Long Island (Not New York!)

This is our last couple of days... in reverse order- because that's how the photos uploaded!
OR... most of the batch of photos I tried to upload on blogger didn't work- So here's the post, and I'll try to get some pictures up ASAP.

Meet Tryphena Knowles, who runs Thompson Bay Inn, on Long Island. Twice a week (or so), she does a buffet dinner. Cracked Lobster, Cracked Conch, Ribs, Grouper Fingers, Hot Wings, Potato Salad, Macaroni and Cheese, Coleslaw, Peas and Rice, Plantains... all you can eat... all for $18.00 Throw in a Kalik or a rum punch (complete with a little umbrella), and you've got date night! She's a great lady- she also does shell art, and has some wonderful centerpieces decorating all the tables. And walls and windowsills. And bar. Definitely a highlight. Wish you were here, don'tcha?


We were ready for that big dinner, after walking the beaches (looking for sea beans and various other treasures)...










Lunch was at the Hot Spot. (See our fine rental car?) Oh... This is the Hot Spot. With a notice on the wall re: those who are here late, enjoying the fine beverages. "Please be very, very careful as you drive out our road. Especially as you pass the driveway on your left."- I'm guessing it's the proprietors residence. She means it, too buddy! Also, "No discussing politics or foul language allowed!" We obeyed, and behaved ourselves.

We ate lunch In Mangrove Bush, on Long Island. That's where the Knowles brothers build the racing sailboats for most of the Exumas. We're told they do most of the work with hatchets- shaping the wood bit by bit. These are beautiful boats- and we hope to see them in action in late April, in the George Town Family Islands Regatta.

After lunch we visited Dean's Blue Hole- the largest (or deepest- or something) Blue Hole in the world. Ted and Matt jumped off the cliffs and dove in the blue hole. Christie and I looked for treasures on the beach. We also left our good dry bag here... if anyone finds it, we'd sure like our dinghy key back. (Did you know you can start a dinghy motor with a piece of string? Works in a pinch.)
No worries. The marine store here is like a mini-West Marine. Ted came ashore the next morning at 8, and bought a new (orange) dry bag, and a dinghy key. I love this place

This is the old Catholic Church on the Island (In Clarence Town.) Father Jerome was an early Missionary...he came here and started the Anglican Church. Later he converted to Catholicism- and built this church. The two churches look a lot alike- Pretty impressive! (Ted, Matt, and Christie climbed to the top of the steeples. The ladders looked a little shakey to me- I only got halfway up. Figures, right!?)




Very cool to visit the remains of a 17th Century Spanish Church, in Salt Pond.














Found a Tamarind tree along the road, and had a little snack.


Another "It's a hard life" shot. Gotta throw these in every now and then.

Oh, and this is the first edible fish we've caught- he deserves to have his picture taken, don't you think?

George Town Life- Some Random Moments

Ted's internet spot (behind Exuma Market)

Matt, trying out his latest invention... hoping to keep his sweetheart dry in the dinghy.

Just another day in paradise.

Playing Mexican Train (a dominos game that we've grown to love.)

Playing some red hot Blues (these guys are amazing!)

Boat Church

Fixing Rusty's big 'ol sail (The Creature)

Farewell Dinner at Cheaters- time for the Texas Navy to say "See Ya'll Later"- Everyone's going a different direction from here.

And here's another fun story!- This is Lead Free Too, aka Sharon and Larry. They were the original owners of Oh Sea Dee, our first catamaran. We've enjoyed talking to them here in G. Town- They're moving on to the Ragged Islands (I think...)-

And time for us to move on, too! Heading (probably) for Long Island in the morning, then bumping around to Rum Cay, Hog Cay.... maybe the Acklins. The only set goal is to be back in George Town by late April, for the Family Islands Regatta. I'll post when I can! Hugs and Kisses!

We're Still Here!

