WE'VE GONE TO THE PIGS!

Sorry it has been so long between posts.  This having fun stuff kind of gets in the way!

From Warderick Wells we had a nice long sail down to Black Point.  Forecast was for the winds to blow hard for several days.  We wanted to get somewhere where we could go to shore and be able to get off the boat as we expected to stay there for at least 3 days until wind laid down a bit.  This is one of the few settlements on these islands.  

Was sure nice to have out Catalina family there with us!  Once again, all 4 boats were at the same anchorage.  Day 1 brought shore leave and lunch at a sports bar called Scorpios! Yes, we actually watched a live television for the 1st time since Bimini.  And we got a cheeseburger and fries which was a real treat.  

The following day the crews of Merlin and White Wings arranged for a dinner for the 8 of us at Lorraine's Cafe.  Had cracked conch and snapper which was good.  Finally got a picture of the whole gang!

The following day brought another trip to town.  I had brought some school supplies for the children which we dropped off at the school and then on to a boater's happy hour at Scorpio's.  Met some very interesting folks thre including Maura, the Explorer.  If you live in or near Tampa you may remember her as a morning shock jock on one of the radio stations.  

The winds were still up but we had had enough of Black Point so we pulled up anchor and headed down towards White Point.  Did some exploring by dinghy. There were huge coral shelfs that uncovered as the tide went down.  Pretty neat to see!

Ended up having a rough anchorage as the winds turned more South.  The next morning we got up and left while our coffee and tea were still brewing.  We have decided that it is time for us to turn around and start to head back in the direction we came from.  We passed by quite a few islands we want to stop at one the way back.  So this is our southern most point for this trip.  We could have continued on to Georgetown but we really would rather embrace the smaller islands.  

So on to Big Majors Spot!  After a quick sail to the north, we pulled in at 10:30 in the morning so we had the whole day to enjoy.  Several boats were leaving and we pulled right up in fron tof the pig beach.  Yes, real pigs and they swim! We had heard all about this and I was excited to check them out.  There were also roosters and a token goat.  

It was a riot!  Being "parked" in front of the pig beach has its pros and cons. You get to watch everyone else interact with them but there is a fairly constant stream of traffic coming and going. We had pulled up tight to mainly reduce the amount of wind we would have.  And it was a smooth, flat anchorage which we were sorely in need of.  

Another bonus was that at the opposite end of the island was another cruiser's beach.  We pulled up wondering if it was private but it is there for all cruisers to enjoy.

Enjoyed a really good night's sleep after a day of discovery and exploration.  The next morning who shows up but S/V White Wings.  So glad to see Frank and Laurie as the rest of the gang is still heading south and we probably won'tbe seeing them again.  We were just ready to go into town when they showed up so waited for them and into Staniel Cay proper we go.  

We made a stop at one of the grocery stores and then to the Yacht Club for some lunch.  Great place, very quaint.  Had a great time and some yummy food.  Then John and Frankand Laurie went snorkeling at the Thunderball grotto.  it is the place where the James Bond movie of the same name (and a couple of others) was filmed.  They said it was great.  I stayed "home" took a hot shower and did yoga on the foredeck.  Then we all headed in to the cruiser's beach for a beer and back to our boat for a little pasta dinner.

Tommorrow we move on...to where we are not sure?