Monday, June 4, 2007

Believe it or not!! The weather has finally made the change and we are able to begin our voyage back to the Abacos. We settle our mooring bill with “Cinnabar” at the Pinder’s Supermarket dinghy dock and head out to Royal Island Harbor for an early morning departure.

Bradley Newbold, aka “Cinnabar” is a pillar of the Spanish Wells community. He was one of the first boat pilots in the area to lead boats through the treacherous Devil’s Backbone which runs the eastern shoreline between Spanish Wells and Harbour Island. At age 79 he is still in demand and pilots boats ranging in size from 30 - 165 feet.

We were welcomed into Spanish Wells by Bradley and his wife, Pat. We enjoyed the car tours, assistance, their stories and their family. The opened their home to us as if we were part of the family. We will miss them but back to Abaco we go.

Bradley and Pat Newbold

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Departed Royal Island at 6:15 am

Crossing was uneventful except for rain showers. Gypsy Palace accompanied us. Anchored at Lynard Cay for the night. Exhausted but glad to be home in Abaco. (trip 57.3 nm)

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Sailed into Marsh Harbour about 1 pm. (trip 20.2 nm)

Total Eleuthera/Exumas trip - 460.2 nm or 529.2 statute miles

Thursday, June 7 - June 10, 2007

After catching up with all our friends, enjoying BBQ rib night at the JIB Room we become ready to prepare and chart our return course to the US. We shared info about our trip to Exumas with friends on Island Dream, Pat and Darnell and they shared info regarding places in Florida where they stayed during their recent return.