Still in George Town... But back in a smaller anchorage, surrounded by maybe six boats. Much more our style. We've made friends with a group called the "Texas Navy", and have been traveling around with them for about a month now. They're all from Texas, but they've let us be honorary members, since Ted can drawl when he needs to. And everybody just naturally loves me. (ahem! cough cough. :).
Last Sunday was too blustery to brave the 1.5 mile dinghy ride to town, so we had "boat church" on Morning Glory. Matt set up our tv to receive a video from his computer- even linked it to our bigger speakers, so we could listen in style. It was us and the Navy, with a new Texas Couple thrown in for good measure. Ever hear of Life Church? Apparently they stream church services across the web several times a day- and it was good stuff! Not quite as hoppin' as Bahamian church- but a good message (and warm muffins, thanks to Deana on Storyville.)
Today everyone is doing laundry and stocking up on groceries, because it looks like we may be able to bust a move on Thursday! We're all ready to head for a new place- and all heading in different directions. Probably Long Island for us (and Kaleo)- but who knows!?? That decision may change tomorrow. And we're ok with that!- We'll just head for where the (gentle) wind takes us!

Race Week

It's been an exciting week, here in George Town!
As I mentioned last post, Ted's been crewing in the races here, and the Seawind he was racing on swept the awards ceremony clean! They came in first in one race,

and second in another, thereby winning the "best overall category". (that means a big flag and a bottle of rum!)

Thanks, Captain Rusty for sailing such a tight ship-


Dinner at the Chat N' Chill is one of our favorite things to do... this is fine dining. We enjoyed dinner with Rusty and Linda and Matt and Christie before the awards ceremony last night.

If you'd like to see more (and better!) pics, you can check two other websites... sittononthebeach.com and svkaleo.blogspot.com . Their sites are much more professional than mine... but they're sharing their secrets, so someday maybe I'll be as cool as they are.


Back porch friends are best- even on sailboats. These guys are hangin' out, just planning the day. "What are you guys doing?"
"Ah... we need produce and propane, so we're going into town."
"I don't want to go in today... will somebody take my garbage in for me?"
"Sure. Got any extra tokens for the laundromat?"
...that kind of stuff. :)

George Town has been a great place for community, for sharing tips and stories, and for good entertainment. It's been fun, but it's time to move on soon. (We've actually already moved to a less populated anchorage- accompanied by our friends on Sea Yawl Later and Kaleo). Tonight there's a variety show (and Bahamian Street Dinner) in town, tomorrow after church someone will fly in with a single sideband radio for us- and then Monday or Tuesday we'll sail on towards the more remote islands. Moving on will mean leaving our new found friends- and we'll really miss them!- but the beauty of it all is we'll find them in another anchorage on another day...and pick up right where we left off! And if it doesn't happen spontaneously, we'll hunt them down. :)

I leave you with a snapshot of a couple of old goats we met along the way. They have their very own island, mind you!

TTFN! (ta-ta for now.. didn't Winnie The Pooh say that?)

A New Post?!?

(A shot of the George Town harbor from the top of Monument Hill. We're out by the big, blue mega yacht.)


Oh, it's been too long, I know!
a. Internet is slow and weak here.
b. We go go go all the time (and can't seem to stay awake past 9:00).
c. Photos won't usually upload, and who wants just words?
d. I'm lazy.
e. All of the above.

Sorry!

All's well, though! We've been here in George Town for 3 weeks now- It's regatta time, and the big race is tomorrow. Ted's going to crew on a "Sea Ya'll Later", another Seawind that we've come to know and love. Stay posted (yeah, right!) for results. The winners will be announced at a big hoopla on Friday night. We may walk away with a bottle of rum (that's the prize for most every contest around here. :). I'll save it for Teddy. I've had quite enough rum. (When we sailed in the Chesapeake, we ate so much crab stuff I've no need for more- that's the way it is with rum in the Bahamas. Please, no more.
As usual, the weather's beautiful, the turquoise waters amazing, the people SO friendly... and we miss you, our friends and family!

Some friends, a kite, and a lonesome beach... Life is good!