We did it. Something many boats do not do all winter season. We escaped the clutches of George Town.
Some suggested we should stay until after the town’s Regatta week, others questioned if we should not wait until the weather settles more, but we just needed to get away from the crowds.
The winds were perfect. The usual trade winds from the East had been upset by the passing front and we had North West winds (15 knots) pushing us from behind all the way.
My humans were lazy, nothing new, and they just poled out the foreward sail to drift down wind out of the anchorage in Elizabeth Harbour. The NW winds did through up an bit of a roll at the eastern exit, but nothing I am not used to dealing with. Just shove yourself in a corner and hold on!
By the time we got to Hog Cay the outer reefs blocked all the waves and it was smooooooth sailing!
As you can see, there was a wee threat of a squall, but they all seemed to skirt around us and by afternoon we made it to Thompson Bay, Long Island.
We anchored off the lee ward beach just inside the harbor.
We decided not to join the ‘grouping’ of boats anchored in the NE corner of the bay and anchored on our own off the points beach in 2.2m of water. We were not alone long. The ‘Lemming effect’ kicked in and as boats entered the Bay from George Town they had to pass by us. ‘They must be anchored in a good spot’ and we quickly gained lots of neighbours.
So what is the place like?
Well the humans will not let me out on the town. Boring! They say we have to have an early night and get off early to make the sand bar crossing to the Ragged Islands.
I have heard that their are shops, good grocery stores and a few restaurants and bars. Some lady announced on the radio that there was a happy hour at a local pub between 5-7pm.
My boring humans only took me to the beach.
A bit of a long kayak from the boat, but at least it is some place for me to have a run about. It is a bit ‘mangrovey’ for the human ‘palate’, but I was happy with it.
Perhaps I can convince them to bring some shoes and we can check out the windward beach on the other side of the peninsula in the morning before we leave for the Ragged Islands.
3 thoughts on “Bahamas, Long Island, Thompson Bay – We escaped George Town”
Great photos! The new temporary camera was a bargain! Good luck with the sailing. It looks better away from the crowds.
I doubt we will be alone. The group of boats that sailed over to Long Island after us yesterday all appear to be heading to Water and Flamingo Cay, the first two northerly Ragged Islands, with us today.
As there is no wind today, I am sure a few ‘fair weather motorers’ will be leaving George Town for the Ragged Islands too. Shallow drafted boats will be able to cut the leg to Long Island out and go directly through Hog Cay Cut, catching us up in Water Cay.
So we may have left one big busy anchorage for one small busy anchorage?
At least the winds are predicted to remain light for a few days, so we should not have any one dragging anchor onto us.
We will not have any internet for a while, until we get to Duncan Town, the Ragged Island furthest south. Talk to you again then. Enjoy the remainder of your holiday mate!
Been looking on all too jealously matey.
Hope you have a great sail down to Cuba and that it proves to be even better when you are there.
We are still gutted we will not be joining you.
You all take good care,
S + S.