TRAVELS WITH STEVEN

1/26/2013  TO 1/31/2012 

FROM GEORGETOWN TO LEE STOCKING, COMPASS, STANIEL CAY AND BIG MAJORS

With a little cooperation from the weather (note the key word here is little) Algonquin and Quest decided to make an escape from the George Town area before our guests arrived.  Spending another day here might very well keep us here for the duration of the visit.  So off we went, put out into the big waters.  I’ve seen much worse but some things were flying.  We all felt that it was much better for the four of us seasoned travelers to make the jaunt today rather than subject our guests to the possibility of a grueling trip or stuck

At Adderley Cut we skipped back in and grabbed mooring balls in the calmer waters for our nights’ stay and hosted an evening cocktail party with the other M/V and two S/Vs moored in the cove.  It was a fun evening of listening to their interesting stories and telling a few of our own.  On Sunday morning Dan and I made a trial run in the tender to Barraterre to chart the route for Dan’s return trip to fetch Steven to Quest and Stacy to Algonquin.  When the time came for the “ –con taxi” to make its run we knew that foul weather gear and waterproof trash bags were essential. 

Other than Steven being harassed by the Custom’s officials for bringing in my new “Christmas present” camera and being slapped with a $260.00 duty fee, everything went fine.  Thankfully Stacy, Garth and Kathy’s friend, had money because Steven was about $200.00 shy.  Dan retrieved them after Clifford, our prearranged taxi driver, got them from GGT to Barraterre.  By the time they arrived at Quest they were slightly more than damp but ready for cocktails and dinner.

Monday found us raring to set off for ports north.  44 NM later we arrived at our beloved Compass Cay and were greeted with the customary “Welcome Home”.  Unlike our time here on New Year’s Eve, we found the marina back to its normal, peaceful atmosphere.  M/V My Reward, the boat we cross paths most frequently, and M/V Campaign Char were docked and we scrounged to find information about the new boat.  It appears that Campaign Char was Tiger Woods’ first Privacy, not the well-known second Privacy that is involved with the divorce litigation.

As usual, we scoured the beach’s tidal trash and I took a little dip in the crystal waters.  Watching the sharks hovering at the feeding dock during high tide is always fascinating but just glancing over the side of the boat will often bring some spectacular sights.

Steven, rising super early, took the new Leica across the island to catch the sun’s awakening for the new day.  He captured some mighty fine shots.

SUNRISE FROM COMPASS CAY

STEVEN AND DAN WETTING THEIR WHISTLE AT SCYC

On Tuesday we left Compass Cay for Staniel Cay Marina, just 10 NM back south, and spent our first night at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club Marina.  Even though we have visited many times in the dingy or tender, we have never stayed at the marina before.  There is always something going on here with both big and small boats docked, visiting tenders from the nearby anchorages zipping in and tour boats stopping to give their patrons a chance to quench their thirst and have a tasty lunch.

PENNANTS LINE THE SCYC CEILING

SUNSET FROM SCYC

Wednesday found Quest ready to anchor at Big Majors while Algonquin was quite satisfied to stay put another night.  We made the big 3 NM move after lunch at the club and dropped anchor in front of Pirate Beach.  The cruisers’ inspired by the M/V Pirate, have stocked this lovely beach with picnic tables, chairs, shade, a BBQ and games.  What a treat for all of us!

Thursday morning we took Steven on a tender cruise to see the development at Over Yonder Cay.  The Bosarge Family has undertaken to create an island resort that is entirely powered by renewable energy with a 415KW solar field plus a 300 KW wind turbine system.  Pretty impressive!

We also explored around the lovely Hattie Cay, Joe Cay and Little Pipe Cay before returning to Quest and pulling up anchor at Big Majors and heading south to Little Farmer’s Cay for 27^th annual Five F Festival and Regatta.  The Five F stands for First Friday in February Festival at Little Farmers Cay.

LITTLE PIPE CAY OWNED BY MICHAEL DINGMAN AND FOR SALE AT $75 MILLION