are forecasting 10" of snow and ice back in Maryland and Pete and Terry say they are traveling through the worst snow and ice storms ever seen in GA and SC.

Beginning to feel a little guilty. Maybe I'll go out on deck in the 18 mph winds and raise a glass to you all. It's sunny and 80F btw.

Half the crew go home.

Unfortunately Peter and Terry had no more time left, Peter had to return north to Canada and all that snow, whilst Terry had the UK and all that rain to look forward to, they promised they would blog there journey home and post pictures of snow and flood water. 

 Meanwhile Vince and I had more sun and sailing to do, we left Marsh harbour in the afternoon motoring most of the way to Man o War cay, very protected little harbour where we picked up a mooring, nobody could tell us who owned it so maybe it will be 'cheap'. Once again a long thin island with an Atlantic side with rolling waves and a bahamas side shelter and protected.  The favoured maybe I should say only form of transport here is the golf buggy. They drive on the left but all the buggys are built for right hand drive, the roads are concrete and are barely wide enough for two to pass each other, a fine form of transport when you can't travel far and not fussed how long it takes. Threatening weather reports for tonight and tomorrow so we are staying put, thunder storms tonight with lots of wind.

Marsh Harbor, Man o' War

Monday we sailed/motored to Marsh Harbor as Terry and Peter were leaving on Tuesday. Marsh Harbor is the third largest town in the Bahamas but it didn't seem very attractive. It seemed similar to the rest of the Abacos but with roads and cars and without the charm of say Hope Town. We went into HarborView marina and Phil and Terry went for a walk. I had a shower but after I got back to the boat the rain came down in torrents for about 20-30 minutes and they returned looking like they were the ones who had had a shower.

Next day we said goodbye to Terry and Peter in the morning and then went to SaveAlot which is the down market grocery store. They sold goat meat and chicken's feet. I was worried that Phil would buy them but he didn't have a recipe so we avoided that. We had started by going to the only chandlers in Marsh Harbor for a port running light but they didn't have one. I did get an 8lb anchor for the dinghy which got heavier and heavier as we walked around looking for the grocery store. Then loaded up with groceries and by the time we got back to the boat my arms must have been about a foot longer.

We motored to Man o' War Cay giving Phil a chance to exercise his skill in fishing which so far has been an exercise in frustration. The only fisherman we saw was spear fishing. Man o' War Cay has a narrow and shallow entrance but we got in OK and picked up a mooring by the "town". We rowed ashore and explored the town which took a little longer than typing this sentence. We walked across to the Atlantic side and walked along the beach for about a mile. We met one couple in that time. Heading inland it turned out we went through private property in our search for the "road" back. We only found this out when we passed a blank sign that had private on the other side. We walked back into town along roads (well paths just wide enough for one golf cart) with names like Uncle Tweedie's road and Uncle Bennie's Hill. That just about exhausted what we could do in MoW so we went back to the boat.

Great Guana Cay and Elbow Cay

Peter was due to be writing this but having added the pictures has become distracted and left me to it. I suspect the distraction has something to do with the the lack of wi fi, most things have! We have had a good couple of days, first in Great Guana Cay and now in Hope. In Great Guana Cay we hired a golf cart so could see more of the Island. It's very interesting and reminds me a lot of Africa, some poverty and a lot of pandering by the local community to the rich incoming tourists. I always feel uncomfortable witnessing this kind of thing, let alone being a part of it. There are those of course who exploit it for all it's worth and those who act with respect. I hope we fall into the latter category. 

We were invited for 'sundowners' onto a neighbouring motor boat Islandia,which was very pleasant. It gave me my first opportunity to visit the 'dark side' of boating. I was quietly impressed, lots of space and some very good kit. Who knows, one day I could be tempted? I think we managed to settle the American health care problems over a drink. Nice people who have been boating for years.

Sunday morning we saw Nurse Shark and turtles in the marina.

Set off for Fowl Cay. Sea too rough to snorkel when we got there, either in the boat or the dinghy. Left for Hope, where we moored among many other boats. Very pretty and also more English than other places as many of the English loyalists came here following the American war of independence. Terry

We clean up quite nicely don't we. This was taken at a bar called Grabbers, which has a lovely view over the bay.

