Quentin went home Dec 18

Friday Dec 18

So this morning we got up and got Quentin's packs sorted out. He stuffed his pockets with all of his Rubik's cubes and skylanders that wouldn't fit in his two bags.  I don't know how he managed to not pass out in the heat He wore a sweater and long pants and his jacket to the airport. His pants are now 4 inches too short and we measured him last night ...5'7". Grown a tad!  

His computer bag must have weighted 40 lbs and didn't quite fit in the required measuring cage but it was staggering to see the number of suitcases and oversized bags some other people managed to carry on.  It cost an extra 25.00 US or Bahamian [same thing] for his checked luggage... what a rip-off Air Canada is!

We went out front of the marina to catch a cab. We didn't want to put out the marina staff so we didn't bother to get her to call one, and we ended up paying $45.00 to the airport...scenic route...She told us when we got back that it should only have cost us $35.00 [and we didn't tip the guy...he owns the cab...not like he's forking it over to a company.] |In fact he told us there is no income tax here... what you make, you take home.

We went into "Wendy's" [ugh] for a drink while we were waiting for boarding. Quentin sat there dazzling a few people with his Rubik skills, [I watched people watching him] and we waited. Finally we let him go through security when there were no other people around so we could watch, in case they stripped him of his cubes, but he managed to pass the scrutiny machines and gave us the high sign as he put his shoes back on and went up the escalator to the departure lounge.

We hung around until the plane was scheduled to take off but there was nowhere we could watch so we guessed, then when we went back in and the Air Canada counter was dark.  We figured all had gone according to plan so we fond another taxi and left. There's no public transportation out there but this time the taxi only cost $35.00[US] and the driver didn't talk.

The dock we were at was right inside the marina... going in I had to make three left hand tight turns and I was thinking "what part of 'hard to manoeuvre' didn't she understand when we called in?" |but I was more focussed on the task at hand...getting to the dock; getting Quentin to his plane with all the necessary permits!

So, today, with the winds up and pushing us against the dock, when we got back, I knew it was going to be tough to get out of there. While we were gone they put a huge 65 foot cat beside us! He stuck 15 feet out past the end of the dock. [And we didn't fill the whole slip!] When he heard our engine start he started pulling out monster fenders and lining the front of his boat! I said to him, "What?? You don't trust my driving??"

The dock hands tried to pull us out to turn us around but we wouldn't work against the wind, so I had to back her along the wall, out past the big yachts in the slips, and turn her in the first corner. I felt a bit smug, seeing the looks of surprise on the mega cat guys watching me with their mouths open...even the "eye candies" in the "almost-bathing suits" looked surprised that I [an old lady] could manage to back it up. Got lots of high signs and waves too, from the big boat owners as I passed. [They were also relieved that I didn't hit them!]

SO we went to Rubis's fuel dock then headed out the channel. We passed lots of boats coming in I guess people were getting ready to go "home" for Christmas.  They were all calling marinas for berths.

When we got out to Porgee Rocks, we had a "discussion" about whether to keep going or to anchor close to Nassau. In all honesty, I was expecting a call from someone to say Quentin was still t the airport and we would have to go back to get him...I AM NOT neurotic! I needed to be parent for him on this end and it's my job to expect or anticipate the worst case scenario.  I called Liz and she couldn't find him, but by 5 PM I knew he was safe, so we settled in for the night.

 It is 5:30 pm and we are sitting in Bottom Harbour just outside of Nassau, pitching and rolling [ok, slightly, but still...]. And we are having a drink while Rick records the day's movements and I try to write this without dropping the computer because the boat is rocking in the swells.

We are anchored with four other boats, one of which is Dos Libras...remember them?  We gave them some lifejackets in Georgetown last year and we met them in No Name Harbour again. Rick wanted to head out over the banks tonight but it was already 4:30 pm and the sky was clouding over so it would be dark earlier. This was a better decision than heading out over the banks and anchoring again in the middle of nowhere.