Coming and going

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With plans to leave Rock Sound Tuesday morning, we took a chance on the gloomy weather Monday afternoon for one last shore excursion to discard trash and go to the market. We waited for just the right break in the windy gloom, then lowered the dinghy and dashed ashore.

As our dear friend, Peggy, pointed out, however, our “timing sucked.” Just as we came out of the store, happily toting sacks of groceries, the bottom dropped out. While tucked against the side of the building, hiding under the awning to wait for the rain to subside, we were joined by one of the local strays, edging in closer and closer as the rain blew in sideways.

Please take me with you…

The rain stopped just long enough for us to walk (sprint?) back to the dinghy and started again as soon as we left the dinghy dock. After returning to the boat, unloading packages, and donning dry clothes, Rock Sound was graced by a spectacular rainbow! We could see the whole thing, but I couldn’t find a vantage point from which to capture it. And it was still raining. I dashed about the boat in the rain, trying to get a shot of both ends. Needed windshield wipers for my readers…and more dry clothes.

Let’s try from the port side…
Nope, perhaps from starboard….
Certainly not from up here. Just a nice view of the wet clothes and shopping totes hung out to dry.
PS – Honey, our Bahamian courtesy flag is no longer very “courteous.” We should really change that out… 🙂

Tuesday morning, many of the boats left Rock Sound. As we headed out behind Simplicity and rounded the corner of the sound, there were already nine sails on the horizon, heading north. Very pretty!

Dave and Peggy, happily on their way

Once we cleared the shallow water off Powell Point at the bottom of the reverse “ↄ” of Eleuthera, it was lines in the water! Lines, as in two this time. Doubling the chance to waste more tackle… oh, sorry… catch a fish.

Optimism going out on the starboard side
And doubling the odds by also dropping a line on the port side
Alas, still no fish for the SaltyMare, but Simplicity caught one!
(and was that chuckling we heard from over there…)

After a smooth crossing and then setting the anchor, Todd couldn’t wait to get in the water. Splash! A few minutes later, he surfaced with a conch, on which we’d apparently dropped said anchor. (Well, that’s one way to catch something.) Sorry, buddy. Upon placing the treasures on the swim platform, Todd exclaimed, “Grab the spear!” Apparently right below was a good-sized Ocean Trigger Fish laughing and waggling his fins at him. Nanny, nanny, boo, boo. It worked, as it left the area before Todd could get him. Burgers for dinner.

Swimming & fishing
Look, Duke, “I got one!”
We returned the conch to the sea to nurse its headache & kept the pretty little shell
But I still want to catch a fish!

So, this morning, our optimistic fishermen took the dinghy back through the cut to the deeper side of Ship Channel Cay, hoping to catch something. Perhaps the fish wouldn’t recognize Todd in the little boat and he’d get a bite.

  • Loading up the Lil Filly
  • Fingers crossed, guys
  • The boys heading in after a few hours of vigorously tossing around in 3-4 ft seas.
    They both got soaked. Dave caught a snapper.
    I believe Todd is hiding his head in shame.

As we head into this time of exploring with Dave & Peggy, it means bidding adieu (for now) to John & Madeleine, as Chanceaux is starting their journey north today. Thank you Madeleine, for the beautiful sand dollars. Until we meet again, wishing you Fair Winds and Following Seas!

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