Hatchet Bay dinghy/boat dock
Whirlpool- the tide going out, down a blue hole, near the shoreline at the dinghy dock
The old BaTelCo office, with the herd of goats
Pigs! A herd of about a dozen of them
The Beach! Hatchet Point
Fishing for fun
The winds were going to be favorable for a sail North, so we left the bay once again for a short trip up the coast to Mutton Fish Point. We sailed on a light southeast breeze for about 3 hours and found another gorgeous anchorage to set the hook for a couple of days. We passed homes on the shore of the Exuma Sound. Some were small and some were huge, but they all had the same amazing view of the sound.
A huge home. Note the steps leading to the water, carved out of the rock wall!
A modest home…
The Cove (a resort)
We dinghyed along the shore the following morning and walked a couple of beaches. We discovered what appeared to be a public landing on a beach at the end of a road and decided to bring the dinghy to shore and walk to the street. It was approaching lunch time, so we thought we could spot Daddy Joes, a local restaurant outside Gregory Town. It was a short walk to Queens Hwy and the road came out directly across the street from the restaurant! How nice. We walked across the street and had a great lunch and great conversation with the owner. We were the only ones there at the time.
Mutton Fish Point, beyond the point is the Glass Window
We watched an osprey take a bath at low tide
Dinghy ride
A rudder, used for the entranceway to their property
A fence lining the road
Signs at Daddy Joe's
I love the signs!
After a couple of ice cold Sands Beer and a yummy lunch, we headed back across the street, into the dinghy and back to Manatee. We enjoyed a most spectacular sunset!
Shortly after hitting the sack, Ed got up one final time to check on things. He saw lights from a large boat about 1/2 mile away. It was a surprise to us as we hadn’t seen a single other boat sail by since we got here. It was dark, and we watched as the boat appeared to be anchoring. After deciding all was well, and they were anchored safely, we went back to bed. The following morning we discovered that not only was it a large boat, but it was a 100 ft. long square rigged sailing vessel. I looked at our AIS on the chart plotter to discover that the boat’s name is “Eye of the Wind”, and remembered I heard some talk on the VHF with that name. Thanks to Google, we found out that “Eye of the Wind” was built in 1911 and is still in commission, as a charter boat based out of England, available for private or corporate charters. All the sails are hand raised. The sailors literally climb the masts and open the sails manually.
Our first look at Eye of the Wind, at dawn
Winds were kicking up a bit out of the ENE, and we were ready to head back to Hatchet Bay. It was a nice motor sail down the coast, keeping close to the shoreline for comfort, yet still tacking our way south.
Stephanie came into town, so we finally got a chance to see her! We had a great time catching up, went down to Governor’s Harbour with her and Dan for a little business and a nice lunch at Leo Rose’s. It’s so hard to believe it has been 25 years since we have seen Stephanie. People don’t change. She’s still the great, kindhearted, everybody’s friend person.
Dan and Stephanie
Friday was a “surf’s up!" day. That means most of the people in the anchorage and living nearby are either surfing or on the beach watching the surf. After all, that’s why they’re all here. Since we have been hanging out with this group of surfers, we enjoyed watching them catch the waves and taking pics.
Colbey is cruising from Maine (our next door neighbors in the anchorage)
Pete, (a good friend and neighbor in the anchorage)
Ed can’t surf this year, his knee needs attention. But we really enjoyed watching our new friends surf. And I have become a real beachcomber. Developing an addiction for treasures from the beach. Ed walks with me a lot and has learned the collection process as well!
A typical bounty when we go beach combing!
We were invited to a local party at a beautiful, rather unique house in the neighborhood of Dan and Stephanie. The host is producing an album for this young rock and roll band from Spain named "Los Labias”. The band was there at the party and man were they great!
The house where the party was, taken earlier in the week. (We were walking by the house and I took pictures)
Los Labios
Whew! Eleuthera has been good to us! We love it here and will be back. Now its time to re-fuel, re-water, and re-provision.
We have a nice looking weather window after Wednesday so we will start our journey home. We’ll take our time though, and re-visit Bird Cay, then home via Bimini to the East Coast of Florida. Sounds like a fun adventure awaits!
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