Back to Marsh Harbour

We returned to Marsh Harbour to reprovision, but the wind predictions (and the possibility of a tropical storm) dictated that we spend a few days.  We meant to visit more islands and cross back to the U.S. with Jesse and Brittany, but unfortunately those plans had to change.  They managed to get a return flight from Marsh Harbour for Saturday, so we spent their last few days in the marina.  At least we had a really good sail on the way back.

new captains?

We reprovisioned, delivered some toys and cards to children on the island, and visited several restaurants (Snappas, Mangoes, Conchy Joe's) for lunch, dinner and happy hour -- favorite by far was Conchy Joe's.  The atmosphere is decidedly casual, but Joe's daughter can make conch fritters, cracked conch, conch salad, and trigger fish so good you want to cry.  So we cried a lot.

casual dining at Conchy Joe's

and low overhead

 Of course all that seafood makes you thirsty too.....

We had a cookout poolside one evening, which ended with a food frenzy.  Sailors in the slip beside Serendipity were leaving their boat for a time, so they brought their refrigerated food to us to share.  What should have been a lovely act of charity turned nasty, with all the Admirals in our fleet fighting over the bounty (and even stealing cheese and smuggling it).  The donor heard the commotion from her slip in the marina, so the next morning she avoided the fray and just left a bag of produce near the pool.  Brittany represented Serendipity since the Admiral was gathering up dishes, and she held her own remarkably well wih the cougars. 

poolside dining

Our next-to-last evening was spent listening to music in the cockpit of Serendipity (compliments of Bob and Stephanie's Barefoot Man CDs), blowing the conch horn at sunset, reminiscing about this and other trips, making plans for future trips, dancing, and cross-dressing.  Hey, I never said this sailing stuff was for amateurs!

Brittany graciously shares her tankini top

father/son **sh*t-eating grins

dancin to "Jeff the Muff Diver"...who can't even swim!!

Thankfully the injuries healed and the seas calmed down well enough for at least one snorkeling trip.  We walked around the island to Mermaid Reef (with a brief stop at the Jib Room so the owners of Abaco pub crawl t-shirts could check another block).  Even though they were almost mobbed by fish who were used to being fed on the reef, Jesse and Brittany had a chance to snorkel and get some great underwater shots.

foot day 5

last lunch at Snappas

It was very sad to see them pack up on Saturday morning, since they make great visitors and crew (this is their third time on Serendipity).  We'll miss them terribly, but will get to see them (and our other children and
grandchildren) when we get to the US in late June.  Their sweet cab driver promised to deliver them safely to the airport, so we hugged hard and sniffled a little and headed back to a very quiet sailboat.

come back!!

sad goodbye faces

safe trip!