Lynyard Cay, Abacos

25 June 2014

Lynyard Cay is one of the barrier cays that keep the Atlantic Ocean out of the Sea of Abaco.  The North Bar channel enters directly north of it, with Little Harbour Cut to the south of it.  Of the two, North Bar is the preferred route in less than ideal conditions, when there is a heavy swell from the Atlantic.

I anchored off Lynyard Cay yesterday, about a quarter of the way up from the south, offshore just far enough to be safe(er) from the flies and bugs that are apt to venture out in this beautiful calm weather.  I'm anchored a little deeper than normal, in about 23' of water.  The grassy bottom here has numerous small sand spots, one of which I dropped the hook in.  Closer to shore is less grass, more sand.  Had the winds been higher, I probably would have tucked in the spot a little further north, where a channel parallels shore, and leads in behind the sandbar.  I have anchored in that spot before, which breaks any swell.

There are several sandy beaches, nice to walk on, and great to sit in chest deep water to cool off in the evenings!

Last night and tonight, with winds calm to 6 or 7 kts out of the southeast, there isn't any swell to be concerned with, and I am in a gorgeous location.  There are eight boats anchored to the SE of me, as there were last night, though all but two of the boats have changed.  There is one boat tucked in the northern pocket, a different boat than was there last night.

It was a gorgeous day here today.  This morning, I saw the trawler, Stormy, headed north from Little Harbour.  I called him on the VHF, and he came over, anchored nearby, and we visited for awhile, looking at each other's vessels, and trading sea stories.  He has a 10' AB inflatable that may be my inflatable replacement when that time comes.

When he departed, and I did a few more boat chores, Mercy and I went and walked the beach, and then sat in the water, cooling off.  Today was a scorcher.  A man came ashore in a small boat, with two vertebrates of a humpback whale, and he said there were another seventeen to go with those.

He also showed me where a path goes through to the Atlantic.

It was so good to see my friends on the S/V Full Deck, John and Barbara; and on the S/V Simpatico, Scott and Heather; pull into the anchorage here.  Last summer I had so much fun with them for about a month while our paths intermingled for awhile.  

We all took our small boats into Little Harbour, and visited for awhile, while drinking ice cold cokes at Pete's Pub. 

Little Harbour, Abacos to Royal Island, Eleuthera

We awoke to some passing thunderstorms and rain before daylight. It was nice to get a good freshwater rinse for our salty, salty boat.

I listened to the weather on the SSB, as I do almost every morning, and decided that today was the best day to jump across the 50 mile stretch to Eleuthera. We moved the compressor from the roof to the cockpit, and pulled the tanks out of the Whaler, to place in the cockpit as well. It proved we didn't need to move the compressor, as it was a gorgeous, smooth crossing, but, better safe than sorry!

The Atlantic Ocean was calm, with barely a gentle swell. We saw two ships in our crossing, and a couple of sportfishing boats.

We entered the reef at the cut between Little Egg and Egg Island. As I puttered on to our anchorage a couple of miles away, Allen took the Whaler to look at the wreck. The freighter had a galley fire in 1970, that quickly spread, until her fertilizer cargo combusted. The captain ran the ship on the reef, and evacuated the crew. The cargo smoldered for months, and I'm told it killed much of the surrounding reef.

For the next 22 years, she sat upright, looking like an anchored ship. Hurricane Andrew broke the ship into, and sunk her, making for an interesting shallow wreck, and we may dive it tomorrow.

I brought the MERCY into a great holding anchorage at Royal Island, where you could find protection from almost any direction. I've heard a couple of boats rode out Andrew here.

After supper we sat on the bow and watched lightning in distant clouds of a front line. The clouds never made it to us, so we never got rained on, and it was just far enough away to be enjoyable to watch!

Hopetown and Little Harbour

Thursday morning, we got underway for Marsh Harbour, to top off on fuel, gas, and water, so we can cross to Eleuthera in the morning. It looks like we have a weather window, now thru tomorrow night. If we don't go tomorrow, we'll probably be another week in Abacos with the weather; which would be fine, too.

Allen at the Hopetown Lighthouse

We left Marsh Harbour, and went to Hopetown to climb the lighthouse, and see a little of the town. We walked up to Vernon's for some fresh bread, but, they were closed for lunch from 1-2, and we were there shortly after 1. So, we didn't get any bread, but, we did climb the old lighthouse, and took in some spectacular views..... my what a pretty boat in anchored over there!

