March 22, 2022
We left Royal Island today to anchor outside the cut into Spanish Wells. Our anchor solidly grabbed in about 10 feet of water. We decided to rent a golf cart to get the lay of the land, or should I say the island. We found one to rent for $50 at Yacht Haven. We first went to Food Fair and hung out with Stanley, Andrew’s dog, so that Andrew could grab some groceries. After dropping Andrew and the groceries off at his dinghy, we made the 2-mile trek to Sandbar Beach Bar and Grill for lunch. I had some perfectly cooked fish tacos and Ben had a spicey chicken sandwich.
The restaurant was on Russell Island which was attached to Spanish Wells by a bridge.
Russell Island appeared to be surrounded by mangroves with a few canals running through for boat access. As you cross the bridge there was a lovely beach for swimming and an outlet that took you to the North Beach.
The North Beach was breathtaking with pure, soft white sand and shallow water that went out to a sandbar where some people had taken chairs to sit. Between the light aqua water and white sand, it was a postcard perfect picture view!
We went back to the Food Fair to pick up some provisions but would return later for more items because we were going to get a dock tomorrow. It would be easier to carry food a docked boat than in dinghy.
Since the grocery had some nice fresh vegetables, we had a sheet pan dinner of chicken, squash, and potatoes. I love when I can get fresh vegetables. Evidently, Eleuthera has several farming communities where vegetables and fruit as well as chickens are raised. I bought chicken for about the same price as in Florida.
March 23, 2022
As there was a front coming in on Friday, we got a dock in channel at the Spanish Wells Marine and Hardware on South St. Tying up at the dock gave us easy access to town with our scooters or to simply walk around. It was not an easy dock to tie up to because it was non-floating, but with help from the neighbors we finally got secured. Between getting fuel and adjusting lines for the tide, it basically took all day.
I spent the time making chicken spaghetti to put in the freezer for the passage south. We had hoped to jump offshore this next week and go to USVI, but one crew member had a change in plans, and another ended up sick. Since it was a 5-6 day offshore passage, we were hoping to have at least one more crew to break up the watches. Therefore, it looked like we would wait until the next weather window to make the journey.
Ben keeps telling me we have plenty of time, but I watch the days tick away and it makes me nervous. It is amazing how much time you can kill waiting on weather windows.
Meanwhile, we had a lovely island to explore. So that was the plan. We went for an afternoon dinghy ride once we finally got the boat secured properly. We negotiated the channel to the beach by the bridge. There were canals, lovely houses and boat docks lining the channel.
The beach was beautiful with lots of folks swimming and sunning.
March 24, 2022
A wonderful lady came by today to collect our laundry as there were no laundromats on Spanish Wells. It turned out that our guidebook was a little old as it had indicated there were three places for laundry. I should have laundried the sheets in Great Harbour but thought I could do it here. Nevertheless, she picked the bags up and will wash, fold, and deliver them all back to the boat. So that was awesome!
We unloaded the scooters and took a tour around town only to discover that everything was closed from 1200-1300 for lunch except restaurants and grocery stores. We tried to have lunch at Anchors Away but found they only served breakfast. We scootered along the wharf on South Street and up to Main Street. These were the only two east-west streets as the island was 2 miles long and ½ mile wide. Except for one steep hill in the middle of town, it was an easy scooter or walking town. The only way to cross over to the main island of Eleuthera is by ferry.
We ate some delicious hamburgers at Budda’s and scoped out some pineapple rum that we wanted to buy on our way back from the grocery. I went across the street to the beauty salon to see if I could get a trim this week. The lady doing our laundry, Christy’s three girls worked at the salon. They were going to squeeze me on Tues. because they were only open from Tues. to Fri. each week and booked solid!
Our next stop was at Kathy’s bakery where there were too many choices and we bought way too much—never take Ben to the bakery!! We bought cinnamon raisin bread, banana bread and Johnnycakes.
The Food Fair was across the street from the bakery. So we popped in to get a few more items now that we were at a dock. Just as we returned to the boat with the groceries, Christy dropped off our laundry. YAY! I never knew how much I relished clean sheets until I lived on a boat!
Ben decided to go check out the seafood store that was closed for lunch when we went by earlier. He scored with a couple of pounds of stone crab claws and two spiney lobster tails which they call crawfish. This seafood establishment has been providing all the lobster tails for Red Lobster for 38 years. So now you know, the lobster at Red Lobster is Bahamian crawfish!
To get this dinner started, I made pina colados using the newly bought pineapple rum. They were out of this world, good! Then, I made a salad with the fresh vegetables from the store. The lettuce and tomatoes were both locally grown and tasted wonderfully. We steamed the lobster tails and claws. Both were succulent and basically melted in your mouth. We even had two claws left over that I would make crab scampi with tomorrow. What a feast!
March 25, 2022
Well the front that spawned the tornados in Texas and elsewhere on the mainland USA finally made it here. The boat got a good rinse! Ben said he could check “wash boat” off his list. Haha! I was glad to be tied up to the dock because the wind would be cycling around all day, and the boats that were anchored out were having to play the Spanish Well’s shuffle and move from one anchorage to another as the wind shifted.
So what did we do on a rainy day? I made pizza dough in the bread machine to freeze, and key lime pie for dinner tonight while Ben replaced a bilge pump. Plus, it was a good day to catch up on paperwork, finances, and emails. At least we have good cell and wifi.
It also was a perfect time to work on the blog, read my book and take a nap as the rain was expected for most of the day.
Cousin John just called and said he was starting to feel better and was planning to fly in on Wednesday. I guess we would have a few more days to explore this lovely island while we wait for John and another weather window.
I have to say that going offshore for 5-6 days basically terrifies me, but it is also exciting, because I know the boat is ready and we are ready. Most of all it will finally get me to the Caribbean and able to go south to Grenada for hurricane season. So say your prayers that we find the best, safest weather window to go!
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