Back in Florida.

Easter Sunday - April 5, 2015

      Our last days in Hope Town seemed to fly by and then, suddenly, it was time to cast off.  On the afternoon of Monday 30th March we waved a fond farewell to Ben & Margaret on 'Diva', and other friends at the Hope Town Marina, and made our way cautiously out of the harbour with 'Camp David' following close behind. Ron & Jane waved as we passed them entering the harbour on their new Albury run-about.. They would be staying for another three weeks. Lucky things! We will miss them and all the fun we've had this year.
     Our trip back went smoothly, but the days seemed, and were, long. We had decided to cross through 'The Whale' that first afternoon and anchor off Green Turtle. The Whale crossing was a little bumpy, with four foot swells, but it went well, and we had a very peaceful night at anchor.  Our trip across the Little Bahama Banks, with depths of 12 foot or less, was smooth motoring with no wind on the first leg to Great Sale Cay, but a little rougher on the second leg as an 18 knot wind got up during the night. Of course the wind was on the nose, so no sailing for us! Our group of three boats - Southern Vectis, Camp David and Whisper - slowed down to ensure the tide was high enough to pass through the shallow short cut of Indian Rock Passage.
     Luckily we had made a reservation at 'Old Bahama Bay Marina' at West End as it was packed. We have never seen it so busy. We were given the last docks!  By 7:30 a.m. the next morning most of the docks had emptied as boats set off on their long passages either west across the 'Stream', or east to Great Sale and Green Turtle Cay.  All the weather gurus were right that day as there was hardly a ripple to be seen for the 54 miles of our Gulf Stream crossing to Lake Worth.  Once anchored we even beat our earliest record for 'Boaters Bedtime' and were fast asleep before 7:30 p.m.! The days had been very long and very hot, and it was a relief to look forward to some quieter days to come.
     Now we are anchored at the north Lake Worth anchorage. We have met up with Martin and Sigita on 'Jumasi'. They spent the winter in the Keys this year. Last night we had an Easter drinks party on board 'Southern Vectis', and today we went for a delicious and decadent Easter Brunch at 'Sarah's Kitchen'.  The weather is lovely, and the forecast is good for the week, so we are planning to head north up the ICW tomorrow and try to get a mooring at 'Sunset Bay' in Stuart for a few days. We are due back at our dock at Harbortown Marina, Fort Pierce, on April 10th.