s/v Serendipity: 06/12/11

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!

Tilloo and Lynyrd Cays Revisited

Since we enjoyed our previous beach bonfires so much, we wanted to share them with Jesse and Brittany. The rest of our group graciously agreed to revisit some of our previous haunts, so we headed for Tilloo with its great beach retreat. We anchored close to the beach and managed a few daylight hours to shell and play horseshoes, then some great evening hours to watch the gorgeous sunset, roast hot dogs and make s'mores. The highlight of the evening for Brittany was the phosphorescence (mermaid sprinkles). She couldn't get enough of the amazing lights, and even got into the dinghy after we returned to the boat so she could wave her hands (and the boat hook) in the water and try to capture it on film. Once again, photos don't do justice to the beauty we've witnessed, but it's always fun to try.

girls can too play horseshoes!

Stephen plays much better if he's goosed

Jay and Bob back from thieving chairs at another beach

the younguns

The next day we went to Lynyrd Cay on the Atlantic side to search for sea glass. We all collected quite a bagful, along with shells, so everyone can expect seaglass and shell treasures for Christmas. We then loaded into the high-speed dinghies (September Song and Tide's In) to visit Pete's Pub at Little Harbour for lunch. The food was as good (and the beer as cold) as we remembered, and we had a very exciting ride back to the boats. The waves and wind were honking, so we zoomed back bumping all the way. We were glad we'd visited the facilities before heading back (and those who hadn't weren't found out since we were all soaked). A great revisit to Tilloo and Lynyrd Cays for everyone, and thanks to our fellow travelers for indulging us.

searching for sea glass

they believed us when we said we'd be right back!!

foot day 4

Hopetown

Even though we had walking wounded, our next stop involved some walking.

Foot day 2

We eased into Hopetown Harbour (with almost 1/2" to spare under the keel) to pick up a mooring ball. The Harbour was heavily populated by boats, and offered a gorgeous view of the town. We walked around the town admiring the quaint cottages (it felt like Cape Cod in the Bahamas) with their gingerbread trim and inviting entrances and lawns. We trekked over the hill to the beach, then started to gather for refreshments.

We had begun to have hints that Jesse and Brittany have the metabolism of ferrets. Since we old poops metabolize slowly (if at all), we were used to meals and the occasional hors d'oeuvres (which sometimes replace meals). The younger ones didn't eat much at one sitting, but required feedings about every 45 minutes. We indulged one such feeding at Cap'n Jacks. More conch for Jesse and Brittany, who pledged to leave no conch untasted while in the Abacos.

cute little woodwork whales

welcoming entrance

beautiful and bright Bahamian color scheme

The next day Summer Wind and Serendipity stayed over to visit the lighthouse. We're so glad we did, because it was not only amazing in itself, but also offered an outstanding view of Hopetown, the harbour, and the waters surrounding.