View from the Lighthouse at Hopetown

Then we went down to Little Harbour, where I sit writing this. This was one of the gorgeous spots I wanted Allen to see. He and Mercy are currently in the 19', puttering around looking at the cliffs and caves.

We are actually on a mooring tonight, and plan to go to Pete's Pub for coconut cracked conch for supper. Well, update they were out of conch.

The wind generally drops off during the night, and its only about 5 kts now! We're just inside the southern exit out the bight, and will probably leave in the morning for Eleuthera.

Great day diving Guana Cay

What a beautiful day! The wind has slacked down, the water is crystal clear, and we are anchored in Baker's Bay, with its beautiful sandy curved beach.

We filled tanks and went to the outside to dive some of the reef. The spot we chose was about 50' to the sand, with rock formations towering up to about 20'. There were sandy chutes between the rocks, where you could swim through the chutes, though a few narrowing to almost 3'.

We saw several large snapper, a few small nassau grouper, a gag, I think, and assorted smaller fish. I saw no lobster, and no lionfish. There was just a little (almost none) blue green algae, but much of the coral was dead.

After our dive, we looked at some of the reef that came up from 60' to breakers in just a few feet. Even with it calm, I wouldn't have put a boat there unattended for the length of a dive. But, it was pretty spectacular to look at, and we were cold! We decided that was the last dive without our shorties!

Later that afternoon, I got a second dive in, very similar conditions, but a few more chutes, and a few more fish!

We remained anchored in Baker's Bay on Wednesday night.

Lionfish hunting near Baker's Bay

We've noticed several posters for lionfish derby's at different areas. The entry is free, and there are great prizes. We hadn't seen too many lionfish until today.

We left Crab Cay, and ran thru Don't Rock Passage, back to Baker's Bay, and our glorious beach. Allen took the Whaler and ran our garbage in to New Plymoth, where we had seen a dumpster for cruisers! He left me when I got into the lee of Green Turtle, and was back before I got to the lee on the other side.

One of the roads in New Plymouth

Then we ran across Don't Rock Passage, which barely had enough water for us with an incoming .7 tide.

We anchored up in our "spot" in Baker's Bay and took the tanks to dive on a wreck we had discovered, passing over with the tug the other day. There was a work barge with a cabin, in a couple big pieces, in about 30' of water, coming up to about 19.' We saw 7 good sized lionfish. We decided we'd go get spears and come back.

The Island Girl had come in and anchored, and we went by to say hi to Greg, and his new crewmember, Phillip. They wanted to go lionfish hunting with us, so we set a date for 30 minutes, giving us time to go to the beach and warm up, and back to the MERCY for the spears.

After a romp on the beach, we picked up the spears, Phillip, and Greg, in that order, and went to the wreck. Jimmy C. I shot nine for you!

Then we went to the outside reef and looked around a little. We came back in and dropped the guys off, and while we were cooking dinner, Gail and Todd (from the Lubbers Cay anchorage) came by in the dinghy. It is really fun running into folks you've interacted with as your paths cross again in cruising areas.

I'm thankful for Baker's Bay free internet, and am so glad I can post these last few days events.

Manjack Cay

Monday morning, we eased to the north a little further, and anchored in a cover between Manjack Cay and Crab Cay.

We went into the beach on Crab Cay and were surprised to see a pig! He walked towards the boat to see if we were bringing food, I suppose, and Mercy-dog was convinced she'd found someone to play with. We walked up the beach a little ways, and saw another pig. The second, and larger, pig snorted and made a step or two towards Mercy, which put her into the lab tail-tuck race away in circles and hope you'll chase me game. She was really disappointed the pigs wouldn't play with her.

Then we took the Whaler and circled the entire Manjack Cay, from the inside out; stopping at beaches, and looking at likely snorkeling spots.

After lunch Linda snorkeled the whole length of the northern shore of Crab Cay, from the northern most sunken barge to the point. There are two barges sunk, and lots of undercuts in the rocky shore, with loads of bait fish, a few tropicals, and just a real interesting snorkel.

The sailboat, Fun, Fun, Fun, which was on a mooring immediately behind our anchored spot in White Sound, is now anchored just a little above us in this cove.

Baker's Bay to Green Turtle

Sunday morning we had our morning devotions and went to the Baker's Bay beach for a nice beach walk.

