Exumas, Northbound, part 2

Pipe Creek to Shroud Cay

South winds at 12 – 15 knots greeted us this morning. This combined with the surge as high tide neared; made for a bouncy anchorage. Originally, it was our intent to spend the day exploring by dinghy, but wind and sea conditions combined with the swift current that runs through Pipe Creek meant no swimming off the back of the boat, so we elected to head out to the calm of Warderick Wells north mooring field. Unfortunately, as a result of weather, the north moorings were all occupied so we continued on to Shroud Cay, one of our favourite cays.
Whatever happened to the prevailing easterlies that were to provide smooth sailing for our return journey?




Shroud Cay
Upon arrival in Shroud Cay, we found the mooring field deserted as a result of sea conditions, which would have made for an uncomfortable stay. We chose to move slightly north, hiding behind the next point . Although still choppy, swinging on the anchor was much better alternative.
Once settled, we headed to the beach, a final BBQ was the order of the afternoon.

On the beach we encountered one lonely gull, who was not one bit shy, but was well mannered and did not bother us to be fed. After quite some time, a couple more arrived and decided to take up residence aboard our dinghy.......and much to Alan's dismay, you know what that meant......sh..t!

The following morning brought a stormy start to the day with black thunder heads looming all around us, but the wind has shifted to the East, making the anchorage more comfortable.



Stormy morning

 The storms dissipated about mid morning with no rain and no free boat wash for us, so Susann got out the hose and washed the salt off boat.
The morning was spent tracing our fresh water leak, then cutting a hole in the fiberglass shower cabinet to replace the cracked and crumbling water line.....no easy button on this boat!
Sadly, today is Lamb Chop’s last day with us, before heading back to Marathon, where they will leave the boat for the summer, before heading home to Fenlon Falls, Canada.

We spent a last afternoon on our own private beach, and later enjoyed a last supper aboard Lamb Chop.
Susann and Jan's scouring for beach tresures found some live baby conchs, lots of live sand dollars, which we returned to their natural environment, and finally, lots of uninhabited (dead) sand dollars, which they carefully stowed to take home.

 Tim grilled some superb Alaskan halibut (gift from friends in Tortola)which was delicious, and  none of us needed any coaxing for fudge brownies and ice cream for dessert. To quote Jan, “yummmm”.

Adios Amigos, farewell Lamb Chop

After six months of travelling as buddy boats, it feels strange, and sad to watch as Lamb Chop departs Shroud Cay in the Exumas bound for Chub Cay and then on to Marathon, Florida.

Farewell Lamb Chop

 

Buddy boats

Kaos is heading East out into Exumas Sound, the deep blue younder, for the six hour run to Rock Sound Harbour, Eleuthera. Travelling conditions today are good, light Easterly wind with one foot chop on the nose, which makes for a smooth ride.