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December 24, 2005
N23.3 W75.4 Georgetown
Christmas Eve!
This was a tricky voyage. We left Great Guana Cay at low tide (scary!) and HAD to arrive in Georgetown around high tide. (We never like to do anything AT high tide, because if we ground, there is no deeper water to get us out of our pickle). To do this, we had to sail at the speed of light. We really wanted to be in Georgetown for Christmas – this place is called Chicken Harbour for a good reason – many boats plan for the Caribbean and get just his far, and chicken out. That means lots of boats and lots of community.
We wiggled our way into Georgetown shortly after high tide with the combined miracle of wind and diesel. We radioed ahead for local knowledge of the shallow shoals and reefs. Georgetown Marine Services obliged with great advice. We followed it closely, and saw nothing less than a foot and a half under our keel. There were days when this would have put bricks firmly in my shorts, but with age and experience, these things are character builders.
We hopped in the dinghy to drop trash, and see if the local grocery, Exuma Markets, was open! Bonus! Fresh fruit and vegetables!
Christmas Eve on Platina: We put 300 tiny lights up to the top of the mast, and hung our code flags that spell “Happy Holidays” under the mizzen sheet. We settled in for a meal of cumin chick peas and garlic snapper. And movies. “A Christmas Story”. I am convinced that Ralphie is just like Chis as a little boy!
Many other boats strung Christmas lights, and it was a joy to sit back and take it in!
Christmas Eve was a recovery night after a few days at sea. Nice.
Posted by dave at December 24, 2005 12:19 PM