Monday, April 20, 2009
20 April - Day 47. We have the Bluff Harbour anchorage on the NW side of Green Turtle Cay all to ourselves. It's a beautiful, small, shallow bay that offers protection from all but north winds. A sand bar guards the entrance and helps keep (most ;-) of us riffraff out. We had a very nice breakfast with Elizabeth and Larry Allen who own a home on the most NE point of the bay. We met Larry last night when he stopped by in his runabout. Cocktails and a tour of Nellie quickly followed. He kindly reciprocated by inviting us in this morning. Rhode Islanders, they've been coming here for many years and finally bought in 2005. The island lifestyle appears to be Robinson Caruso, i.e. a tight, friendly community that delights in their natural surroundings and where, by necessity, ingenuity abounds. By 1230 we were weighing anchor and destined for the ferry dock at Great Abaco. John and Susan were flying in and we hoped to save them from the commercial ferry ride. Halfway there it was apparent that the 20kt south easterlies weren't going to cooperate as the passenger transfer point was completely exposed. With a 'good try' under our belts we diverted to White Sound, Green Turtle Cay. We arrived to a beehive of activity; lots of coming and going. Seems 40kt winds have been forecast for this evening. Boats anchored 'outside' were coming into the safety of the Sound. While boats anchored 'inside' were departing for the added safety of a dock in Black Sound, about 1.5nm away to the south. A quick discussion with a 'grey beard' told us where the good holding was. In 8' of water we put out 80' of chain. Dinner aboard with John and Susan. We batten down and wait for the winds. 5nm today: 1281nm total. DBH
