Feb 27- Mar 1, 2023 Lee Stocking to Big Farmers Cay

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No wind. There's a breeze, perhaps, but not anything for sailing any distance. And it's turned uncomfortably hot (sorry folks at home who are watching it snow!). In these conditions we are inspired to find new scenery. We head out across the bank, following a similar path to the previous time we departed Lee Stocking Island;  using a pass in the Brigantine Islands to get onto the broad shoal Exuma Bank and then heading in a generally northern direction, careful to avoid rocks and shallow areas.  The wind is very light but we get the big asymmetric spinnaker flying, which moves us along at a boat speed of 3-5 kts.  After several days of sitting still it feels good to just be moving. 





We pass West Barracuda Rock

We pass East Barracuda Rock


We started this sail not sure of our destination.  We want to move north to set up possibilities for later in the week.  After some discussion we choose Big Farmers Cay, which turns out to be another gem anchorage. 

 There's a very nice cave
Several beaches
And a mangrove swamp along a creek that is wet enough at high tide to take the dinghy in about 100 yards.  Hopping out & walking along the sandy shoal a few small turtles greet us.

Sam has discovered turtles. She's on the lookout for them on our 3x day trips to shore to run on the beach, and has jumped off the bow of the dinghy in 8 ft deep water to swim after them. Luckily she's a very strong swimmer, and does eventually turn around & swim back. 


Another discovery is that if you dig around one of these holes on the beach a crab comes running out and you can herd it until it a) runs into the water  or b) nips your face with a claw (rude!)

Then she picked up a scent trail in the sand and was all excited about following it. That's when I noticed the tracks of hooves on the beach. Turns out there are goats living on the island, and it probably explains the 3 ft high tunnels in the vegetation I had noticed. Might also explain the weekly happy hour BBQ at the nearby restaurant....

We noticed a type of tree with fruit hanging on it's branches at several islands. Brent procured a sample to look up what it was.  It's an Argan tree, used to make argan oil.



It is a constant campaign to keep our small space tidy.  Today we had a cleaning day. Boat life, swimming, & walking beaches makes a good deal of salty laundry. A wet dog who occasionally finds a dead fish & rolls in it ups the ante (and gets a thorough bath.)  What fun.


We've been watching the brilliant stars at night, so bright without the glare of any artificial lights to mask them.  We've been watching Venus and Jupiter draw closer to conjunction each night.  Never did see the green comet, though.




Comments

Lynn and Ed said…
Secluded beaches and turquoise water - nice way to spend the winter.
March 5, 2023 at 1:11 PM
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