The Berry Islands are comprised of 30 cays located almost 2/3 of the way to Nassau from Bimini. The western side of the islands are fringed by the Great Bahama Bank and the eastern side by the deep water in Northwest Providence channel and the Tongue of the Ocean. We're headed today for the northern most island, Great Harbor Cay, which is also the most populated of the Berry's chain, pop. around 500. It has a nice protected harbor, which we will need as a cold front is expected to pass through tomorrow.
Just before nightfall Coleen got out the glow sticks. I had a necklace and bracelets, Coleen some super funny eyeglasses and earring and the dog a neat little ring for his collar. We have a ships rule that we are always clipped into our harnesses after dark, and no one leaves the cockpit without permission - including me. We had a makeshift dinner of peanut butter crackers as neither of us really felt like eating. Coleen sighted land 7:30 and gave a big "Land Ho!" shout. My crew (Coleen and Prince) fell asleep on me about 2 hours before we reached the island and I had a tough time waking them up to help with the anchoring
We made landfall around 10 p.m. I was reminded once again that I really don't like arriving somewhere unfamiliar after dark. The last few miles were rather tense. In the Bahamas the markers are rarely in place as charted and this was no exception. Thank goodness for the chart plotter as all the lights onshore made it difficult to sort things out. After little to no wind all day, the wind piped up just about the time I was dropping the hook, and of course from an unfavorable direction. I ended up dropping the hook 3 times before I found a spot just the right distance from the other boats and only then because DJ talked me through it on the VHF radio. I was super tired and had a quick glass of wine before dropping into my bunk. Unfortunately it was another bumpy anchorage but I managed to get some sleep.
Today we're headed into the Great Harbour Marina to clear customs. After that who knows.... nothing planned. It will be nice to be on land after 48 hours at sea.