After 3 busy days at Rock Island, Eleuthera, where we got our ripped main sail repaired, changed the oil, made 4 dinghy trips to shore for diesel, grocery shopping, and two trips for laundry, we had to decide to stay on for another 4-5 days due to weather, or take the one day window on Friday to make the 75 mile trip over to Cat Island.
We decided to go for it, along with s/v Passages and s/v MonAmie
It was a long, 15hr grueling day of motor sailing into high winds and seas where we were only able to fly our small aft mizzen sail and stay sail for most of the trip ...making all of 4 knots ... but we arrived safe and sound at New Bight, Cat Island. Another new spot for us to visit this season.
We left Rock Sound at 5am - anchorage in bay on the far left
7 hours later, we were rounding the tip of Eleuthera.
Around 2pm, we were finally able to put up both head sails which increased our speed to 6.0-6.5 knots. Seas calmed down, and it was a great afternoon to be on the water. It's often like that -- half the day can totally suck and then conditions change and you forget all that (kinda like childbirth!).
Around 5pm, the wind dropped so we raised the main sail, and Dan patched more small rips. Dan's not totally happy with the repair so we kept the main sail reefed (shortened) which works well b/c the tear is just below the first set of reefing points. We'll baby it for awhile longer ...
We arrived at the anchorage at New Bight, Cat Island at 8pm. s/v Passages arrived about a hour before us which was nice for us b/c they turned on several lights so we could easily tell where they were anchored. 8 boats in the huge bay, and 4 left early the next morning, so it feels like we have the place to ourselves. After hearing that there are 75 boats at Black Point (our favorite stop in the Exumas) and 40 boats down at Hog Cay in the Ragged Islands, we think we'll stay here for a while and enjoy the open spaces.
Gotta love an anchorage where you can dinghy right up to shore.
Sunday, Feb 10. Attended the first Catholic church we've seen in the Bahamas.
This is the last Catholic church by Father Jerome before his retirement.
Very nice. Small, intimate.
Dave and Mary - s/v Mon Amie
Hiking up to Father Jermone's retirement home, the Hermitage.
We look at pictures of the Hermitage every time we open our Far Bahamas chart book, so it was a highlight of our trip to finally visit it in person. It's even more amazing to realize that Father Jerome built this himself -- and it's a steep climb to the top.
Stations of the Cross line the walk up.
The Hermitage
Father Jerome's retirement home
That's Dan in the arch. Fr. Jerome had to be a little guy!
Sharing the hike and view with s/v Passages
The entire anchorage is lined with sandy beaches.
Vendor booths on shore.
After spending the day on shore, we stopped by one of the vendors for a beer and rum drink. There was a 3-for-$10 beer special so we had to stay for that too! Then s/v Passages and s/v MonAmie came ashore so we stayed for dinner (cracked conch, fried chicken, fried fish, potato salad, mac/cheese, vegies =$10)
They call it a "Rake and Scrape"
The guy on the left is playing a cross-cut saw with a flat-head screw driver, and it made an amazing sound. The locals were quite impressed with Dan's dancing legs so we're now known on shore! The guy in the middle asked where we were from, and when he said "Minnesota", he replied: "ah, I love Minnesota. The Vikings, the Gophers, the Timberwolves ...!)
Cat Island is an incredibly friendly island. Everyone waves and offers rides if you are walking on the main road. There are only 4 boats here and we'd love to stay for a few weeks. Unfortunately, by Saturday,West winds of 20+knots are predicted, and west winds are the one direction where there is absolutely no protection from the wind which is blowing across the wide ocean directly at us. So, we'll to leave and find a more protected place ... probably move over to Emerald Bay marina where we know we'll be safe and comfortable. Sigh. gotta come back here ....
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