Each of the two Cays has a beautiful Atlantic side beach, long stretches of fine sands and rolling waves.  There are breakers a few hundred metres off the beach which is presumably where the Ocean floor shelves upwards steeply to the shallow ledge of the Abaco. 

A nurse shark in the marina at Orchid Bay, Great Guana Cay. They are apparently quote safe although when we saw another at the beach, no-one rushed into the sea to swim with it.

This is Hopetown harbour where we moored for Sunday night. A lovely and secure spot. The town is quite picturesque, with a variety of colourful homes and businesses - pinks, peaches, lilacs, yellows. There seems to be a varied community of Bahamians and other seasonal residents here. It seems more laid back than other places we have been, although I imagine that it will be much busier and livelier soon. 

Peter

Exploring the Cays

We have spent the past four days exploring some of the Cays (pronounced keys we have just learned), small often uninhibited islands that surround the larger Bahamian islands. There is a large shelf around the area, which means that water depths are about 7 - 15 feet for miles.  The further side of the outermost Cays sees a significant drop off to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Here are a few photos from these days. 

Beautiful aquamarine seas. 

The Cays we visited are low lying and offer little protection from the wind but the shallowness of the seas mean that the waves are quite low. 

This sailboat had been cast onto these rocks by a storm. Nice boat too. 

Our grizzled and hardy captain, with a pair of Phil's underwear in the background. 

Phil has been listening to a lot of hip hop in the last few days. 

One of Terry's infrequent excursions above deck. 

Green Turtle Cay, a larger island with a town, New Plymouth, and several marinas. 

Going aground

The photo above goes some way to explain what happened (the yellow track) there we were with not a care in the world on our way to the next anchorage just 30 minutes away doing about 5 knots the depth was fine showing a good two to three feet under the keel and nothing on the chart to suggest that might change . Then suddenly the boat comes to a holt and tilts forward at an alarming angle, at this point the depth reads 2 feet , we need at least 3.5 to be sure we are floating. Hard astern for a conciderable time releases us from the sand, thank god there are no rocks. So we back up and try a different direction only to repeat the whole thing again, hopeful that no one is watching are ridiculous antics we retrace our steps, tail between legs and head for deeper water giving that area a wide berth.

A random selection of photos

Phil omits to tell about the Cay we had a brief stopover at Moraine Cay. Wow!! We snorkelled over the coral reef. I have rarely seen anything so beautiful. It looked like an ornate garden with the most wonderful colours, and an absolute wall of fish. You don't see them at first but as you tune in there they are, thousands of them in an array of colours. I was slightly fearful to begin with, but then you relax, and begin to wonder at the beauty of it. This was truly a beautiful experience that Iam keen to repeat!

As for going aground I was down below reading when Pete put us on the sand, and was launched toward the front of the boat. These things happen!

Terry

Yes, Terry was down below reading when this happened and I was at the wheel for the first grounding, following the course laid out by one crew member and being supervised by our skipper. Terry has been engrossed by The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo over the past few days, only coming on deck to check that the lines are correctly coiled. 

Mangrove cay

Kale Penn delivered our gas and we were free too leave. Which we did, out of the harbour and round the corner to a very pleasant anchorage, not far away you could still poach the marina Wifi. Tricky finding the exact spot that got good wifi reception plus minimum swell and protection from the wind, we finally found it and Terry prepared a fine meal using all the stuff that was about to go out of date. That probably doesn't sound like a great recommendation but it was very tasty.

Back into marina in the morning to pick up fuel and off to mangrove cay an uninhabited island full of mangroves and not much more. Found a good anchorage and swam off boat for first time but sadly no fish to be seen, the expensive fishing gear I bought was not going to provide a meal today.

Peter and Terry did a delightful rendition of 'the's a hole in my bucket', can't quite remember why but they did the whole thing from start to finish. I think they have been secretly practicing .

Mangrove island , if you look closely you might see Vince Terry and Peter landing in the dingy.

Writers block

I think I have writers block, maybe brought on by too much sun. So here are a couple of photos

Our track (in yellow) since we have been in Bahamas, today on our way to Moraine Cay.

Sleeping in the after noon , an essential activity.

Crazy changes in sea colour turquoise , to dark blue.

phil.

