Friday, January 18, 2008
At Big Major, Central Exumas
After spending nearly a week at Warderick Wells, we have moved south again and are at an anchorage called Big Major just north of Staniel Cay, Exumas.
At Warderic Wells, we spent a nice 5 days checking internet, snorkeling, diagnosing a power generation problem and getting replacement parts for our generator, and just being laid back. Since we had good internet connectivity, we spent some time getting some messages received and sent to family and friends and setting up a SKYPE (computer telephoning) account. Most of Rick's time was spent trying to figure out why our Gen-set wouldn't make electricity. Since out primary engines also make power, it wasn't a real immediate issue, just one that needed resolving, because using the big diesels to make power just isn't the most efficient use of fuel. After finding a broken main drive belt, I spent quite a bit of time trying to find a replacement belt. Of course, the part is model specific so I called the manufacturer (via SKYPE!) and ordered two to replace the one that failed. I had found out that shipping into the islands can be difficult unless one is at an island with air service. Not many have runways so that is usually a problem. We did learn, however, that Staniel Cay (our next scheduled stop on our way south) has passenger service. So I made arrangements to have the belts Fed-X'd to the airline in Ft. Lauderdale,for air freight into Staniel Cay. After a couple of days, once we anchored at Big Major, the part had arrived and Suz and I spent the better part of a day down in the forward hold getting greasy and swearing at various mechanical systems. We had to disassemble some of the drive mechanism to get the belt on the pulleys and, of course, access to that was terribly limited.But we did get it up and running again, and it seems to be properly "doing it's thing" so we feel greatly rewarded that we were able to get the job done on our own.
While at Warderick Wells Land and Sea Park, we found that through volunteerism, one can offset the mooring costs to some extent. We volunteered and although there wasn't any significant work to be completed at the time, I was able to help them do some graphic layouts for some new park signage. So maybe the next time we pass by, I'll see the signs I designed in place.
Once the design work was completed, decided to continue our trek south, to retrieve our generator belts at Staniel Cay. The wind was perfect for a good sail day and we took full advantage of it making an average of 8 knots in 15 kt. winds. Pretty good for a couple of rookies!
Once we arrived here. Rick decided it was a good time to get his annual chest/bronchial deal (lovingly referred to as "pector rhinoseros"). It has settled in, full bore, and now is causing its typical coughing spells and sinus congestion. However, work must go on, so completed the repair project and have dingied to town to have a look around.
Staniel Cay is a very laid back community of about 300 people. There is are a couple of small stores, a neat little bar/restaurant and a "resort" with private air service into the airstrip from Ft. Lauderdale. Internet is available at the bar so we'll post this this afternoon when we head in to go to the store for a few supplies. One of the islands adjacent to the main population is called Thunderball Cay. This is the place where the James Bond movie "Thunderball" movie was filmed. We are planning on dingying over to Thunderball caves later today to snorkel there. It sounds very interesting as a grotto-type cave. Another island has resident pigs who live there and come to the beach when you dingy ashore. They are not aggressive, like wild boars, and expect food scraps to be delivered to them. It is really funny to see them swim out to meet you!
We are in a really pretty anchorage with around 25 boats, not very crowded at all, awaiting another cold front which is to arrive sometime Sunday. We are all expecting 30 kt. Winds to be associated with it so having a safe place to lay low through that will be of our main concern, so we'll stay here until after it passes. Then, we'll head south toward Georgetown, the migration point for most east coast Bahamian-bound snowbirds (500-600 boats!). We aren't sure how much we'll like that scene so we will have to decide how long we'll stay there before continuing south. Some love it, some can't wait to depart. We'll see how we feel. After all... We ARE allergic to cities!
At Warderic Wells, we spent a nice 5 days checking internet, snorkeling, diagnosing a power generation problem and getting replacement parts for our generator, and just being laid back. Since we had good internet connectivity, we spent some time getting some messages received and sent to family and friends and setting up a SKYPE (computer telephoning) account. Most of Rick's time was spent trying to figure out why our Gen-set wouldn't make electricity. Since out primary engines also make power, it wasn't a real immediate issue, just one that needed resolving, because using the big diesels to make power just isn't the most efficient use of fuel. After finding a broken main drive belt, I spent quite a bit of time trying to find a replacement belt. Of course, the part is model specific so I called the manufacturer (via SKYPE!) and ordered two to replace the one that failed. I had found out that shipping into the islands can be difficult unless one is at an island with air service. Not many have runways so that is usually a problem. We did learn, however, that Staniel Cay (our next scheduled stop on our way south) has passenger service. So I made arrangements to have the belts Fed-X'd to the airline in Ft. Lauderdale,for air freight into Staniel Cay. After a couple of days, once we anchored at Big Major, the part had arrived and Suz and I spent the better part of a day down in the forward hold getting greasy and swearing at various mechanical systems. We had to disassemble some of the drive mechanism to get the belt on the pulleys and, of course, access to that was terribly limited.But we did get it up and running again, and it seems to be properly "doing it's thing" so we feel greatly rewarded that we were able to get the job done on our own.
While at Warderick Wells Land and Sea Park, we found that through volunteerism, one can offset the mooring costs to some extent. We volunteered and although there wasn't any significant work to be completed at the time, I was able to help them do some graphic layouts for some new park signage. So maybe the next time we pass by, I'll see the signs I designed in place.
Once the design work was completed, decided to continue our trek south, to retrieve our generator belts at Staniel Cay. The wind was perfect for a good sail day and we took full advantage of it making an average of 8 knots in 15 kt. winds. Pretty good for a couple of rookies!
Once we arrived here. Rick decided it was a good time to get his annual chest/bronchial deal (lovingly referred to as "pector rhinoseros"). It has settled in, full bore, and now is causing its typical coughing spells and sinus congestion. However, work must go on, so completed the repair project and have dingied to town to have a look around.
Staniel Cay is a very laid back community of about 300 people. There is are a couple of small stores, a neat little bar/restaurant and a "resort" with private air service into the airstrip from Ft. Lauderdale. Internet is available at the bar so we'll post this this afternoon when we head in to go to the store for a few supplies. One of the islands adjacent to the main population is called Thunderball Cay. This is the place where the James Bond movie "Thunderball" movie was filmed. We are planning on dingying over to Thunderball caves later today to snorkel there. It sounds very interesting as a grotto-type cave. Another island has resident pigs who live there and come to the beach when you dingy ashore. They are not aggressive, like wild boars, and expect food scraps to be delivered to them. It is really funny to see them swim out to meet you!
We are in a really pretty anchorage with around 25 boats, not very crowded at all, awaiting another cold front which is to arrive sometime Sunday. We are all expecting 30 kt. Winds to be associated with it so having a safe place to lay low through that will be of our main concern, so we'll stay here until after it passes. Then, we'll head south toward Georgetown, the migration point for most east coast Bahamian-bound snowbirds (500-600 boats!). We aren't sure how much we'll like that scene so we will have to decide how long we'll stay there before continuing south. Some love it, some can't wait to depart. We'll see how we feel. After all... We ARE allergic to cities!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
photos finally!
Lighthouse at Nassau Harbour Entry
Heading into the Gulf Stream
Sunrise on the Bahama Banks
Raising the Flag
Life Can be so Hard!
Lighthouse at Cay Biscayne
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