2022-12-18 Move back south and wait for weather - sudden departure

We spent a couple of days in Marsh Harbor, just hanging out.  Walked and got groceries, visited with a couple of folks on the dinghy dock who were thinking of sometime going sailing.  

Just relaxed, read some books, watched some movies.  

We love good books, but hard to find.   Dean currently reading James Rollins, and Kris reading Charlaine Harris.  Would not say these are great books - but they are entertaining and pass the time.  It is sure nice having the electronic files vs lugging around the paper backs.  If anyone has some recommendations - please share.

We decided on Tuesday to head south again just for a change of scenery  - hoping to monitor the swell coming in and look for  a chance to make the 56 mile jump south to Spanish Wells.  It looked like the coming Saturday or Monday may be good.   

Always enjoy the changing water colors in the Bahamas

Spent a night off of Lubbers Quarter Cay in the Abacos - scenic, and some swell protection.  Next day had a nice sail to Lynyard Cay.  Had to tack several times to make our route, but it was nice to sail.  The anchorage had good swell protection, so ended up there for several days. The winds clocked 360, but the anchor was holding well, and we felt safe and comfortable, so did not move, as the large NE ocean swell caused more of an issue then the local wind swell.  We again just hung out, read, watched some movies.  Dean made cinnamon rolls and breadsticks, not the best so need more pratice.

Good garlic parmesan breadsticks.  Cinnamon rolls did not last long enough to get photographed.

Spent more time reading, and every evening we generally watch a movie, or a episode of a TV series.   We have watched some really good movies, and some really bad ones.  The last few days were some OK movies, and some so bad, we deleted them to erase proof that we ever watched them.  (Triangle of Sadness - just don't do it - don't waste that time of your life).

Finally went ashore on Friday the 16th.  Small beach, and rough trail to view the ocean side surf.  Unfortunately the camera died after just a couple of photos.

Nice heron track on beach.  Large foot, Kris's foot shown for comparison.

Odd pulley system hanging from tree on beach, not sure what it was used for.

Kris found nice collection of complete shells not normally found complete.   A couple of nice clam shells, still hinged (bottom), a couple of nice sea biscuits (top) and of course the very rare double glassed black folding arm shell (tried to bring it back to life, but it was too damaged to salvage).

We also decorated our "Christmas Tree"  you have to get creative on a boat

Our Christmas Tree.  We also have our stockings hung up for Santa

We had planned to maybe head offshore on Monday, but Saturday morning, got up, winds were NE.  Kris checked the forecast and said "Dean - we need to leave now".  So we did, and ended up with a very pleasant sail for about 40 of the 56 miles, and then the wind died, and we motored the last.   There were two other boats making the trip south as well so we had company to watch.  Had to motor the last couple of hours because the winds finally died.

Now anchored at Royal Island which is WSW of Spanish Wells.   Will head into Spanish Wells tomorrow, get groceries, have lunch and walk the town, before heading south.  Winds are unsettled for a few days, so will be anchor hopping for good protection.