We sailed down the Exuma chain, first inside to Galliott Cay then outside to Stocking Island before sailing across Exuma Sound to Long Island. We left Georgetown to the hundred or so boats already there for the winter and spent only the night at anchor before heading for less popular locations. I've found that in nearly all things, the more popular something is the less it appeals to me. That apples to stores, books, movies, restaurants, beers and anchorages. There's probably a name for this condition and, whatever that word is, it's probably not considered a compliment. That's fine with me.

We're now in Thompson Bay anchored just off Long Island Breeze. Though there are few boats here, only two others when we arrived, Mike and Jackie are getting plenty of business for their resort. Hardings supermarket is now officially closed. Hillside is so much better that we won't miss Hardings. (We anchored near Hillside yesterday before moving over here.) I like Hillside even more than Exuma Markets in Georgetown. Tomorrow we'll drop in on our friends Dawn and Mike at the house they built here a couple of years ago. Some of you may have met them cruising on their Island Packet Anahata.

From here we have many choices. We could head west then southwest to the Jumentos, or west then northwest back to the Exumas, or west then southeast to south Long Island, or north to Hog Cay then east to Conception, or north to Cat Island, or north then south to Clarencetown. They're all good choices and we're delighted to have them.

Each Christmas season, usually in the Bahamas, I play my Christmas CDs. As you'd expect from the above, my Chrsitmas music does not include Frosty the Snowman or even Silent Night. Gregorian Christmas chants dominate. The words may be Catholic and in Latin but the music is as eternal as the stars overhead. How else would man, before language, gotten through the longest nights of the year without those eternal rhythms that even the stars seem to know? If you've ever sat in a dark cockpit under a sky full of stars you've heard those ancient rhythms in your mind.

Merry Christmas to all, sailors and non sailors alike.