Then we proceeded out the cut, around Whale Cay, and back into Abaco Sound. We made our way north to Green Turtle Cay, and anchored in White Sound. We parked the Whaler at the Bluff Marina, and walked the road around to Green Turtle Club Marina and back. Most folks on Green Turtle use gasoline golf carts, although a couple of work trucks passed us by.

We returned to the Bluff House Marina for ice tea, and then out to the MERCY for a quiet afternoon reading.

About 1800, after supper, we took the Whaler into Black Sound, and then Settlement Harbour, where we docked, and walked around New Plymoth a little bit.

Church Bus!

Baker's Bay and diving off Guana north end

We woke up after a night in Fisher's Bay, and eased to the north just a couple of miles to Baker's Bay, with its long curving beach. We anchored and went ashore and watched a tractor pulling a seaweed removal and beach raking machine up and down the mile long beach. I hoped he wasn't going to yell at us for making crazy footprints all over his manicured beach! He just smiled and waved at us.

Then we loaded dive gear into the Whaler, and set out for the outside. We found a great spot to dive, using the bottom machine. There was sand at 45' with rocky formations up to about 20-ish. There were narrow cuts to swim thru, and great formations. The coral didn't look to good, and there weren't many tropicals, although we did see some fish, and a very large snapper, and one small nurse shark.

After our dive, we slid through the reef, and returned to the boat for lunch, and to fill the dive tanks.

Then we went out again, to the inshore reef on the Atlantic side, and did some snorkeling. We stopped by the Atlantic side beach on the way back. The surf was rolling in, and Allen did a little body surfing and wave hopping.

Then we returned to the boat and have free internet! Pork chops for supper.. Life is good! I bet we go to bed at dark tonight!

Fowl Cay and Anchored off Guana Cay

After we fueled and gassed the two boats, and Linda did deep breathing for ten minutes trying not to have a heart attack at the bill... $5.90/diesel, $6.45 gas + 5% to put it on a credit card!.. we began our adventure.

We went out North Man-o-War cut to see how the ocean swells were, then came back in and anchored behind Fowl Cay, and took the Whaler and went snorkeling. We found one spot that we need to come back to with tanks. The water is pretty clear.

We came back to the sound side and went to the beach. We snorkeled in the rain, but it dried out by the time we went to the beach.

Then we eased up and anchored off Fischers Bay of Guana Cay, enjoying out last night of internet service for a little while.

It looks like the weather is finally going to turn pretty, and I'm looking forward to that.

At sundown today we heard some folks blowing the traditional conch trumpet heralding the sundown. It was nice.

Allen joins up in Marsh Harbour

This morning I explored the harbor at Marsh Harbour. I can understand why this spot is a highlight for cruisers and sailboats alike.

I did general housekeeping chores as the day heated up. I took Mercy for a last minute break before leaving to pick up Allen. Just as she was stepping off the boat, she slipped, amd landed in the water between the dock and the boat. I called her to the stern and helped her onto the stern platform. Then I rinsed her off, and toweled her off, before deciding that I was wet enough I had to change clothes.

I met the nicest taxi driver, Jeff, who said hi to Ernie and Kaye and Jonny. Allen arrived safely, and I was thoroughly drilled, and our paperwork checked by Immigration before releasing a minor into the country.

We returned to the marina, walked the waterfront for a little while, and ate supper on the boat. Afterwards we broke out dive gear from the bowels of the boat and made some plans for morning.

Michelle and Molly the dog came over, bringing us some coconut fried cracked conch. We had discussed yesterday how we thought they'd prepared it at Pete's Pub, and Michelle's attempt was fantastic! What incentive to find some conch!

The Internet connection is very spotty tonight. Hope all our friends and family are doing well

Marsh Harbour

Today started out sort of overcast, like it was getting ready to rain. I did laundry, and walked up to the local hardware store and bought another fly swatter, since I decided we'd be up a creek if our only fly swatter broke. Now, there are three on the boat!

Then I walked over to Maxwell's, which is a big grocery store. It is probably the equivalent of a Winn Dixie sized store, with prices on groceries pretty high. I didn't buy anything, and started back to the boat. I made it most of the way before it started raining hard. I was glad I'd cbrought my raincoat.

