Moonstruck: Stocking Island May 19

There was serious melancholie on board when we departed Cave Cay leaving half of the fleet behind us.
After passing Rudder Cu and heading into the Exuma Sound, JP decided to set the fishing line in the water and joined Diane on the bridge to contemplate the rolling seas. Diane was hoping for no catch as she did not want to deal with a fish today.
When at 10:15 AM just of off Lee Stocking Island we heard an odd sound, dang it’s the reel, we brought in a 36”, 18 lbs Mahi Mahi. What a thrill, we caught our first fish! It was bit of bumpy/lumpy ride to George Town, and after 6 hours, 37.66 NM we had arrived in George Town..

Now we have to figure out how to filet this beautiful fish

As we were setting the anchor off Monument Beach on Stocking Island, a dinghy stopped by and who is it but Joe, Susan and Baci from Mud Puddle Rose. Diane’s Salty Sister Sally Plonsky had connected us back in St.Petersburg as they have been in the Bahamas since March 1^st and have a great blog www.cruisingwiththechilbergs.com

Baci, Joe and Susan from Mud Puddle Rose

It was time for a nap. Allez Cat II invited us over for dinner and offered to cook the freshly caught Mahi, and provided nibbles, wine, salad and sweet potatoes – it was delicious and fun evening.

Marya, JP, Chet and Sandy on Allez Cat II

Monday’s skies were grey, and after a tasty breakfast of French Toast made with Bahamian Bread it was time to take the dink to shore and walk up to the Monument, what a view.

Steep climb, but worthwhile

Still having some energy we walked out to North Beach and off of this is on Stocking Island.

Now it was time to go into George Town on Great Exuma Island, a 20 minute dinghy ride with someone getting wet. This is our first time to this area and it was a bit tricky finding the bridge that takes you into Lake Victoria, but we found it.

Not much room to spare. Priority to incoming traffic

We had a great lunch at Driftwood Café and met Linda Smithe & Brian Ducharme traveling on Destination a 44’ Gulfstart Motor Yacht.

After moving the boat to a mooring ball in expectation of windy weather, we joined the rest of the PDQs and the next beach cocktail party in front of Chat 'n Chill

8:00 AM is the Cruiser's net on VHF 72. The truck will be picking people up at 10:30 AM in front of the Exuma Market to go to the Island Prime Meat Market.