Good to Go!

Our creative plan to receive the custom manufactured bell-housing worked - more or less.  Shipped to Ft. Lauderdale, then flown to Staniel Cay on Watermakers Air, the part was stuck at Staniel Cay Yacht Club. With no one available on this island to pick it up by boat, we made arrangements with Flamingo Air to fly it to Little Farmer's, but the only flight with the correct flight plan was for Friday, four days later. At Terry's suggestion, we had it put on the mail boat when it stopped by Staniel Cay Thursday.  But, when the mail boat arrived here, the captain mistakenly included the part with another order bound for another island, and off went the bell housing to the Research Center on Lee Stocking Island.  But cruisers came to the rescue!  The sailing catamaran, Nike, departed the Research Center Friday morning with our bell-housing.  A few hours later, the boat was on the mooring by us and we had our part.

Then, the fun began for Larry.  Several days later, he had the new bell-housing in and everything back together.  It didn't always go smoothly. Had this happened in the States, we would probably have used a boat yard (and Tow Boat US to pull us in), but that's not really an option in the Bahamas.  No boat yards in this area and certainly no Tow Boat. 

When it was time to start the engine and check for alignment, the engine wouldn't start, but eventually that problem was solved by repairing a wiring problem.  Then the engine over-heated and now that problem is solved (well, it seems to be).

While awaiting the part, we had two anchors out as well as being on a mooring.  This mooring field is in a little leg of water close to a shallow sandbar on the south west corner of Great Guana Cay, across the bay from Little Farmer's Cay.  With fronts containing strong winds (35knots +) and unable to start our engine, we put two anchors out.  To get out of this arrangement, Larry brought the CQR in by hand; then at high tide, we untied from the mooring and brought in the big Bruce anchor with the windlass (touching bottom several times). That's when the engine started overheating, but before we turned off the engine we were able to move to a bigger mooring ball in deeper water. 

After those really windy fronts, the weather is now nice and boats are on the move (other boats!).  We've met new cruisers and caught up with past acquaintances. We were glad to have a nice visit with Jim and Nancy on Solitaire.  Ocean Cabin is a popular gathering place daily at 5:00 for cruisers, many of whom stay for the best lobster, cracked conch, and conch fritters in the Bahamas. The restaurant is so well known that boaters stop here going down the Exuma chain and again when going back up the Exuma chain.  Not only is the food delicious, but Terry and Ernestine are great hosts and island treasures.  After dinner, they lead the group in singing the Little Farmer's theme song.  Guests are made to feel special.  Last year, we were there for my birthday.  Lots of friends (some new), great food, birthday song and cake!  Thursday night, a couple was celebrating their 43th birthday.  Of course, Terry had found a Happy Anniversary song that everyone sang, or at least tried to.

Beautiful Little Farmer's is one of our favorite stops.  All the island residents are friendly and helpful.  Little Jeff and the other local fisherman are back at the docks everyday about one, cleaning their fish, conch, lobster and selling it to those of us looking forward to a very fresh dinner.  They are also always available to take people out to fish or dive. Today we purchased a grouper and a lobster to grill for dinner tonight.  All very delicious.

 Saturday morning - leaving for Georgetown, about 40 nautical miles.

Little Farmers Cay

One of the most picturesque islands and a truly Bahamian community, Little Farmers Cay is a special place.  Our idea was to stop here for a short time, continue south down the Exumas to the Research Center for a visit, and then sail on to George Town to regroup and plan our next passage.

We've been here a week, with no date of departure set. But our reason for staying so long is mechanical.  We are having a bell housing manufactured; it will then be sent to Watermakers Air in Ft. Lauderdale, and next flown to Staniel Cay, which is about fifteen miles north of here.   One of the island boaters from here will pick it up for us. Then comes removing the current bell-housing that has broken away from the motor mounts and installing the new one. 

As said, this is a special place and we are among friends.  During our nearly week-long stay here last March, we became well-acquainted with many of the local residents on Little Farmers as well as retired cruisers living on Big Farmers.  Terry Bains, a driving force behind the success of Little Farmers, knows our circumstances, and we appreciate him checking on us daily, plus he and all the residents are willing to lend a tool or give a helping hand as needed.

We've been here through two fronts, one with 35+ knots of wind.  Today is nice, so we'll be off the boat, getting in some hiking on 'paths' of rock and shrub (yes, low elevation, but higher than most islands) and beachcombing.  The N/NE wind is clocking, bringing stronger SE/SW winds tomorrow and then NE/NW 20+ with 30-35 gusts and with possible squalls Wednesday.  We'll probably stop by Terry and Earnestine's Ocean Cabin Restaurant (home of delicious lobster, conch fritters, cracked conch, etc.) today, since Tuesday and Wednesday will be boat chores and projects plus reading, while we're rockin' and rollin' on our mooring ball and anchor.

Terry gave us this noni fruit. The small tree with elliptical leaves, white tubular flowers, and yellow fruit goes well with the colorful houses, flowing palms, and blazing shrubs in this Polynisian-looking settlement (pics next time).  Following Terry's directions, I blended the fruit (the fruit has a rather an unpleasant odor) with a little water and strained it to remove the seeds.

I had read about the health benefits of noni and even once brought home a small bottle from the health food store.  It was colorless and odorless, obviously a very diluted second-cousin to this whitish pulp.  We added it to our breakfast smoothie, which is always a one-of-a-kind concoction made in our powerful Blendtec machine. This version included fresh cabbage, carrots, sprouts, apples, and frozen blueberries with a good dose of noni.  This morning, we added the pulp to cranberry juice.  Larry liked it better than I did.  We have one more fruit.  Any suggestions?