2012-02-25 Arrivals!!
So today we decided to move to town and do some shopping and then anchor near sand Dollar Beach and organise a water taxi to take us into George Town later to collect Estelle and Alastair. We upanchored and on our way Mary espied two mooring balls vacant near Volleyball Beach (Chat ‘n’ Chill). At this time we were passing Elvis in his water taxi. He also happens to be the harbour master so Mary radioed him to ask if a ball was actually available. One was. So we about turned headed into Gaviota Bay and picked up the mooring ball – without wrecking and losing a boat hook. While there we organised a pump out – good grief, it’s amazing how quickly 2 people can fill a 40 gal tank!!! We then dinghied the 1.25 mile into George Town and bout some essential supplies (beer mainly, oh and a few groceries) We were so loaded that I couldn’t get the dinghy to plane on the way back to Amanzi, so it was a slow trip back!
Later, Elvis picked us up in his water taxi and ferried us to George Town government dock. There we proceeded to had a beer – Elvis had a supply in a cooler on his water taxi – and waited for the new arrivals. Estelle and Alastair duly arrived looking quite frazzled after their long trip from Scotland and were happy to get back to Amanzi via Elvis’ water taxi again.
Collapsed into bed after a light dinner and slept soundly
2012-02-26 Pig Roast at Chat ‘n’ Chill
Took ourselves off to Volleyball Beach and showed Alastair and Estelle around. Then we had a great pork roast at the Chat ‘n’ Chill for lunch. Sadly, though, the crackling was very soggy and not crackly at all but the rest was great. This was the first time we had rice and peas which is a traditional Bahamian dish which we have avoided till now as we envisaged white rice and green peas but this was spicy rice with black peas and tasted really good. Spent the afternoon lazing around.
2012-02-27 Anchors dragging – Pet Parade and Official Regatta Opening
Last night was an extremely bumpy night as the wind piped up to around 20-25 knots. Earlier yesterday we watched as a sailboat tried to squeeze into a small area in front of a motor yacht (MY) and behind the first line of mooring balls. It was very entertaining as he tried 4 times to set his anchor, It was a case of down anchor, up anchor, reverse a full 360 degrees, reposition, drop anchor, try to set it, it’s too close to the motor yacht, up anchor and try again – FOUR times!! Makes you think!
Anyway, Mary was awake due to the wind around midnight and noticed said sailboat moving backwards in the dark!!! Looked to be reversing again. Then the shouting started. Mary woke me up to tell me the yacht was dragging its anchor. Sure enough it was almost colliding with the motor yacht!!! We had grandstand seats for this but they managed to extricate themselves and anchored behind the motor yacht. This morning the motor yacht moved elsewhere and soon after the yacht moved in the same direction. Hopefully they didn’t go and anchor in front of the MY again!!!!
After lunch we went to the “pet parade” put on by the cruisers with their pets and then stayed for the official opening which was really excellent entertainment put on by various very talented cruisers
Quite an interesting experience trying to find Amanzi in the dark with a multitude of other boats around all displaying only a single anchor light. We knew the rough direction and it was quite close so didn’t really have any trouble. Some boats were anchored more than a mile away so I guess they had a very wet dinghy ride back to their boats!
2012-02-28 George Town
Today I completed some small projects – including setting up my new iPad after the last one died. We then got a pump out (again!!!) and then took a water taxi into town across the harbour. It was pretty windy and there was quite a chop so we decided to forego Amadink and use the water taxi instead. In town we got some laundry done and then went to Club Peace and Plenty for lunch but we were too late so headed across the road for a lovely light meal at the Driftwood Café.
More shopping – fins for Estelle and Alastair – and then some supplies including a case of Kalik – the local beer which I find very tasty and enjoyable. Then it was a walk back to the water taxi carrying all the supplies which included 2 cases of soft drinks cans. Waited arounf chatting to some other cruisers who had flown back home for 3 weeks and were returning to their boat. They actually have a young (30s) crew member who actually sails their boat back to the USa while they fly in and out.
Now we are waiting for the next weather window so start our return journey to Fernandina Beach. Looks like sometime from Thursday through Sunday and then some big winds are predicted. We’ll see. We’re not sure 
It still looks lovely!
I miss it.