Saturday 19-Sunday 20

December 19

We got up at 6:00 am to get started across the banks. AS we were hauling up anchor and turning, Dos Libras called and said that there was a huge blow coming in and they were staying put 'til Monday. We told them we were heading to Allen's Cay, and she said..."make like a bunny and run fast"

We got out past our waypoint, turned down and the winds were pushing finally! We started out with 13-15 knot winds and we made it 28 miles in 5 hours. We were doing anywhere between 4-6.5 knots. For some reason the GPS's were reading 6-8 knots but ya' just can't trust technology anymore.

At one point there was a fabulous rainbow that stretched across the banks behind us...Full colour and so bright that it actually reflected on the water surfaces which was amazing because the waves were 2-3 meters. It lasted a very long time! I was hoping that it was another sign that we were going to have a better luck...NOT

By the time we were half way over the winds were up to 20-25 knots and we had a helluva time getting the jib [we only sailed with the jib] in because the winds were at 30 coming into this anchorage.  We couldn't get it in all the way and had to rig up some extra blocks and lines to stop the ropes from rubbing on the shrouds [for you non-sailor: the wires that hold up the mast.] It actually wore partway through the starboard line so we'll have to replace that one

Someone was in our spot!!! Some little Canadian sailboat called Yo-Yo was anchored right where we like to put the hook down. We tried to anchor in there as well but the anchor wouldn't hold so we moved up to the other end between Allen Cay and Leaf Cay. There is lots of room in between the islands and we have both anchors out. The winds are running between 28-35 mph but we are holding well. 

We spend the rest of the day reading, watching the GPS to make sure we weren't moving and listening to other boaters discuss moves.

I made soup for supper and we watched all the current NCIS Rick had downloaded before we left the marina [using their Wi-Fi] and some Modern Family.

Sunday Dec 20

Last night was restless, waking up every hour or so to check t see if we had dragged at all ... but w were good.  The winds are still up around 30 knots.

Rick remarked this morning that it's a good thing Quentin went home from Nassau because we won't get out of here until Monday or Tuesday and he would never have made his flight out of Georgetown. We still have 100 miles to go. We might not even be there by Christmas Day. And I'm not sure you will be reading this before Christmas

The winds continue to clock 27-35 knots, so we are staying put until they die down and we can move on safely...or at least comfortably. We are well-stocked. And we are only 5 miles from a marina if we need anything. I just wish the phone would work in here! I can see the BaTelCo tower from here! But the phone says there is no service...GRRRRRR!