May 1st, Sailed from Guana Cay to Marsh Harbour, Abaco's. 10nm downwind in 25knot winds. A great and fast sail under the jib.
May 2nd More chores in Marsh Harbour. This is the last place we shall see a bank or post office for some time. Forgot to mail postcards.
May 3rd We sailed from Mrash Harbour to Green Turtle cay. Seven foot rollers were occasionally passing through the Whale cut but over all the pass was easy. We are trying to get a good anchorage spot for the Family Roots Festival occuring this weekend.
May 4th James awoke early and went hunting. James shot four fish - a personal record. We had fish burgers for lunch. The fridge stopped working again. We walked around Green Turtle Cay. The town of New Plymouth is very brightly colored there is a lot of pride in appearance here.
May 5th We are anchored in Black Sound. While cuddling Pierce I discovered lice in his hair. AHHHHH.. After going to the local nurse I was able to get some medicated shampoo. Evan and Pierce had a hair cut while three boys they have been playing with also their hair cut short. UGG. We think Pierce got the lice from Bahamian school or from trying on hats.
May 6th Sterilized the boat and clothing, ten loads of washing! After the boat and humans were lice free we went to the Roots festival. Pierce won a second place trophy for a coconut bark boat race. We watched a traditional Junkanoo and the Bahama Police Force Band. Other popbands played and dancing continued all night.
May 7th We set off from Green Turtle Cay and sailed to Pennsicola/Allens Cay. It took four tries to anchor since the holding is not very good there. Dinner was held aboard Quixotic. It was a farewell dinner since we shall be arriving in the USA at different locations. Many boats in the harbor joined in the dinner,"Into the Mystic", "Quixotic", "Seaesta", "Scott Free", and "Diva". The company of Quixotic crew will be missed.
May 8th We left Pennsicola/Allens cay at 08:00hrs, motorsailing to leave the Bahama banks by nightfall. It is too dangerous to be sailing at night on the banks in such shallow water. We managed to leave the banks by sunset. Heather is not feeling well due to sinua allergies, she has also lost her voice. The waves started to pick up, but we are able to motor sail well. Quixotic was able to let us know which way to turn to avoid the numerous thunderstorms and squalls occuring around us, (they have radar). Unfortunatly Quixotic was able to maintain a faster pace and soon became out of radio range. James was able to sleep during his off watches but Heather was awake all night.
May 9th Sailed all day, wind turned, now coming from the north. We cannot contact Quixotic on the radio. The main water tank is leaking as the hull is flexing, obviously there is a crack in the tank. The high water bildge alarm also went off due to water crashing over the bow and entering through the anchor chain hole. At least the alarm works..We are in the gulfstream and now bucking the waves. The main and the jib are up running with the gulfstream but our speed over ground is only 6knots. Considering the gulfstream runs 4knots we are not doing very good. After some analysis of speed and direction it was determined that we had 56 miles to Cape Canaveral or 162 nautical miles to St.Mary's river. We headed back towards Cape Canaveral and had a nice evening sail.
May 10th Arrived at Port Canaveral at 01:00hrs and tied up to a fuel dock for the rest of the night. Still no radio contact with Quixoic. After researching customs rules we discovered that no husked coconuts are allowed into the country. We had six husked coconuts onboard which we consequently had to carry to the customs office 1 1/2 miles away. Coconuts become heavy after walking that far... Motored onto the ICW and dried up the boat.
May 11th The whole family slept in, a much needed sleep was attained by all. We decided to sail to Titusville today. There is smoke in the air, apparently lots of forrest fires are burning in Florida..I am thankfull we are on water.
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