Fowl Cay and Back to Pipe Creek

A Trip to Fowl Cay and Back to Pipe

Today is Wednesday February 10th and we are back in Pipe Creek after a two day, one night trip north to Fowl Cay. Once again the weather has driven us back to an anchorage that gives us protection from the westerlies. Chris Parker, the morning cruiser's weather guru has said that this weather is very unusual for The Bahamas. In fact, the weather we are expecting this weekend is a frontal low rather than a high pressure front and he has said that he has never seen this happen in The Bahamas and he has been forecasting weather here for almost ten years. What that means for us is that we hunker down for the possibility of winds gusting to 40 knots or more. We don't worry because this is a good anchorage and Big Bruce, our Bruce anchor is well dug into the sandy grass bottom. Most days we snorkel over Bruce to see how he looks and once we know he is dug in we can sleep more soundly. Every once in awhile there is always a chance that another boat will drag so we always have to be on the alert but most boaters that have made it this far have learned how to anchor.

Last Sunday we headed out the Thomas Cut and north to a little cay just south of Exuma Park called Fowl. We snorkelled off of Lynn and Peter's dinghy in a grotto called Rocky Dundas. It was interesting to swim into the cave and see all the rock formations. There were also lots of fish and coral to see because Rocky Dundas is in the park. The exciting thing for me was that with a little help from both Rob and Peter I was able to hoist myself into the dinghy without hurting my arm. It wasn't pretty but I managed just fine. So far we have done all of our snorkelling off of Celebrian so this was a major breakthrough for me. In the afternoon Rob and Peter took the Spirit kayaks and circumnavigated the cay as it was quite calm. When they returned the admirals took a spin in the protected waters of the anchorage and I am delighted to report that my arm did not hurt me while paddling, nor did I suffer any pain as a result of the paddling. I am hoping that I have turned the corner on my injury and with due care will continue to improve. The next morning we left to return to Pipe to be ready for the next front.

Yesterday we ventured to shore for a sea glass hunt on the ocean side. The picture shows the sea glass hunters. Lynn made us a little votive candle with sea glass and now she is collecting it to do a lamp for their new house. I am going to try and put sea glass on one of our small lanterns to make it more attractive. Everyone has to have a hobby.

We had been invited to dinner on First Edition last night but had to cancel because the wind picked up and Rob wasn't sure whether he would be able to row us home? Lynn has also been dealing with losing a crown off a back molar tooth. She hasn't been in any pain but nonetheless it has been a worry. She has to fly home to New Jersey in two weeks to see her rheumatoid arthritis specialist so now she is seeing her dentist as well. Peter will stay on the boat and when she gets back we plan on going to the Jumentos. Lynn and Peter didn't get there with us last year so they would like to go this winter. Lynn has had her fair share of bad luck this past year but as always she stays very positive.

Today I have been catching up on computer work as well as doing some baking. Rob has been modifying a locker in the cockpit. The wind is blowing about 25-30 so we won't be going far; however we hope to snorkel off the boat on a nearby reef at slack tide this afternoon.

Last night the low pressure went through in the wee hours of the night with squalls gusting upwards to 40 knots....gratefully not the predicted 50. We were as ready as you can be with instruments on and clothes laid out if we had to re set the anchor; however Big Bruce was once again the hero of the night. we did not do anchor watches but we both were up and alert when the squalls went through. We had hoped to fill our water tank with rain but most of the squalls were dry. Gratefully everyone had an uneventful, albeit tiring night. Today the wind is blowing about 25 to 30 so everyone is staying put. I am making bread and yoghurt this morning and we hope to swim ashore this afternoon.

We have enjoyed the last couple of days before the wind started to howl yesterday afternoon. We sailed Goldberry for two days and toured the south end of Pipe Creek. Sailing the dinghy is so much fun and a great way to sight see. Peter and Lynn took some pictures of us so we may be on their blog. The evening before was so calm that Peter and Lynn came for a BBQ; however just like at home the weather can change at the drop of a hat.

Yesterday I saw an eagle ray jump twice out of the water and if that wasn't enough both Rob and I got to see the same thing while we were sailing the dinghy. I suspect it is the same ray and I have also seen him while snorkelling. Even from a distance he puts on quite a show so he is a good size. From a distance in the water his tail looks to be close to 4 feet long. The eagle rays are larger than the stingrays. Generally we see more sting rays while snorkelling so these jump sightings are very special.

For Valentine's Day we joined Lynn and Peter for a dinghy excursion to the outer banks at Pipe Creek. Mr. Johnson, our powerful 3 HP engine was the hero of the day as he had to pull Lynn and Peter's dinghy home to our anchorage after Mr.Mac the Merc, their outboard engine died. Rob and Peter had been working on the engine and had hoped that they had successfully fixed it; unfortunately it seems to be a problem that may or may not need new parts. First Edition has decided to sail to Nassau to get the motor fixed and buy a new motor if all else fails. Lynn has changed her flight to leave from Nassau next week. Celebrian will make her way south to the Jumentos and will either meet up with First Edition there or on the way north to the Abacos.