Man-O-War Cay (Lat: 26 35.50° Long.: 77 00.50°)

Just a short journey across the bay from Marsh Harbour lays a small island called Man-O-War Cay. We arrived here for two reasons: Saturday, a fundraising flea market and auction for the local school; and secondly on Sunday, a major cold front coming in with blows North West clocking northward up to 45 knots. This harbour is classified as a hurricane hole.

Saturday (17th Feb), we went ashore early for the flea market with a couple of purchases in mind, if available. I wanted to head to the Pantry, where the local ladies made homemade breads, cookies, pies and preservatives. While, Ted, had boat parts in mind. When we took our goodies back to the boat, the waters were calm. Ideal time, to test Topaz, by taking her for a dinghy ride. Keep in mind our dinghy is rubber/inflated and she is fully equipped with claws….sharp claws. I sat her on the two lifejackets that lay on the floor, Ted proceeds very slowly. All seems well, she’s calm, so he gradually increases the speed. She meows a little, but in most case’s, appears to be relaxed. Every once in awhile, she’ll go up to the bow, allowing the wind to blow in her face.

Once around the mooring field, we take Topaz back to Xcelsior. We head back ashore for some lunch at the big tent. After a couple of hours, we return with friends Bob and Linda for afternoon cocktails…or so we thought. What appears to be a extreme low tide, Xcelsior is laying on her side, baring more bottom than we like to see, unless under sail. Tide still going out, more bottom to be viewed. Once we found a vacant ball, we placed a reserve float on it with assistance from Bob and Linda. Three hours later we were upright and able to move to our new location. Tomorrow’s tide will even be lower (as it’s a new moon tide) and with the strong winds expected, the last thing we wish to happen, is to be hard aground as well.

Later that evening, we got bad news from home that a good friend had past away. Our condolences to his family and friends. Our heart and thoughts are with you.

Here it is Sunday, and the weather forecast was extremely accurate as the winds blow we have a lazy day on the boat. Soon to get an update of the weather at 1930. Our plans for the week (weather permitting) is to go back to Marsh Harbour for one night and than Tuesday off to Treasure Cay and over within the next couple of day to Little Harbour, before departing for Eleuthera Island. At this stage, we will have to say farewell to four new friends, that we have travel with since Florida.