Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Change in plans

Our plan was to be in Staniel Cay until Jesse and Brittany arrive on the 20th, spend a couple more days playing with them in the Staniel Cay area, then head down to Black Point for a couple of days. At that point, Serendipity was going to head back to Nassau, and Tides In and September Song would head to Georgetown for the Family Regatta, then on to explore the Out Islands, then into the Abacos, where we would meet up with Serendipity again. After playing in the Staniel Cay area for a couple of days, strong winds picked up out of the West (no protection in our anchorage from the West) and we were bouncing for two days. The decision was made to head to the North mooring field (good protection) in the Land and Sea Park. We played in the Land and Sea Park for a couple of days, then on to Normans Cay for a day, then into Nassau on Friday, because the weather wasn't going to be good for the next several days. The wind and rain started, and it isn't suppose to let up until tomorrow. (Wednesday)
You would think, with all this bad weather, we weren't having any fun. NOT! In cruising, you learn to adjust for the weather. Yes, we are sad that we didn't get to Georgetown and the Out Islands, but with the change in plans, the Bahama Bums got to enjoy the whole ten days with Jesse and Brittany while they were here in the Islands. We had great fun in spite of the change in plans and bad weather. "No bad days", just some are better than others on a boat in Paradise.

September Song ("no bad days") out
Bob


Staniel Cay Yacht Club. The group is inside waiting for Jesse and Brittany (AKA our adopted children) to arrive.

Brittany, with her first Island drink, at The Yacht Club.

I think Stephanie is happy to see Jesse. 

Brittany and Jesse, adding their names and date to the Serendipity's burgee that hangs in the Yacht Club.
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View of the ocean side of Rachel's Bubble Bath. 

The Bahama Bums took Jesse and Brittany to Rachel's Bubble Bath.

Cassie and Godiva got to go this time, and they love playing with Dad in the bubble bath pool.
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The group, arriving at the path to Rachel's Bubble Bath.

Along the way.

Kim (Maya) at Rachel's
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Serendipity, rocking and rolling in the wind and waves in Big Major anchorage. When the wind comes out of the West, it gets rough.Time to move.

We changed our plan to go to Black Point, because the winds were predicted to be strong and out of the west for a couple of days. We all headed to the protected North mooring field in the Exumas Land and Sea Park.

Cocktail hour on the beach at the Land and Sea Park.

Everything in the park is protected. This is a hutia. They look like a giant hamster. At dusk, they come out of the woods, and will come up to you looking for a handout.
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Pirates cove beach. Cruisers who come to this beach, put their names on the Pirate board. AARRR!

Cocktail hour before a beach bonfire at Pirates beach. Gilligan's Island has nothing on us. 

Nothing better than a beach bonfire to end a fun day in the islands. That's Gilligan in the yellow shirt, and Mary Anne is in the pink in front of him. (AKA Jesse and Brittany)

Nice headlight Jay!
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Proud Papa. Stephan, the owner of MacDuff's Beach Bar, on Normans Cay, with his daughter. His wife and daughter flew in from the US, where they live. We met her last year. My how she has grown. Next year, we will probably see her playing on the beach.

Speaking of playing on the beach!

You see this beach in many brochures for the Islands. 
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This is the first thing people see after landing at Normans Cay. If you saw the landing strip here, it would make it mean even more.

The bartender is a little different here at MacDuff's. Salty makes a mean rum punch.

The Bahama Bums, waiting for some of MacDuff's great Island food. Well, some of us had to have a burger. Sometimes, you just need to have a really good burger rather than seafood.
Norman's was our second stop on the way back to Nassau.
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Tides In, on her mooring at Warderick Wells.

Our signs, with another year added, ready to be put back up on Boo Boo Hill, to wait for us to return next year. Jesse and Brittany got to add their names to Serendipity's sign. A little sand in their shoes when they leave, and they are sure to return.

The Serendipity crew.

Remember where you put it Jay!
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The sugar birds love to sit on your hand and pig out on sugar.

Brittany, working on Serendipity's driftwood sign.

They are so cute, and how about that blue water!
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We had to take Jesse and Brittany to Potters Cay for a cracked conch fix.

We went to Atlantis for the day. The kids didn't do the water park, because it was blowing 20 to 25 knots, and pouring rain. We came back to the boats with more money than we left with.

Spoils from the winnings.

Who is that in the woods?
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The calm before the storm.

When the weather turns nasty, and it's going to be that way for a week, We head to a marina to wait out the storm. Playtime in Nassau!

A night of fun and laughs on Tides In while the wind blows. Thanks Stephen and Pam!

Jesse (AKA lizard eyes)
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