With the westerly winds predicted to gust into the 40 knot range we were definitely in the right place. Boats were moored and/or anchored in Cambridge Cay and they all sat in anticipation of the ”snot getting kicked out of them”. However…….as luck would have it, the largest gust we saw was 28 knots and with that we all were elated. You anticipate anything when on a mooring ball, just like at anchor, stuff happens…..the lines may chafe and the boat breaks free or as is the case more times than not, your lines get twisted on the mooring pendant and you can break away from it when you want to. Much was the case for a neighboring boat as they tried to leave yesterday. They were traveling with friends…..actually family…..the two mono hauls were sisters with their husbands and they were heading to another anchorage when the one could not get away from the mooring pendant. Luckily one of the boats near them dropped their dinghy and went over to help. It is in times like this that I am of no use because I would just cut the line…..but no…..you fight with all your might and then the might of a fellow sailor or two to preserve the line.
With ease Paradigm Shift left the comfort of the mooring and headed south back to Big Majors and we tried to get as close as we could to some friends and to Pirate Beach (aka Cruisers Beach). There is typically each evening a happy hour on the beach so being close to it makes the dinghy ride a little easier. Today the temperatures are extremely cool for this time of year and every is bundled up in the comfort of their boats but it did not take much more than an ember or two ignited on the beach to bring a few cruisers out for a conversation and a libation.
We met a lot of new folks and enjoyed a fire for about two hours or so as we watched the sun set. The sailboat in the sunset looks as though it were set ablaze as well. This anchorage is such a fun spot to be as it is home to the ”Pig Beach” that all the tourist boats come in for and then there is the Thunderball Grotto from the James Bond movie right around the corner for snorkeling. This is also a great area for paddle boarding and to go into Staniel Cay for some entertainment as you watch folks swim with the nurse sharks and rays. The big mega yachts are usually at Staniel Cay Yacht Club so they know how to entertain there. The food there at the yacht is good as well and today I think we will head in to get a bit of lunch and walk to the local grocers to see what is remaining on their shelves.
We will finally get to see another Selene here today as well as Asante’ is here and parked or anchored on our stern. There is an odd Nordhaven here as well. Greg stopped to talk with him a few moments to find that they have done some serious cruising. Makes us feel so small when we have only done the Bahamas. Here we go……there is a group talking of going further south to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and then even beyond. That is always on the cruisers mind, but I think for these it is best to go with what we know and love.
