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.

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.