In the late afternoon, it began storming. We didn't have yesterdays waterspouts, but lots of lightning, pouring rain, and 45+ knot wind, someone told me they'd seen 50. I'd had the Whaler tied up to the side of the Mercy, and the swells got so bad that I was worried about breaking the cowling on the piling immediately behind the Whaler. I moved it over into the adjacent empty slip.

Michelle, and her chocolate lab, Mollie, came over for a couple of hours during the worst of the lightning, since they live on a sailboat, and she was worried about her mast being a lightning rod. Mercy and Mollie crunched bones, and we visited. Since it was storming around the time I'd be walking to church, I holed up on the boat.

Allen flies in on Thursday, and I'm looking forward to seeing him.

Bight of Old Robinson and Little Harbour

Today we woke early, and went south through the cut by Lubber's Island. The water was so clear it was scary! In ten feet of water, it looked like we'd run aground, and we crossed a few six foot spots when we went through the Tilloo Bank cut.

We anchored off Wilson City, which is protected from the forecast SW winds later today. I never saw a building, much less a city.

While still at high tide, we ran the Whaler around to the Bight of Old Robinson, and found two blue holes. I quit counting at thirty turtles, but, I suspect I saw 85 or more.The Bight is very shallow, accessible only with enough tide for the depth ou need to float your boat.

Then we ran into Little Hwrbour. What a gorgeous place. I think I found where I want to live when I grow up.There are moorings available for $15/night.

After we left Little Harbour, we stopped on a beach on the SE side of Lynyard Key, Gotta keep the crew happy. She is so happy, that we're back at the boat now, and she is snoring away. At the slack low tide, I'm going to snorkel Sandy Cay, which I've heard good things about.

Went snorkelling, the water is very clear, there is just not a lot of fish, and there is a lot of dead coral.

I moved over outside Little Harbour to hook to the internet (it was important, I need Fred to buy a water pump, and have Allen bring it!) I can't believe what an internet-dependent jumkie I've become in the last few years. I am slowly trying to wean myself off....

But if I did, where would the blog be?

I went into Pete's Pub and ate their coconut cracked conch. Oh yeah, killer! Their coleslaw had walnuts in it, and was very good, too.

Now I'm outside the harbour, on the hook. I would have grabbed a mooring earlier, but the tide was borderline on getting in, and Pete's quit serving food at five (on Mondays only) So, I dropped the hook, ran in with the skiff, and ate a grand early supper.

I don't know if I'll be in wi-fi access tomorrow, but, if not, I'll be in Marsh Harbour on Wednesday for laundry and parts run, and change the oil on the main. Thursday I'll pick up Allen.

Hopetown and things you would never quite expect

This morning early, while the tide was high, Mercy and I explored a bit. Then I returned to the boat to prepare to go to church.

It took me longer to dress this morning, trying to figure what skirt I could wear in the Whaler. Then I ran the couple of miles into town. I tied up at a public dock and went to church.

When I walked in, a little before 11, there was a Sunday school class in progress. The class was being taught in Creole. All of the men were on one side of the church, and all of the women were on the other. I went in and sat down and waited for church to start. No one told me that the service was in Creole! They did sing a couple of songs in English, and I believe now I can sing Glory, Glory, Hallelujah in Creole. About 1215, with no sign of the sermon coming, I snuck out the back.

In the afternoon, Mercy and I walked the beach, and met a few people. We returned to the boat, and I kept trying to figure where I could move to a more protected spot. I think the wind is dying now however, and I really like this spot!

Hopetown and Tahiti Beach

It glassed off slick calm last night and the moon is brightening About 0300 we had another ridge of thunderstorms pass through with high winds (42 kts) and blowing rain. I'm getting much faster securing skylights, windows, doors, and portholes. There are nineteen altogether, but the five rear facing are usually safe. Then, following the adrenaline surge of racing to keep the boat dry, I was wide awake to enjoy watching the storm as it passed.

I am extremely pleased with this plow anchor and chain rode setup on this boat. I thought I would be using the Fortress more in the sand: but with the chain, I can use the windlass, and with the line and chain rode on the Fortress, it involves picking up by hand. I think I've made two 360's since being anchored here, including winds and chop from every direction. It is so great to know that the harder you pull, your anchor just buries itself a little deeper.

