this area has hundreds or red star fish, some over one foot wide
anchored out side Hope Town
restored Abaco dinghies on mooring balls
a close up of another dinghy
nearly completed
Kent and Joe examining the door from the Elbow Cay Lighthouse
some of my snorkelling finds, this little crab was returned to the sea, to find a new home
another restoration taking place
the squall hits at 5pm
these waves are at least 2 ft, in the lee of the shore … winds clocking around
Moonlight Maid before she moved
leaving Alan and Heather after coffee, the next morning
March 24, 2015
tides - rise or fall every 6 inches in one hour on average in the Bahamas
in the Bay of Fundy - tides rise or fall 5 FEET on average every hour
just some info
- left Armstrong Cay at 9:30 - seas flat, so we motored for 2 hours to just outside Hope Town and Elbow Cay Lighthouse
We anchored just outside Fry's Mangrove and when settled we saw on the chart that there was underwater cables in this area, and we where very close to one. So the anchor came up again, and we moved about 400 ft away, set anchor again. Charts showed no cables in this area. Well a few hours later when I was snorkelling near the boat, what did I find but an underwater cable, lying on the sand, about 50 ft from our stern. The anchor was in the opposite direction, so we felt okay about this.
Joe had read about a boat restorer at Fry's Mangrove that gives new life to old boats, and that everyone is welcomed to dinghy in or come by golf cart.
We landed the dinghy around noon and was greeted by a friendly elderly dog. Our shouts of hello did not bring anyone, so we kind of felt like we should leave and come back in a few hours. We took a few pictures and headed out to take a few more pictures of the restored Abaco dinghies on mooring balls. One more glance back at shore, we saw a woman and another dog, so back again we went and was greeted warmly by Kent Leboutillier, who along with husband "
"Boot", own this beautiful one acre industry. Tomato Paste Resort and Great Harbour Boat Restoration, that restore Abaco dinghies and other historic boats, also a beautiful Mahogony door from the Elbow Cay Lighthouse.
Ceicil, a 37 yr old, Haitian born - legal Bahamian resident was away when we visited, but we understand; he has the talent and was mentored by Winer Malone, Hope Towns legendary and revered builder of Abaco Dinghies.
Tomato Paste Resort has 2 cottages, that can sleep 2 or 4, one is called "Fish Tales" and other " Salty Dog", and a second story studio loft "Bit 'A Heaven". We where given a tour of all 3 and I fell in love , the detail and workmanship was superior with finishing touches of dolphins and monkey fists handles, and the view from each place was spectacular.
We picked up the local Abaco life magazine and the winter 2015 issue featured Cecil, Great Harbour Boat Restoration and Tomato Paste Resort.
Thru this we learnt that Kent is a baker and her wedding cakes are one of a kind.
www.tomatopastehopetown.com
and how did they come up with the name Tomato Paste, Boot's friends filled his boots with tomato paste when he was in his early teens, and the name stuck …lol
March 25, 2015
We went into Hope Town and Joe left me for a few hours at our favourite coffee shop with good wifi and I posted 2 weeks of Blog material.
When we got back to Modaki a familiar boat was anchored near by, Moonlight Maid, Alan and Heather, we last saw each other in St. Augustine, Floria, when Joe and I on the shuttle boat, got caught in a down pour and was soaked completely and ended up in the cruisers laundry room. Heather lent us some dry clothes, while ours dried in the dryer. We had planned a 5pm happy hour on Moonlight Maid, but a squall passed thru, with seas 2 ft plus in the lee of the land, and the winds started clocking. Moonlight Maid re anchored a distance away, so we decided to get together for coffee in the morning.
March 26 - 27, 2015
We moved Modaki close to Moonlight Maid and had a great catch up of both our adventures this year. Moonlight Maid stayed anchored another night off Hope Town and the next day rounded the Whale to Green Turtle Cay. They are heading back to Florida and then flying home to Halifax.
When Modaki and crew got to Marsh Harbour it was packed full of boats, probably 100 plus. Bad weather was coming our way, with the next low. We found a spot, not the best, at low tide we had 6 inches under our keel. The weather was to be calm for the night and we knew we would be moving by morning.
A few calls to Mango Marina, and Ray made space for us at the dock. Slip #31, our usual spot. At 10pm the wind blew 40 knots, with some rain. Our fiends on Persuasion, Mike and Mary Ellen, had supper with us on shore and was back on their boat before the winds picked up. And with this type of low the winds clocked again.
March 28, Saturday
Joe and I did major grocery shopping, and got a taxi back to the boat, we went exploring again, and found a path way to the Doctor's Castle, but was unable to get any good pictures, there is so much development around them and trees are over grown. Some of the windows are boarded up also. We understand that their daughter Gayle, still lives there … she fundraises for the "potcakes"
the local mixed breed of dogs …
Monday we will be heading over to Great Guana Cay, and get ready to cross the Whale, when the seas settle down. Then to New Plymouth, and explore the northern Abaco's, before we cross to Florida.
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