Last Days of the Trip

Monday February 23, 2009
Captain Barr and his wife Trish came by for a cup of tea in the morning. The weather for the week is going to be winds of 20 knots and so we decided to join them on a tour of Man-of War and Hope Town
Their boat the Road to the Isles is a 65 foot Schooner that draws 6 -7 feet so they anchor off most places at the outside of the harbour. Something we have never been confident to do. I so enjoyed their mentoring and confidence boosting, they have provided us with.
In the afternoon we did our errands in town and got ship shape to take off early in the morning. I decided to prepare a big patch of chili and have it ready for the next couple of days.
Tuesday February 24, 2009
Up and tripping over each other in a hurray to make provisions to be ready to leave on scheduled time with the Barr family. We were anxious to raise our anchor and be ready when it was time to go. No realizing they had two anchors down we were up and free and half way across the Sea of Abaco before we could see them coming. We got to the mouth of the Harbour at Man-of War and there was a light chop and about 20 knots of wind. The water is deep up to the shore so here we were doing something we never do by ourselves. ;)
After we had set the anchor (not really confidently) the Barrs arrived and set their hook and the Captain said it was a good hold. We are still skeptical but love the confidence that years of experience produces. They invited us aboard to have a coffee while we waited to make sure if the anchor was going to hold. True to his word the anchor held so we decided to go into town and check out the village again. It was fun to show someone a place we had been and so we hit all the high lights. We went out for lunch at the Dock and Dine and headed down the dock to look for the masts. Sure enough they were at the end of the harbour. The North east wind was continuing to increase to 25 knots so when we arrived at Hopetown it was rougher than at Man-of War so but we dropped the anchor and radioed to the Barrs. They were experiencing some discomfort but their boat (full keel) will hunker down and ride into the wind. Our boat has a fin keel and likes to dance around in the waves. Dick decided we would move into the harbour and take a mooring. I tried to hail a Marina but they leave at 4:00 pm. A fellow boater told us the one with the bottle was available. Inside the harbour it was much calmer but the wind held all night. Fortunately for the Barrs it rounded to the east and they were able to have some shelter from the end of the island. I had invited the Barrs to have Chili with us but that will have to wait until tomorrow.
Wednesday February 25, 2009
Monumental Day for Us
Dick and I got up in the morning and decided to move back out to the anchorage out side the harbour and drop anchor by the Barrs. We have become more accomplished at the art of anchoring and are getting a lot better at doing it in a variety of conditions. We grabbed the camera and headed into Hope Town to take some photos. Hope Town is our last destination and from here on in we will be heading back HOME. The Barrs invited us aboard to have the Chili and we toasted the end of the trip with them. What a wonderful moment to go so far and finish it in the fellowship of people you have come to love and respect. After lunch they will continue on to Cuba and we will return to Marsh Harbour for the night and then make our way up toward the Whale for there appears to be a window coming on Saturday. My joy is intense deep and quiet. Thank you Lord for this wonderful moment in time.
We were happy to return to Marsh Harbour as the confidence of having been there and then done it so reduces the stress of coming into a new place. The trip home will offer this many more times and the daylight hours will increase so now we are looking forward to getting in the that Gulf Stream and riding it North east to Fort Pierce. (Weather permitting)