Govenors Harbour - Bahamas

The weather was mixed as we sailed to our next destination and when we arrived we had to take a mooring boy instead of anchoring because the ground was to hard for the anchor to dig into. This is not a problem but it costs and I think we had spent enough lately. Never mind it can't be helped.
After we were all moored up we went ashore to have a look around and we decided to get something to eat there too. As we waited for our food to be prepared we were told that there was a festival on and we should go and have a look as it started about 7pm.

After some amazing food we wondered to the festival which the noise was electrifying. Lots of music being played, food stalls and beer being consumed and this was just the start of it. Sienna saw some candy floss and had to have some of it and as her back was turned I pinched a little bit. Well it was my job to wynd her up. Ha Ha.
Just after 7pm the street was full of dancers of fantastic costumes and they were being judged by some very serious judges and we later found out its a very big thing to win, plus it was on the tv too.
We never stayed to the end as it was getting late for Sienna and we were all tired anyway.

We all woke after a good nights sleep and were ready to look around and we also needed fuel for the dingy. Simon and Kim were also going to buy a sim free mobile as theirs was on its way out and they also wanted to see if they could get a good deal for the internet. After a successful day and they also got a great deal on the mobile plus internet while in the Bahamas we decided to sail to our next destination. It was only a days sail away but we wanted to that sail to be closer to the following destination where we will be able to swim and snorkel.

 

Wind, Rain and Sunshine - Bahamas

We never left the boat for 2 days while the wind blew up to 40 knots, the rain came down so fast that it filled up an empty bucket in a few hours but we did not let it dampen our spirits. I was reading a book about the youngest girl to sail around the world. Kim and Sienna did lots of school work and Kim also did a few blogs and vlogs on her channel. If you would like to read their blog then click here Sailing Britican
Simon was reading the forecast and looking for the next island to go too. He was also looking for a break in the weather as we had not registered in the Bahamas and needed to do so. Yes, its not our fault the weather was so bad that we could not get ashore but we did need to let them know we are here so we could pay our dues.

The second the weather cleared we headed ashore to get some bread, milk and also to register the boat at the customs. We met a couple who were moored next to us and they offered to take their boat to shore instead of ours as they could get closer. We would go in the dingy but we were about 5 miles away from customs and a big boat was better. We did take our dingy for the last little bit which was handy as the couple were going to do their own thing. Once we had paid our dues we were entitled to stay in the Bahamas for 6 months which was great and it cost £200 to be in their waters. Its funny as it would not cost a thing at home or in Europe but I suppose its a way of making money for them,

We were moored in a little place called Royal Island Bay and it was the perfect place to be during the bad weather as it was totally sheltered to all the elements. Well so off.
I went for a wander one day around the island and it was really nice to get away on my own. This does not mean I was not getting on with the gang because I was but, I just wanted to explore and after being stuck on the boat for 2 days during the storm it was the perfect way to do it.
The island was not big and did not take to long to go around it but I was really nice and I also saw a few birds that I have never seen before either. There was also a ruin of an old house which I later heard was a rich man's who had gone bankrupt and left it to fall down.

After a few days at Royal Island Bay we left and headed towards Governors Harbour which was just a days sail away.

   Thank you once again for reading our blog until next time......

OVER AND OUT

Sailing to Bahamas

As dark approached all we could see were the lights of Miami as we headed out to sea. We were going to be at sea for two days so we were hoping the weather was going to behave itself and we would get there in good time with no hick ups at all.

The lights in Miami were getting smaller as we sailed into the distance but then all of a sudden it was the New Year and all the fireworks light up the sky above the city. I have never been at sea on New Years before but this was something special. All the colours of the rainbow shot up into the sky along the coastline and it looked like lots of different areas had their own display but because we were so far away from land we got to see them all together which was extra special.

After the fireworks finished I went to bed for a few hours as Simon was going to do the 1st shift and then it was my turn in about 4 hours time. After Simon went to bed I was in command and it was a beautiful night. Clear skies and stars everywhere which was amazing. I know I come from an area which is light pollution free and I tend to take the stars for granted but being out here with the waves splashing against the side the boat and nothing but the stars to look at was unreal. This is when you can let your imagine run wild and when the sunrise came up it was the icing on the cake.

Day 1 was described by Simon as Champaign Sailing, as it was flat calm, sunny and perfect winds which made us do an average of 7 knots all day.
After lunch I listened to some music, laid back in the sunshine and once again let my mind run wild with a small grin on my face. As I was enjoying the vibes I heard the clicker go on the fishing line. With no time to waste I started to reel it in and when I got it on board I realised I had just caught my first Tuna. Boy was I happy and everyone was looking forward to eating tuna for our dinner tonight. Kim got me a knife and when I started to fillet it I noticed was it was full of some sort of parasite. Little tiny white things were inside of its skin so instead of taking any chances I threw it back in. What a pity and I was really looking forward to providing the family with some fresh tuna for dinner.

I think today was the best day so far and I was really looking forward to getting to the Bahamas and just exploring the different islands.

Day 2 was a little overcast but nothing to complain about and the sailing was good to. We only had a few hours to go until we arrived at our 1st destination but we had to keep an eye out when we got closer as some parts were really shallow and did not want anymore of that, thank you.

A few hours later we spotted land and it was a really fantastic feeling knowing that in a few hours we had sailed from one country to another and we would be swimming in beautiful clear waters. I was getting very excided now and as we approached our final destination I could not wait to get anchored and get out and explore.

We were anchored in a tiny sheltered bay with 5 other yachts and it was perfect. I offered to cook breakfast for everyone to celebrate and while I was in the middle of doing it I heard Kim scream "Andrew come quickly, its a shark" The second I got onto deck I saw Simon jump into the water and swim towards it. It was massive and when Simon realised how big it was he quickly got out of the water. He shouted across to the boat that it was a Hammer Head and was about 18ft long. No wonder he got out so quickly as I think I would have done the same myself, but then I was thinking he was a a lucky git to see it so close. Oh well you can't win them all.

After breakfast Simon and I went for a snorkel while Kim home schooled Sienna for a few hours. It was clear and we spotted a lobster which we had to get but we did not have the spear gun to catch it so we headed back to the boat to find it.  When we got back to the place were we had seen it, it had gone. There goes another free meal.

By the time we got back to the boat it was about 4pm and it was time to think about dinner and a good nights sleep but that all changed in 15 minutes as the rain started and then the winds came. We had gusts of 40 knots with driving rain on top of that which was not pleasant at all.

It rained and blew a gale all night long and when we woke up the next day it was still the same. Will we ever get of this boat, who knows but you will have to wait for the next blog.

Once again thank you for reading our blog and if you would like to watch some of our videos too the click on this link for our YouTube channel

OVER AND OUT