I asked two of the closest boats if they wanted to ride in Hopetown. Gail, from a neighboring sailboat, rode in with me. I wanted to go into Hopetown to look for the church Ernie and Kaye pastored. I asked someone if they knew where it was, and they said, "Yes, that's where I go." She told me when the morning service was, and I told her that I would see her in the morning. I was less than a block from the church when I asked!

I enjoyed my walk around town. But, I did not go to the lighthouse. I guess I'll wait for Allen to do that.



The canon is by someone's dock up the creek.  I wish I had one at my house!

This afternoon, I went to Tahiti Beach, a favorite with locals and visitors alike. It is a gorgeous sandy beach only exposed at low tide Mercy is feeling much better! She raced up and down the beach bounding joyfully. After she made a deposit, I had her dig a hole about 2 feet deep. Then I put the deposit in the hole and covered the hole back over It is funny how many people must've seen that, because I had people asking me all afternoon how to train a dog to dig a hole. It is part of my "leave no trace" policy. I met some great people on the beach! Mercy met a nice dog too.

Then we returned to the boat while it rained and blew. The wind is shifting now and blowing pretty strong, but the sun is out. This is such a nice anchorage.

Hopetown and Friends

In the morning we went exploring by dinghy. We went in the north channel at Man-o-War Cay and checked out this beautiful place We went as far south as there was water, then came back and exited the south channel to get a waypoint and a photo, and then puttered back through the inside, and back out where we'd gone in. What a cool place! The sign says established 1778.

After we went back to the boat, we cruised south, and anchored off the south end of Hopetown. We took the Whaler to Tilloo Cay in search of our friends, Bob and Sandy, and their two chocolate labs, Trace and Sequel.

Now Tilloo is an island almost four miles long, and Tilloo is all the address I had. As I started slowly going to the south, I saw a couple, and asked them if they were from the island. they said they were not, but just renting, as were the couple next door, the guy's name was Bob, and they have two dogs...

I asked if they were chocolate labs, and he said they were,and that is how I found where Bob and Sandy were staying! Armed with the information of what kind of boat they had left in, we slowly began scanning sandy beaches for two people with two dogs.

OK, it wasn't quite that easy, we didn't see them, and returned to the Mercy boat and wrote them a note. When we went to deliver it, they were back! This means they had passed the Mercy twice, and we had passed each other at least once. What fun it is seeing friends from home.

A gigantic rain storm blew in, and I returned to the boat in a torrential rain. I stripped down to a swimsuit and thoroughly scrubbed the boat down. Then I caught water and topped off the water tanks, and the sun showers. Then, as it was still raining for the next couple of hours, I ran the generator, running the air conditioner to dry the boat out a little, and topping off the battery charge. I also cooked sweet potatoes, garlic, and onions, along with some sausage. Yummy.

The rain quit, and Bob and Sandy came by and invited me to dinner. Maybe we can do it tomorrow. They stayed and we visited while it rained a little more, and then they went back to their really cool cottage on Tilloo, and Mercy and I stayed in our really cool boat near Hopetown! What fun to have friends from home, here, sharing some memories. Allen, they said they are sorry they are going to miss you!

Tomorrow, I hope to explore Hopetown, and find the church Ernie and Kaye pastored.

My wi-fi amplifier is picking up a signal, so I'll sent this message on, and hopefully can add photos to the last few days.

Green Turtle to Man-of-War Cay

Tuesday night we anchored in White Sound, at Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas on Tuesday night. I took the Whaler into the dock at the Jolly Roger at the Bluffhouse, but, just as I arrived, it began to rain, so I went back to the boat to close her up. I never did go ashore there. It stormed during the night, but this is a great anchorage, excellent protection, and great holding.

In the morning, we took the Whaler to the long, secluded beach on the south end, the tide was low, and the sand was magnificent! We ran and played, and looked at shells in the water, and Mercy dug a bunch of holes. Then we went out to the reef and explored for over an hour, looking for good places to snorkel that weren't too effected by the ocean swell. There are a lot of places 15-25 feet that come within a few feet of the surface.

We ran back through by Pelican Cay and investigated Black Sound, which also appeared to be a great anchorage. I had over 5 feet at the entrance channel at low tide, with the harbor a little deeper.

Then we went back and picked up the MERCY and brought her to anchor off New Plymouth, so I could go into Laura's Kitchen for cracked conch. Small boats can dock free at the cement pier. I took the Whaler in, found out Laura's was closed, and asked someone local where to get good cracked conch. I got my order to go, since it was cooler in the breeze than in the restaurant. It was way too hot to eat greasy food, and that was the greasiest conch I've ever had. It was not good.

