WINDY West End

When we arrived at West End, the weather forecast to move into the Abacos wasn't too favorable for the following days, so we've been hunkered down at Old Bahama Bay Marina (a very protected basin) with a bunch of other boats.

Virginia Dare in slip C-29

There is a nice resort here, too

Our mast is the shorter (farther away) mast of those two

Fully protected basin

Yesterday's winds were sustained at 30 kts (34 mph) and gusting to 45 kts (52 mph).  The wind whipped up and brought rain while we had friends over for drinks yesterday afternoon.  Thankfully, David, Jim, and I were able to adjust the dock lines for the increasing wind and changing tide.

Wind speed

Short video - rain coming in sideways

There's a nice laundry facility here.  I found this giant moth on the wall by the washing machine.  Its wingspan was about 6"!

Extra large moth in the laundry room

A lady comes around the docks every other day selling Bahamian bread.  David bought white and cinnamon raisin the first time she stopped by.  It makes great French toast!  Yesterday, he bought ANOTHER loaf from her!!  I have no idea what we're going to do with all this bread.

We even had a small bottle of maple syrup hiding in the cupboard :)

The wind is still howling today (~20-25 kts) so we took a walk out the jetty of the entrance channel.

Looking west toward Florida

There's a helipad out there although we haven't seen any helicopters.

NOAA weather station, West End, Grand Bahama Island

A stout little sailboat anchored in the entry basin

Conch shells everywhere

Bright little crab on a dull gray rock

More conch shells

The resort and beach

There's a little beachside restaurant in the distance.  They make very tasty piña coladas :)  We had lunch there with our new friends Jim and Nancy from Keokuk. They're from Petoskey, Michigan.......small world!

Say piña colada!