Bahamas - Ragged Island, Little Ragged Island Cut AGAIN

Wednesday 8 March, we left at 6am, prior to sunup, to sail to the Cut, as we needed to be there for High Tide at 8.45am. We made it and dropped anchor just north of the Cut at 8.15am and waited.

Leaving Monument Beach anchorage in the Pre-Dawn

We transited the Cut and headed south to the Ocean/Atlantic side of the islands for a faster sail, and hope to catch a Mahi-Mahi en-route. Whilst shopping at Exuma Markets, I had bought fresh produce for Karen on Sojourn so we headed to where they were anchored which was Little Ragged Island Cut (as opposed to Hog Cay Bay).

We had a great sail, and rounded the southern end of Little Ragged in darkness with our previous track and as luck had it, it was again High Tide when we got to Little Ragged Island Cut, and we could transit in darkness with our previous track and anchored at 9.30pm. A great days sail, unfortunately No Mahi-Mahi.

Next day, we popped round to Sojourn to drop of their shopping and later met ashore for Sundowners with all the yachts in the anchorage.

There is an unusually large amount of yachts in this anchorage.

Ashore, with Two of a Kind and Meshugga in the background

Since leaving here, the sun has moved further north, and now sets behind the landmass of Ragged Island. So, that means no more possibility of a Green Flash at this Beach gathering site.🙁

Living 24/7 aboard, means very little access to Beauty Salons. So here’s me doing a Home Facial

An afternoon of Mexican Train on Sojourn

Could not resist taking a photo of Meshugga as we are anchored behind Sojourn

Sun setting behind Meshugga, thanks Karen for the photo. 

Another windless day, and we, Sojourn and us, went to the South end of Little Ragged Island and dived on all our favorite coral heads with no luck for lobster. 

Suiting up

Beautiful clear water at slack high tide with nice corals

Blue Tang

Debating where to try next

Karen and Duane

Duane got a nice large lobster, apparently just ‘walking’ across the reef

Thanks Karen for the photo!

The wind being so light, we returned from the Southern end of Little Ragged on the outside/oceanside.

Nicholas and I decided to dive again on an outside reef, Karen and Duane went back to Sojourn, happy with their Lobzilla.

Nicholas diving deep, and checking out the holes for lobster

Mr Shark came to visit

Back aboard the dinghy, watching Nicholas dive

Lover’s Leap, from the Ocean side

Another Day, Another Perfect Sunrise

With no wind, you can ‘see’ the grains of sand and grass under our boat

The cookie jar is empty so it’s baking day. Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies, and Peanut Butter Cookies

Another Perfect sunset

Thursday 16 March. After all the days of NO wind, this is now the Calm before the storm. We have a front coming through tonight, and all the yachts have checked their anchors, and removed loose items lying around the deck so as not to loose them when the blow comes through around mid-night. The clouds have rolled in and the sun has disappeared.

From midnight through to 2am we had early 30 knots, gusting early 40 knots and all yachts held fast. Grateful for the rain to wash all the salt off the boat.

After the blow, our anchorage began to empty out. Here’s our friends Donna and Jerry on BlueJacket leaving. They’ll head north and onwards to Oriental in North Carolina.

St Patricks Day, and we suggested the remaining boats gather ashore to celebrate with Sunset Drinks, Snacks and a bonfire.

Nicholas and Karen starting the Bonfire. Karen and Nicholas in Green!

Michelle and Darcy of New Ambitions

Duane and Karen who came dressed for St Pats Day

Di and Bob of Two of a Kind, Michelle and Darcy of New Ambitions, me (in green shorts) and Nicholas, Duane and Karen (taking the photo) (Thanks Karen!). Our little tribe here is growing smaller each day.

Nice Bonfire

Di and Bob on Two of a Kind, going to Duncan Town’s Gun Dock to meet the Mailboat Capt C to collect their groceries from Nassau, and then onward to Hog and start their trip north back to Florida, USA

Bahamas - Exumas, Kieran and Nathaniel come to Visit

Great excitement!!!

Our son Kieran flew into Georgetown on Sunday morning for a 10 day visit, not only to see us, but his business partner, Nathaniel was to fly in on Monday for a week, for them to spend time away from the office strategizing, and working online during the week together. They also factored in time off to explore the Bahamas.

Sunday afternoon also brought our good friends Brad and Johanna of PV Selah, hailing from Savanna, to Georgetown for a night stop en-route to Turks and Caicos. We just had to do and intense catchup for no idea when we’ll see them next. We had dinner aboard Meshugga and also invited our other amazing friends Ian and Margaret of SV Loco Lola 111.

Me, Margaret, Ian, Johanna, Nicholas and Brad (thanks to Kieran for taking the photo).

Nathaniel arrived Monday and we dinghied to February Point’s Rusty Anchor for lunch only to find them closed 🤔

Beautiful vista from the pool deck adjacent the Rusty Anchor

A quick trip to Chat n Chill for cold Kaliks, a keek around and see the friendly Rays.

 

A vote was taken to skip the Fun Regatta events Meshugga had signed up for, and rather do a tour around various Bahama islands, as neither Kieran nor Nathaniel had been to Bahamas before.

We decided to up anchor and take a leisurely sail around the islands north of Stocking. First stop was at White Cay to see the Pigs. We found they had no water and we ran back to Meshugga, numerous times to fill up all our Gallon water canisters and ferried fresh water to fill the Pigs water tanks. They were very thirsty and the big Pigs butted the littler ones out their way until they were so full they lay down in the shade. Only then the littler Pigs could drink. 

Nathaniel with baby Pigs

An overnight stop, and next day to Booysies Cay to see the Geyser.

An afternoon dive on David Copperfield’s Piano at Rudder Cut.

Evening BBQ’s aboard Meshugga

Working whilst dinner is prepped

Cave exploring 

Diving the Grotto at Staniel Cay, where James Bond movie was filmed

Swimming with the Pigs at Pigs Beach at Big Majors

Kieran, who is an excellent sailor, took the Hobie Wave, with Nathaniel as a passenger (as he has no idea how to sail), and sailed the 5 miles from Staniel Cay to Black Point. Taking the shallow route which Meshugga could not, and stopping to dive the Rocky islands en-route they arrived at Black Point much the same time as us on Meshugga.

Drinks and Dinner at Black Point Yacht Club

We sailed back to Georgetown, and had time enough for diving in the Moriah National Park, south of Stocking Island

Final goodbye photo at Island Boy whilst waiting for the Nathaniel’s taxi. It was awesome to meet Nathaniel, and very pleased that Kieran has such a wonderful person as his business partner. FYI see Plinth.com

We got to spend one final night with Kieran, before he flew out next day. All good things come to an end. But it’s just until next time we see him. In the meantime there is Face Time….

As Nathaniel is a Vegan, I made Lobster on a night that Nathaniel was not there. Slathered in Garlic butter and ready for the Grill.

After Kieran left in his taxi, we went to Exuma Market (Supermarket), to re-stock up with fresh produce and bumped into more good friends, Karen and Jerry of Persephone. We arranged to do sunset drinks at the Piano Boat Concert at Sand Dollar beach, both in our dinghies, as Meshugga had anchored at Monument Beach and Persephone at Kidds Beach.

Marvelous music, good company, we had a great evening.

David on The Piano Boat

Pano of about 100 dinghies at the Concert

Jerry and Karen

Stunning Sunset