We got underway, headed for Tellio Cay where Bob and Sandy are staying through the week-end. I slowed by Bakers Bay to send yesterday's blog, and then continued down to Fishers Bay, where I anchored and explored with the Whaler into the Great Guana Cay Harbor.

At some point, I don't know when or how, Mercy hurt her back legs/hips and it is painful for her to step up. Guess we've been playing too hard. I gave her a coated aspirin.

Then we got underway again, and anchored for the night off Man-O-War Cay.

Baker's Bay, Guana Cay to White Sound, Green Turtle Cay

Today the wind was blowing SE thru S at 20-ish. the forecast called for it to go west and die out, which it is just starting to die, but not swing at 2100. My sweet little anchorage in Baker's Bay got a little choppy.

Mercy-dog and I went to the beach for a great frolick, then over to spoil island to look around. Then we went around to the outside, and it was so nice we went back for the trawler.

We moved to the outside and anchored, then I went exploring and snorkeling on a reef near there.

Thls afternoon the wind still had not dropped, and it was rough in Baker's Bay! So we went back on the outside, around Whale Cay, and through Abaco Sound up to Green Turtle. We are anchored in White Sound for the evening.

Berry's to the Abacos

Blog May 28

I departed the Berry's on the 25th, and ran up the outside until I could take a straight shot for the Hole in the Wall, on the southern tip of Abacos. There was enough of an ocean swell running to keep me offshore, though this is definitely a spot I want to come back to in calmer weather.

Looking through the huge hole in the rock is fascinating from offshore, and no doubt more spectacular close up!

*See note below

I intended to go into Little Harbour about sunset, but the sun was in my eyes, and there were breakers all the way across the reef. I decided the first time in would be at another time, and ran instead up to North Bar.

I entered North Bar and anchored for Friday night off Lynard Key, for a gorgeous evening in calm water.

In the morning, we took the 19 ashore at the nearby beach, and swam and Mercy raced up and down the beach enjoying the chance to run.

I ran past the anchored Mercy, and then something told me to go close the doors. I steppped onto the boat and as I did, a bird flew in the other door. It was pretty exciting for a minute while the bird was thumping off the windows, and feathers were flying. I heard a thump, and the bird disappeared. I spent the next minute trying to figure out where the bird had gone, and the following minute to figure out how to get him out of the space between the dash and the console. I carefully picked up the dazed bird, and set him on the roof in the shade. He sat there for about five minutes before he flew off. BTW, I closed the doors!

Then we headed, with the Whaler, to the southwest looking for blue holes, unsucessfully. I did talk to a native, however, who gave me better directions to the seven holes, and I'm waiting for Allen to help me go find them.

About noon I returned to the boat, ate lunch, and got underway up the inside of Abaco Sound. I came up the western side of the sound, and saw a minimum of 8'

I went into Harborview Marina about 1530, where Troy Cornea jumped aboard and helped me tie up. Troy's parents pastored in Marsh Harbour, and ran the Assemblies of God youth camp in Abacos for many years. I saw Bob and Phyllis, and enjoyed visiting with them.

Saturday and Sunday I stayed at the dock in Marsh Harbour, and enjoyed running the air conditioner! It is always nice to wash the boat down, too! I met so many great folks on boats at the marina, including one couple from Summerland Key! that it is hard to leave such a nice place.

The reason I came into Marsh Harbor was to meet Pastor Dieon Gibson and his wife Annette at First Assembly. I attended services there on Sunday morning, and had the opportunity to preach there on Sunday night. What a great service we had. I'm looking forward to visiting some more churches here in Abacos.

A couple of sailboats that had been headed into Exumas that didn't get as far south as they'd anticipated gave me bags of coloring books and toys to give to some kids.  I've brought stuff for kids for years, and am glad some other folks are doing that as well.  What great fun it is so share with others!

Monday I cruised north about ten miles and am anchored off Guana Cay, in a nice cove with two sailboats, both catamarans.  I found a free wi-fi access, bt it is slow enough I can't post photos.  Come back to this post later, and there will be photos!

*It has been reported the Hurricane Sandy took the Hole in the Wall down.  The landmark has been there for as long as any living could remember, and was felled by storm surge.