Little Famers Cay

2.4.11

We sailed down to Little Farmers Cay on Thursday. It was a perfect sailing day! The wind was blowing just enough to go full sail and allow us to travel at 5 knots – our perfect speed. We left early to try to get a jump on the other boats, but when we made it out of Black Point and onto the “highway” (the nickname we have for the Bank, since all the boats follow the same waypoints like drones, it puts them all lined up on the same track), we realized there were at least 5 boats ahead of us! And, by 10am, we were out on the highway among about 12 other boats! It was incredible! And it was so beautiful to see all those sails in the air.
We were among the first 10 boats to reach the anchorage and chose a spot a bit south and out of the way – we like our privacy. As usual, the other boats all anchored closer to the yacht club and near each other in what we have deemed the “herding style” of boating.
We quickly dinghied over to the island to visit the grocer and the fuel dock – we didn't want them to run out of supplies before we could get there! We got the necessary items at the grocer and then headed around the corner to the fuel dock. Along the way, we stopped and talked to a boat that we recognized from Marathon! It is a small boating world for sure!
Much to our chagrin, when we reached the fuel dock, we found out that they don't carry gas or diesel anymore! We were down to our last 5 gallons of gas – not nearly enough to run out generator and our outboard! The owner of the yacht club generously filled 5 gallons from his private stock for as, with added inflation of course, but beggars can't be choosers! At least this will be enough to last us till our next stop...we hope.
Throughout the day, the cruisers filed in on their boats slowly filling the anchorage. Around 4pm, the yacht club sponsored a happy hour so we headed over to meet and greet. We pulled up and to our absolute shock, saw “Quality Time” waiting there for us! We thought they were long ahead of us and had already reached Georgetown! It was a very pleasant surprise and we all headed in for free conch fritters and some mingling.
We found ourselves amidst a group of boaters from Marathon, all discussing our travels this far and comparing the places we had gone. It was a great night and we hated to leave, but wanted to get back before sundown.
Friday, we went back to land in the early afternoon for the start of the festivities. There was a group of cruisers hanging around Ocean Cabin, participating in events that would normally be found at Spring Break gatherings for college kids. Wet T-shirt contests, best butt, best legs (the last two were men's competitions!) - all participants were over 40 and were baring things that should not in normal societies see the light of day! There was lots of laughing and good-natured ribbing as the Kaliks flowed freely. We did participate in the hermit crab races. Everyone places bets on one of 9 crabs, then they are all placed in the middle of a ring and the first three out are winners! It was hysterical watching these hermit crabs slowly crawl towards the edges where people were enthusiastically urging their crab to victory.
We went back out to the boat for dinner and opted to stay in for the evening. The Bahamian C-class boat racing starts tomorrow and we are taking Koa over to the beach to enjoy the fun!