Bob and Penny in our poker outfits. I had made earrings out of some dice beads and they were very popular.
Bob met up with a former Navy buddy, Carl, and it turned out they came in almost matching shirts. Bob’s cards were sew on his shirt, while Carl’s were cards he added.
Bob and Carl in their almost matching shirts.
Pam was the winner of the contest.
We were really crammed into one large room for the game. I don't know what we would have done if we needed to get out fast.
We also formed a team with Ed and Dee off Sea Fox X and competed in the Trivial Pursuit game. With 16 tables, we came in 4th, which was respectable, but did not win us a flag or booze. I won a St. Francis Resort ball cap for one of the silly prizes – someone wearing dolphins and could get to the person with the hat to be given away the fastest! I beat Bob there (I was wearing earrings with dolphins and Bob had them on his hat!)
One of the activities during the regatta is a "fun" softball game with cruisers making up one team and Bahamians making up another. The Bahamians always win. The referee, always a cruiser, makes up some of the silliest rules to give the cruisers a chance. Rules made up included that the Bahamians had to use the other end of the bat, running backwards between bases, etc.
Sue off Nice and Easy trying to get the team spirit a boost.
Cruisers Team Photo
The referees taking a "flask" break.
Our friend Sharon on My Sharona at bat.
The “in-harbor” race was swapped with the “around the island race” days due to weather. We sat up on top the boat and watched the in-harbor race. There were several races classifications, including one for sailing cats. The new boat, Penelope that was recently built by St. Francis Yachts (connected with St. Francis Resorts on Stroking Island, also raced. Given that she is my namesake, I had to root for her. One of her crew, was a man that worked at Palm Bay Resort and was a friend of the owner of St. Francis Resort pulled his arm out its socket following the in-harbor race. Luckily for him, there was an orthopedist (retired) in the harbor that was able to put it back in the socket. When that happened to our friend Sharon on My Sharon a couple of years ago, she had to pay to be med-evaced to the Nassau Hospital to get it reset. (That is why we have medical evacuation insurance this year).
Penelope, the new St. Francis sailing cat in the in-harbor race.
The day the around the island race was held, the winds were quite strong, but it was held anyway. Several boats had planned to leave that day and begin their trip back north, and ended up returning because it was too rough for them. I give the cruisers credit. Not one of the boats in the race returned to harbor and gave up the race. Last year there was similar weather and one of the boats had their mast break in half, this year only one boat reported any problems and it was a torn mast.
We walked over to the beach on Stocking Island to see the boats during the race.
Windsurfer off Stocking Island during the race.
Windsurfer's kite
Windsurfer and sailboats in the race
Sunburst, yellow catamaran in the race. This boat won the catamaran class.
Sailing catamarans - neck and neck
Cruiser's dog loving the surf (standard poodle)
There is a terrific new restaurant on the west side of Great Exuma Island. It is called Catch a Fire. You want to arrive there in time to see the sunset. It overlooks the shallow, bone fishing side of the island. A couple from Great Britain is building it and it is still under construction, but they opened the restaurant and bar on Christmas and are doing a great job.
After sunset, they light up candles and tiki torches all over the restaurant which is completely outdoors. It is certainly the peaceful side of the island as the water is too shallow for boats of any size. They will be building and selling some houses on the property and also some bungalows to rent out. We went with Ed and Dee from Sea Fox and their friends Don and Darlene who have been visiting from Canada. It was a great evening.
Bob and Penny with view from Catch a Fire Restaurant
Don and Darlene at Catch a Fire
Ed and Dee at Catch a Fire
Infinity pool at Catch a Fire
Bob at Catch a Fire
Penny at Catch a Fire
The "fire" we caught at Catch a Fire
Bob has been listening to the weather more carefully as we need to be in Long Island by the 27th (when our friends arrive) and we need a good weather window to make the crossing. It only takes 4 hours, but we still prefer cruising in calm water. We had been noticing that the window was starting to appear to be closing. Friday morning Bob said we had to leave today. I was scheduled to display my crafts in the cruiser’s craft show and was happy Bob said we could stay for that. We would miss the final party of the regatta Friday night and the variety show on Saturday night.
I had a lot of interest in my items, especially my painted board that I have painted George Town scenes on. We will see if I get any orders from the show. I enjoyed seeing some of the other boaters crafts. One lady does beautiful hooked rugs, one makes terrific baskets, one knits beautiful items, another woman makes beautiful sea glass jewelry and many displayed watercolors hanging them from lines strung up between the trees.
My craft display
Other crafters displays
Beautiful mermaid rug made by a boater.
We left right after lunch and found the waters quite calm, but the skies grey and with occasional misting to light rain all the way. We are looking forward to seeing Jackie and Mike, partners who own Long Island Breeze Resort on Long Island.
We arrived late afternoon, but still with plenty of light to be able to see to anchor. There are about 40 boats here now, but that will increase quite a bit if the planned rally of sailboats coming from George Town early in the week happens according to plan.
Long Island overall is so much quieter than George Town. It is the longest, narrowest islands in the Bahamas, thus belaying its name. We went in on Saturday and found Mike at the bar as usual providing libations to the numerous cruisers in to do their laundry, use the Internet, have lunch, or sun themselves on the deck. They have built a new building since last year to house guests. They have one large two story building that has a two bedroom apartment on the top floor, with two smaller apartments downstairs and now they have a one story with 4 units as well. Mike says that those 4 units are getting a high booking rate since it was built. Two of those units face the water. We were happy to hear they getting a good return on their investment for the building. We didn’t see Jackie as she was up in Nassau tending to a broken VHF radio and getting other supplies.
Mike still gives the morning news at 8:30 with a weather report. In past years, Don on Molly Hawk provided the weather. Don and his wife Betsy have been coming to Long Island for around 25 years – since before they had full electric power on the island! Unfortunately, this year they were unable to come because Betsy’s mother has been very ill. We miss hearing Don and seeing them at the Breeze.
If long Island is quiet, Sunday on Long Island is quieter. The two grocery stores that service the island, both are here in Salt Pond, open from 8 to 11. Even the gasoline station closes by noon on Sunday. All Bahamians are off attending their church of choice, except for the few Seventh Day Adventists. One of those owns the only Laundromat on the island and you can find that open on Sunday – but not on Saturday.
We invited Volt and Sandy off Amber Isle for dinner. We had met them a couple of years ago and seem to cross paths regularly.
Monday, 17 of the cruisers went to the Thompson Bay Inn for one of Trifinna’s Bahamian Buffets. She had spare ribs, curried chicken, fried grouper, cracked conch and cracked lobster, cole slaw, peas and rice, as well as white rice, and potato salad, all for $18! Her price has gone up a little this year due to rising food prices. We caught up with Houston and Gail on Blew Moon. Houston was submariner and knew Bob, so they had a great time talking about old times. They were heading out the next day for Conception Island, so we were glad they came and we had a chance to spend some time with them.
Trifinna's grandson who was collecting money to go with his "winning" team to compete on Eleuthra.
Trifinni explaining all the food on the table.
Tuesday, we were expecting a large group of sail boaters coming from George Town to the anchorage as part of a rally. So we thought we had better get our laundry done at the Long Island Breeze while we still could. So we moved the boat over in front of the Breeze and went in for lunch, some Internet time and to get the laundry done.
We will be at Long Island through the first week in April at least. Then we hope that our friends on My Sharona arrive with some other people all on Selene boats and go with them to Acklins or the Jumentos for about 10 days. We spend some time in the Jumentos last year, but have not spent any time visiting Acklins or its neighbor, Crocked Island.
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