Day 205 Monday, Jan 13th -Don’t be afraid to go north!

Day 205 Monday, Jan 13^th   - Don’t be afraid to go north!

We wake up another beautiful day, much like all the ones earlier.  We have decided to move today so we get the boat ready to move and head to shore to do some last minute shopping.  We need to pick up some milk and whatever else which is on the shelves and takes our fancy.  We end up with milk, some cookies, eggs and bread.

Jazzebelle and Synera at anchor 

Start of path to East side of Cambridge Cay

The title for the day comes from a phrase a cruiser used on us the 1^st happy hour we were at in Black Point.  People were complaining about the south wind blocking their travels south, the old cruiser replied there are many great place to go north in the Exumas, “Don’t be afraid to go north”.  So with that comment in mind and a south wind to our back we head north.  Our destination is Cambridge Cay which is at the south end of the Exuma Land and Sea Park.  We had visited this park with Casey and Kevin earlier at the north end but had passed by here on our way to Staniel Cay.  We have had this anchorage recommended to us by a number of people as it has some great snorkeling as well as providing protection from all directions and there are some strong west winds forecasted for later in the week.

Selfie on the beach

At the top of Cambridge Cay

View north along the East side of Cambridge Cay

The sail north is lovely, we hoist the DRS as soon as we leave Black Point and keep it up for the entire 17 mile run.  The sail is more of a reacher than a running sail so we do the run in two tacks.  We coast along at 4.5 to 5 knots making it one of the most enjoyable sails on the adventure so far.  The sun is shining down, the water is a beautiful blue what more can a sailor wish for.  We arrive at Cambridge Cay around 2:30 which is good as High tide is at 5:30.  There are some shallows we have to get through so we want to be on a half rising tide.  This gives us some extra water and if we do find the ground we will be floated off.  We get into the anchorage no problem, although a little nerve racking as with the clear water it give you a feeling you are passing through 2’ water depth.

Shaft of sunlight over the Exuma Bamk

The anchorage is on mooring balls provided by the Park.  We had half wondered if there would be mooring balls left but there is only one other boat moored.  The other boat is Syrena which is owned by a couple from Oakville, we had met at Black Point.  Once we are settled in we head to shore for the short hike across Cambridge Cay to the Exuma Sound side.  The hike is short as the island is about 500 meters wide.  We head up the hill here to catch the sunset and to get cell service.  The sunset is lovely and we take about 50 shots, (you have to love digital for that feature), and then head back to the boat as night falls.

Sunset at Cambridge Cay

We have an excellent meal of left over stir fry followed by a coffee, but instead of the normal evening entertainment of Kings Cribbage we spend the evening playing Euchre.  On the way over to shore we had stopped and invited Barry and Wilma from Syrena over.  We had a great time, well most of us, Julie did not get the cards and never won a game.  We played well past our bedtime with our guest leaving after 10 pm.

It was definitely a good call to come go north.

Cheers

Dawson and Julie