The squally weather continued with a few coming through last night as we were anchored at Flamingo Cay but by this morning (Monday) the skies were clearing though the winds were a bit light for sails alone. So we hoisted the main and rolled out the jib, and reluctantly took some assist from the engine to keep us moving. There are times when moving slowly along under sail alone is just want you want to do. Today wasn't one of those times. We had to go about 50 miles and be at our destination before dark to anchor. At six knots this was at best eight hours - north four hours to the Comer Channel; two hours to transit the Comer; and transit it for another two hours to get back to Thompsons Bay for the night.
We were able to sail or motor sail for the first leg north but the light easterly winds forced us to take down both sails and just motor through the Comer. With light, to sometimes non-existent wind, the waters in the Comer were very calm so that we could easily see the sea fans and star fish on the white sandy bottom 7-8 feet below us. The calm water also gave an unsettling feeling the the water was much more shallow than it actually was. Having recorded our track through the first time through the Comer we had a lot of confidence on the return trip so we just enjoyed the beauty of the aqua waters as Juno glided along. We exited the east end of the Comer and continued two more hours under engine to Thompson's Bay where we dropped the anchor for sundowner G&Ts and dinner.
Tuesday at 5AM another squall with lightning came through, so we ran through the drill of putting our valuable electronics in the microwave. After it blew through we managed to sleep for another hour or so. We had planned to set off first thing but there were still squalls in the area so we took the opportunity to finish few a chores. After the skies cleared we set off under power but the NE winds filled in and before long we were sailing! We returned to George Town (Elizabeth) Harbour. With the NE winds forecast to continue to build we went back to an earlier anchorage under the protection of Elizabeth Island, that at least for the time being, we had all to ourselves.
Wednesday AM we found a boat had come in during the night and anchored in the area. Before long another 5 showed up, all part of a group of solo-sailors that had just sailed back from the northern end of Long Island. The day was forecast to be rainy and very windy so we stayed put took the downtime to catch up on odds and ends. Sometimes that is as exciting as it gets.
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