I suspect that the difficulty Phil is having is down to the acute stress that we are all under! Keeping the boat moving along at her optimum performance level, requires all of us to be on our mettle at all times, know our specific jobs, and be able to compensate for one another, if someone were to drop a notch or two. An example of this has occurred in the last few minutes, when Vince left the helm with Phil, he promptly fell asleep and I had to take over! 

It's tough out here.

Picked up a signal last evening that meant we could be in contact with loved ones for the first time in a couple of days. Rain and storms in blights we hear, snow in Orillia etc. feel a bit guilty having this wall to wall sunshine!

Watched 'Captain Phillips' last night. Possibly not the best film to watch in our circumstance, although thoroughly enjoyed. We have tightened up security arrangements as a result. Phil looks smart with his pointed mop handle. In place of hoses Peter will throw tea cups full of water at would be invaders and I have been practicing swinging from the mast top with a saucepan. Our greatest wheeze though is to tow Vince's wallet from a long line, which we hope means that no pirate will have need to board us! Wish us luck.

Generally speaking boat life is good. Lots of relaxation, perfect sailing conditions much of the time and good eating.

Did we mention that Phil made Chapati's to go with our curry? Genius.

Terry

Waiting for gas

The propane is getting very low, so top priority is to get it filled. Vince and Terry found a taxi driver who is taking our bottle into Freeport to get it filled, back by 3pm he said. So now we wait, it's tough just waiting, not much to do but sit on the beach.

That's Terry and Peter , hiding from the sun.

Spotted an interesting jelly fish washed up on the shore, we had previously seen them at sea being blow along by their 'sail'. Have yet to identify it.

Hot hot hot

It's warm, no it's hot , 80s in February just doesn't seem right. But my god it's wonderful. The marina at West End Grand Bahamas is a resort too, swimming pool.

Beach

I

In UK marinas the water can be pretty grim , you can sometimes peer through the multicoloured oil slicks and see as much as 6 inches below the surface, here you can see right to the bottom through 20 foot of crystal clear water to a sandy bottom.

It's tough life here in the sun, the Super Bowl is on tonight, I know or care little about this but I do have 5 dollars on Denver to win by 5 points, there is some complicated scheme going on amongst the crew that suggests I can actually win if Seatle win by a small margin. Anyway I doubt that I can last the 4+ hours the whole charade takes , maybe my winings will be waiting for me in the morning.

Phil

Across the Gulf Stream!

One of the many things I have noticed about Americans is that they love to have a chat. Always enthusiastic, lots of stories, and where there are stories, opinions! Among the Floridian boating community,stories about crossing to the Bahamas abound, and opinions are both plentiful and varied. 'Go as far South as possible, that way you benefit from the gulfstream' 'going from the North is ok. As long as you go across the stream at 90 degrees, and then head South' go to the Abacos, go to the Exumas, leave early, leave late, and so on and on. It left us all in rather a spin and thinking that if we gathered up all of the collective wisdom, we would probably find a short window sometime in July. I think that we reached inside for that more taciturn British spirit, said 'xxxx it' and went anyway. This meant wind and Gulf Stream against us, darkness, quite a lot of wind, choppy seas, mal de mer, not sure where we're headed etc. The crew stood up admirably, (when I say stand up, personally I now slide around on my bottom, Phil falls over, and Vince still looks quite sprightly!)The outcome was again typically british when we entered the West End Marina at 2.35a.m. All settled happily and woke up in Paradise! Communication with loved ones and a restful day in prospect.

Terry

This was my first nighttime sailing adventure and it was daunting and, well, a bit underwhelming. The thought of darkness setting in when you still have 10 hours to go, through unknown waters, 15-20 knot winds and 2000 feet depth seas is a bit scary but the reality is that it is a bit tedious. There is little to nothing to look at but the bouncing of the boat, the sea spray and all the various noises make sleep difficult. A simple sighting of a cruise ship becomes a momentous event, enough to focus the mind and conversation for a good hour. Perhaps, you are right, Jordan, in saying that we should ditch the electronic equipment overboard. It would certainly make things more interesting but not necessarily in a good way. 

P

A few photos of the crossing and our current location. 

All up for the trip. 

Sails all trimmed..

One of the few large ships we encountered. Looks like an oil exploration vessel, probably sailing back from the Gulf of Mexico. 

All worth it......