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A few days at Thompson Bay

The enjoyable part of getting away from George Town, more than the very quiet VHF, is meeting others who have escaped. Whether it’s getting together for a beach walk or meeting up at a happy hour, fewer boats means you most likely can and will meet them all. Saturday morning (how early? 9am) five of us met on the small beach at our anchorage and Yvonne led the way- about a mile- to a flotsam-filled beach on the western shore. We couldn’t have found it without her. Take the path from the beach- marked with the usual noticeable things hanging on tree branches and/or conch shells at the path’s start- walk past the large covered cement cistern, at the road turn right then left on the main road (Queen’s Highway) and once you’ve counted 17, or was it 18, phone poles you’ll find the path over to the desired beach. Naturally, the path is marked in the usual way and this one also provided a small selection of walking sticks which can also be used to search for sea beans and other beach goodies.

We arrive at the marked path that will lead to the beach

We arrive at the marked path that will lead to the beach

I think you've seen me in this "pose" before

I think you’ve seen me in this “pose” before

We’ve talked with several serious beachcombers; the Bahamian islands further east like Long Island, Rum Cay, Conception and Eleuthera are excellent for those seeking all things “sea”; sea glass, sea beans, sea shells, sea trash and more.

Long Island Breeze is a resort-ish sort of place, offering meals, accommodations, pool, book exchange, wifi, showers, laundry room (with dryers that really dry your clothes), small gift area and most importantly (although not any more) the ONLY Lats & Atts Cruising Club Harbor Hangout in the entire Bahamas!

Long Island Breeze: bar area. Gift area to far left

Long Island Breeze: bar area. Gift area to far left

Owners Michael and Jackie run a casual, clean and comfortable establishment with a well-maintained floating dinghy dock. Since they close Sundays and Mondays, Saturday evening happy hour is usually well-attended- maybe ‘cuz the fritters are plentiful and the pizza yummy. 

Mike mixes up delicious rum punches

Mike mixes up delicious rum punches

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A Deja Vu Surprise

We love a calm sail, anywhere in the 60 – 120 degree zone is fine and boy we sure nailed one for the 7 hour trip to Thompson Bay, Long Island. We exited Elizabeth Harbor via the south “cut” which is wide enough to be relatively benign and noticed several boats ahead of us and a blue-hulled Nordic Tug behind- yep was Northstar headed for Conception Island. So far this was a one engine motor trip, but when the wind got up to 7kts we raised the main, unfurled the jib and before long were enjoying the ideal sail.  About this same time we crossed the Tropic of Cancer and officially entered the Tropics! No wonder the temp gauge reached 85!   For a while we slid along at 5kts in water calm enough to easily see bottom in 12-15ft.

We notice sails behind us which turn into being a catamaran which turns out to be Déjà Vu.

Sailing slowly, Deja Vu catches up.

Sailing slowly, Deja Vu catches up.

Before I realized who it was, the camera was out and I was poised to hail the boat. Why?  For that elusive photo of us under sail and what a great opportunity; a beautiful, calm, sunny day in the tropics!  Now that we KNEW the boat I was all smiles as I hailed them; Helen answered and said we’d inspired them to get that minor engine repair done and head to Long Island.

We are probably doing about 3kts now.

We are probably doing about 3kts now.

We took pictures of each other and of course by the time they caught up, the wind died down and soon after we resorted to motor-sailing.

By 3pm we’d dropped the Rocna in Thompson Bay which is a large anchorage on Long Island’s western shore about mid-island and the place where most boats spend at least a few days. Russ enjoyed a kayak tour of the north section where we’d joined 6 other boats, mostly cats. Saturday we’d join Déjà Vu and Yvonne of Options III for a walk to the beach and some serious beach combing.

Long Island’s northernmost point is Cape Santa Maria, named for Christopher Columbus’ ship. The island is roughly 80 miles long and no wider than 4 miles. “The most beautiful island in the world”, according to Chris’s log book- but then again this was only his third New World stop. It is perhaps one of the most dramatic islands of The Bahamas in natural beauty, with bold headlands, towering cliffs along with rolling hills- not to mention miles and miles of beaches. The prettiest sit on the west (banks) side. Those with the most to offer a beach comber sit on the east (ocean side) where the wind and waves move “you name it” on to shore in a never-ending refill of treasures. With a large population of 3,500 the island was/is fairly prosperous. The settlements are spread out, many with long stretches of “not much” in between.

Driftwood beach art at nearby mangrove flats

Driftwood beach “art” at nearby mangrove flats

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