Time To Move On

Our time in George Town is drawing to an end, as is our time in the Bahamas. We wish we could stay. There are still so many islands to visit, so many places we wish we could see, so many people we love hanging out with. But time is pressing on and its not such a bad thing to leave a place wishing we could see a little more.

This last month in George Town has flown by. We achieved the work on the boat we set out to do and enjoyed our time here immensely. 

We've been in great company...

We've had enormous fun during the regatta, taking part in some of the festivities and events. 
Like the coconut challenge....

And the variety show..

We have loved all the walks....

And the glorious beaches...

The dazzling sunsets...

And our room with a view...

Walking The Wife...

We are anchored off one of my favourite Islands – Stocking Island in Great Exuma. I know that many have a love/hate relationship with George Town in the Exumas. It is, as many say - a summer camp for grown-ups. With nearly 400 boats in the harbour it is not a place you come to escape the masses. The VHF radio spews out chatter all day long.  There are numerous activities should you wish to join in.  Sim and I aren’t really bothered about participating in a lot of these. But I do like Stocking Island, with all its paths and trails  - and walking is about the only exercise i get these days; especially now that I don’t swim as much as I used to. My fear of sharks has taken over – and don’t even mention the incident with the remora – aka shark sucker! Suffice to say if I’m going to get any exercise it’s going to be on terra firma – I’m such a wimp!

Stocking Island is the barrier island protecting George Town from the Atlantic Ocean

Anyway, Stocking Island is gorgeous. It’s maybe only a third of mile wide at its widest and three and half miles long but it is crisscrossed with paths and trails that all lead to out spectacular beaches. Beautiful Blue Ocean on soft sandy beaches are littered with shells and rocky outcrops. Not to mention the rare living stromatolites – oxygen producing organisms billions of years old that helped complex life develop billions of years ago. I love it.  I honestly don’t think I will ever tire of all the little wonders this island has to offer.

The rare stromatolites found on the windward side of Stocking Island

If I can find a walking buddy, it's the perfect way to have a walk and often, a much needed natter  - another ear to bend other than Sims in our sometimes very insular world. Sim is not always up for going on a walk, he would happily spend days and days and days on the boat without it bothering him at all.  I, on the other hand would go crazy if I am stuck on board for more than a day. So I really appreciate it when he offers (is bribed, manipulated!) to come with me.  I know, he knows that I’d like him to come with me. I know too that his knees sometimes hurt walking on the soft sand. And that he doesn’t quite get as excited about beaches as I do. But he knows that I need to get off the boat and walk, to escape the capsule that is our home.  He calls it 'walking the wife'.  And realizes it’s a good investment to the sanity on board. And I love him for that.

We have had a few walks on Stocking Island this season; on our own or with friends, sometimes taking the kayaks, sometimes not, sometimes having a swim as well. And when asked, I think Sim will tell you that he enjoys 'walking the wife' too!

For a map of the trails on Stocking Island click here

Walking with Sim, Gideon, Brett and Dorothy

Happy as a kid in a candy store.

The area known as 'the baths' where the pools fill and drain - gorgeous on a calm day.

One of the most stunning beaches I have seen....and Ive seen a few!

Another view of the Stromatolites

Sim walking with Brett ang Gideon

Looking south on the windward side

You can almost see that as a water colour.

Sim following shoe tree trail at the north end of Stocking Island

Salt Rock at the top of Monument Hill. It was to let ships know that salt was 

produced here. nb the photo is straight the monument is wonky!

Georgetown - A Water Playground with Sims Mum and Brother

"Magic Bay", Stocking Island

It would be easy to wonder how we would keep our next visitors – Sim's mum and brother entertained for two weeks within the confines of Georgetown, but it’s amazing the how the longer you stay in a place the more you discover.

We enjoyed more picnics at what has been dubbed “Magic Bay” by Sim's mum north of Monument Beach, just around the corner from the sandy headland. We walked across some of the trails on Stocking Island to the windward side and enjoyed the ocean beaches. We kayaked, swam, snorkeled, walked and talked the days away.  We ate good food, because if nothing else we eat well on Wandering Star and lunched at the sumptuous St Francis resort and Exuma yacht club who excel in making the most stupendous burger. We discovered new places to anchor - by the cut between Stocking and Elizabeth Islands – wot a spot! The colours are so mesmerizing and evocative that they take your breath away. Within that same area is a small coral reef with good snorkeling where the coral gardens are fabulous - colourful and bursting with marine life. We spent afternoons frolicking on the beaches, pottering about in the afternoon sun, generally having a lovely time. And despite the lack of wind we even managed a sail.

Once again words fail and only pictures will do.

Our picnic shelter on "Magic Beach"

Enjoying some shade away from the bright sunshine

Our own piece of paradise

Sims mum/Meg taking in the "magic" at "magic bay"

Sim and Gil kayaking in the crystal clear waters

El Capitano working hard ;-)

Sims mum and brother share our beautiful surrounds

Sim and I 

Sim wading in "The Baths"

Sim and his mum sharing a moment

The beaches on the windward side are filled with tiny shells

A delicious meal at the St Francis Resort on Stocking Island

View from the St Francis Resort

Sunny daze!

"The Girls"

Gil and I joined some yachtie friends for a walk to the Monument

"The Boys"

The views out across the bay from the top of Monument Hill

HUGE termite nest on one of the walks

Sitting on the "Tourist Tree"

A lot of signs along the walks explain the various trees and foliage

Haha :-)

Balmy days in a perfect spot between Stocking and Elizabeth Island

The water is simply stunning

50 shades of blue.

Our home for the night at the south end of Stocking Island

A ray sleeping on the bottom of the reef 

Honeycomb Cowfish

The small coral reef was fantastic snorkeling

Azure vase sponge

Bluehead Wrass

Tubulate Sponge

Grey Angelfish

 Azure Vase Sponge

Sim and Gil out for an afternoon Kayak

Can you see the flounder found in the rocky shoreline by Sand dollar beach?

...and the octopus hidden in the rock?

Flat calm, balmy waters, just perfect for kayaking

Sand dolllar found on Sand dollar beach!

Its not all play....I go aloft for a rig check.

As Sim is not keen going aloft so its my job to inspect the rigging....

Sim gets the tough job winching me up the mast!

A last day for Meg and Gil with games on the beach

Another day ends....

With another amazing sunset