1/14/20

Happy New Year!

While Karen was spending the holidays in NY and Maine Jerry was in the Exumas in the Bahamas.  He had lots of wind and lots of rain at the end of December.  The nice thing about Georgetown is no matter the wind direction you can cross the harbor to one side or the other to find protection to anchor.  There's also a grocery store for "fresh" produce and water available at the dinghy dock.  He actually used the camera a few times while I was gone to document important events......(and had a written caption prepared upon my return)

Persephone's crew was unprepared for Captain Jerry's wild sail across the harbor in 30 knots of wind and boisterous seas.  Only the princess stands fast.

 Back in NY....

As always, Brian and Deb took good care of me when I arrived in Syracuse!

Maine - Owen’s 16^th birthday – 12/25/19 – Susan made Mom’s cream cheese fudge cake recipe by request.                Clockwise from left: Me, Sydney, Kira, Susan, Owen, Tom, Dad, Mom.  

 

Maine - Our last early morning puzzle building session with our coffee and tea.  And maybe a piece of Mom’s Finnish Pulla (sweet bread with cardamom). 

Back in the Bahamas......After a week at anchor in Georgetown Jerry decided on a lively sail north to the Black Point/Staniel Cay area where Jerry and Donna were anchored on Bluejacket.

Bluejacket and Persephone anchored near Black Point.  Taken from the top of our friend's place appropriately known as the Sandcastle.  I'm sure you've seen pictures each year as we stop to visit Doug and Jean.

A view of Persephone at anchor looking out the glass doors of the Sandcastle.

One more shot of Persephone from the top of the Sandcastle.

My flight arrived a few minutes early at Georgetown, the taxi was waiting and I hopped in and held on tight for the 15 min. ride to Exuma Market to meet Jerry.  Jerry was just tying up at the dinghy when I walked down the dock.  In 15 minutes we were aboard Persephone, had the dinghy and outboard hauled on deck, the sails up and we were on our way out of the harbor.  The winds were light but would be building within 24 hours and would stay 25-30 knots for the next two weeks!  We high-tailed down to Hog Cay in the Jumentos on an overnight sail.  I think this happens whenever I fly back to Persephone - off the plane and off we go!
It was a nice sail and the winds picked up with a squall, as predicted, to rinse off the boat just as we approached the Hog Cay anchorage at 7 am the following morning.  8 boats here including Jerry and Donna on Bluejacket.
We've been here a week now enjoying the company of the other cruisers every day around sunset sitting under the Hog Cay Yacht Club thatch roofed shelter at the beach gazing out at the sunset and anchorage. 

I arrived with a cold so I’ve been wearing a face mask, been banned from the galley, and have almost finished off my bottle of hand sanitizer.  Jerry works forever making all the meals and cleaning up after.  Fresh bread, homemade pizza, scalloped potatoes and ham, omelettes!  We’ve snorkeled a little here within 100 yards of the boat – just long enough for Jerry to bring back and cook up snapper for lunch.

Snapper with rice and carrots prepared by Chef Jerry.

The winds continue to blow and squalls pass but we’re in a fairly well protected anchorage here with spectacular views, warm air, good friends, and some sunshine.  The only inhabitants of Hog Cay are goats and lizards; the nearest grocery store and water 100 miles back north in Georgetown.  Sure is peaceful!  We look forward to staying here for a number of weeks.  And even though we’re out in the middle of nowhere we have wifi and we look forward to hearing from you!

Karen and Jerry