We spent two nights in George Town then left early on a morning that promised a fast reach across Exuma Sound to the north end of Long Island. That promise dissolved as soon as we exited Three Fathom Channel and saw that the wind was due east, not the SE we expected. Even so, the northern route was still the better choice - it would just take us a bit further north than we had hoped. By noon, we were 10 miles off Cape Santa Maria and tacked for Dove Cay, a bit short of the lay line, and motor sailed a short while to make up the difference. Once past Dove Cay we were rewarded with 20 miles of the most perfect sailing imaginable - a close reach at hull speed over flat water that varied from translucent 10 foot blues to my personal favorite 40 foot electric blue. We sailed into Salt Pond at 4:00 and anchored in the big harbor of Thompson Bay among the three other cruising boats already there.

We'll stay here in Salt Pond for a few days. We're headed for the Jumentos Cays (or Ragged Islands if you like) but will wait until after the strong NW and N winds being forecasted have left the area. The cays afford little shelter from the north. This is a fine place to hang out for a few days and has excellent protectoin from the NW and N. We may even rent a car to see parts of this island I've never befre gotten to.