Dec 12-15 It was basically windy most of the days. The Thunderball anchorage was fine as long as the wind was from the north. With all the currents coming and going, if the wind wasn’t strong enough to keep us south of the sand bar, we would drift onto it from time to time. Finally it was calm enough to move to the Big Majors anchorage and we were joined by Andale. Cocktails were in order on the beach with all the new boats back in the anchorage!

Dec.16 We showed Andale Staniel Cay. Kat and I got groceries and we all had lunch at the Yacht Club. In the afternoon, We took both dinghies to the Isles General dock near the airport and picked up Chris, Corey, and Mike. After the kids settled in and had a quick swim off the beach, we had an early dinner and went to bed.

Dec. 17 Had to go snorkeling at Thunderball Grotto for old times sake and Corey saw many new fish for her life list. Later, we fed the pigs and zoomed around in the dinghy to various beaches for shelling. For dinner, we invited Chris and Ann from “Mr Mac” over to meet the kids because he writes pirate books (Mike loves pirates) and she is a marine biologist (mike wants to be a marine biologist). Everyone had a great time and a rousing game of Mexican Train Dominos.

Dec. 18 This mornings expedition with Andale was done by dinghy 3 miles down to Bitter Guana Cay just below Staniel in 15 kts of wind from the SE. It was a bouncy ride but the bigger dinghies can handle it. Our bodies were a little worse for the wear but it was “something to do while we had the kids here “. On Bitter Guana are a good group of local iguanas on the beach and they love fruit. We all fed them and were pleased to see babies among the group. There is also an interesting white cliff formation to check out. The trip back was definitely easier. After lunch, we left the anchorage and headed up to Bell Island which was about a 20nm trip. We wanted to anchor just east of it because more wind was coming from the SW, W to N over the next two days. The anchorage is surrounded by islands and you don’t get too much wave action. John found a sweet spot where we could swing 360 and not be in too shallow water. Bell Island in privately owned now by the Aga Khan.

Dec. 19 The wind was blowing but John dropped us off on a small protected beach and we beach combed and explored the island. After lunch, the big expedition was N past Little Halls Pond Cay, which belongs to Johnny Depp, and further north to Big Halls Pond Cay to walk on the long beach and snorkel. I walked the beach and the kids snorkeled. john smoked a cigar in the dinghy. On the way back, we tried to stop at the “sea aquarium” to snorkel, but it was too rough. Dinner and a movie finished off the day.

Dec. 20 When John awoke, he spotted a large pirate flag and a motor yacht by Johnny Depp’s island. They had not been there the day before which meant he must be in residence! The kids were all excited to get a closer look so we loaded up the dinghy and zoomed up there in the1-2ft chop. The big flag had a skull & crossbones and a red sparrow and the yacht was at least 150 ft and looked like a reproduction of an old motor yacht. All the beaches were set up with”toys” and lounge chairs. I have photos in the next post. On the way back, we were able to stop at the “sea aquarium” and the fish were back! After all were safely on board, we brought the anchor up and headed out to sea to weave our way through the islands back down to Big Majors. The first few minutes on the outside were a bit rocky and rolly in the 3-4 ft confused seas and we had to stuff towels in a few noisey places but it didn’t last long. Soon we were back through the next cut and headed for the bank and calmer waters with only 1-2ft chop. Luckily the wind was on our stern. Lunch was served and we went smoothly down to Big Majors. Scrabble and dominos were the entertainment during cocktail hour and the movie, Moby Dick, was the evening entertainment.