1/24/18

We left Georgetown, Exumas sailing east with Scheherazade and Bluejacket right behind through squall after squall.  Not a lot of wind but tons of rain!  That has been the theme this winter so far – lots of rain!  By the time we arrived in Thompson Bay on Long Island the skies had cleared some. 

The next morning the whole gang headed to the beach and north up the road to electric pole 108 where we turned onto the trail to the beach.  A whole day spent walking and looking through the sea grass on the beach.  Treasures – sea beans.  Sea beans are seed pods that have traveled the ocean currents from as far away as Africa landing on the beach here.  With hours and hours of sanding the beans become highly polished.  No luck finding sea glass.  During our picnic lunch the rain started falling again.  By the time we made it back down the road to our dinghies we were all thoroughly soaked!

Our next destination would be south to the Jumentos or Ragged Islands where there are no supplies so off we went to Hillside Grocery here near Thompson Bay.  We realized after picking up a few things that every item was the same price – about $7.  A bag of potatoes…$7.  4 apples…..$7.  A bag of oranges….$7.

The first day traveling from Thompson Bay we sailed with light winds trolling the fishing lines along behind.  Jerry caught one bonito ; enough for dinner and lunch the next day.  An overnight stop at Flamingo Cay and then on the next day for our destination: Southside Bay at Ragged Island.  The farthest south we’ll be going. 

The only settlement here in the Jumentos is called Duncantown, population about 60 I think, which suffered a direct hit from the hurricanes this fall.  They had a school, government building, police station and a number of houses all with extensive damage.   Most residents were evacuated to Nassau where many are living until they can come up with money and supplies to rebuild and repair.  The little they had here at Duncantown was destroyed.  The electric poles have been replaced with new as the old were twisted and knocked down in the wind.  17 people stayed on the island and survived during the hurricane.  They have a deep faith in God. 

Our friend Maxine who has had a small store at Duncantown for years happened to be in town assessing the damage and stocking supplies for residents and boaters. Maxine came down to the anchorage and we brought over bags and boxes of tools, clothing and household supplies gathered from boaters back in Georgetown.  We hopped into the back of her pickup truck and took a tour of the length of Ragged Island, about 3 miles, witnessing the damage and repairs some have begun.  We asked how others could help out the Duncantown community.  For anyone interested you can donate to a Go Fund me account.

https://www.gofundme.com/raggedisland

The bank receiving these donations: Scotiabank, Bay Street East, Nassau, Bahamas.  Account number 50385/3334292

While at Southside we went on more all day beach hikes that included a picnic along the way.  It’s been windy and cloudy.  The solar panels haven’t had a chance to top up our batteries.

When the wind forecast called for clocking winds to south of east we hauled anchor and had a brisk sail to Hog Cay.  Southside has a lot of motion with waves coming around the end of the bay with southerly wind.  We were able to sail close hauled 4 or 5 miles up to Hog Cay going 8 knots at times in the 25 knots of wind!  All this sailing watching the depth meter at all times – don’t want to run aground going that fast. 

At Hog Cay the sun finally came out!  More beach walking and we even went snorkeling.  Ron, Jerry L, and Jerry S. filled every bucket.  No fish. Just lobsters.  We did see a lot of fish but none willing to come home with us.

There are other boats here at Hog Cay and even a pavilion on the beach that survived the hurricane.  It is right behind a rocky cliff so it had protection from the strongest NE winds.  The ocean side of Hog Cay facing east tells the story of the hurricanes.  I’m sure there were 50 ft. waves crashing onto the shore.  Lots of beach erosion and the sand blown inland.  Water and wind – 2 powerful forces.

We are preparing for high winds this weekend.  35 knots sustained with gust to 50 expected from the NE and E.   Unusually rainy and windy this winter in the Bahamas. We’ll be hunkered down reading books and playing cards!  

Bluejacket sailing to Thompson Bay, Long Island.

Scheherazade sailing to Thompson Bay in the rain.

Anchorage at Southside, Ragged Island

Duncantown government building.

Duncantown ruins of a home.

Duncantown, waiting for supplies to rebuild.

Many houses at Duncantown, such as this, are about 150 years old.

Goats on Little Ragged Island.

Erosion at the beach on Hog Cay.

Jerry and Ron play softball with a ball they found on the beach.

Sea beans, sea glass, shells, driftwood and glass fish float from the beach.  We found a friend for Bob too - a little Mickey Mouse.

Ron, Jerry and Jerry after snorkeling at Hog Cay.

This plane, which has been on Hog Cay for years, was hidden with trees last time we were here.

The hurricanes took the trees and now the plane is easy to see from the anchorage.

All that is left at the runway on Ragged Island.  The Welcome to Ragged Island is still here.  The building that was attached to the deck is gone.