Yesterday afternoon we had a spectacular rainbow come up over the anchorage, even though we’d only had a few drops of rain from intermittent puffy clouds. Traditionally, the rainbow comes after the rain, but in our case, preceded it. The skies opened up after dark several times, clearing all the salt from C Ghost’s decks, and causing us to jump up from our cockpit berths and close the cabin and much of the outside canvas. Tommy got a few drips on his head from a zippered seam, but we plugged that with a towel and slept more.

This morning we did some tasks in preparation for tomorrow’s planned departure from Black Point. Paula cleaned and placed items in their “stowed for sailing” positions, rearranged the refrigerator to avoid items rolling around in there while under sail, and baked two carrots breads to serve as snacks for the next day or so. Tommy cleaned the scum line, the area beneath the stuffing box and tightened the alternator belt.

Paula divined that Tommy was thinking how nice it would be if we had dinner at Lorraine’s Café so Paula wouldn’t have to cook on our last night in this anchorage. He agreed that he was indeed thinking just that, and Paula called and made reservations for 6pm.

We spent the remainder of the morning and afternoon reading, corresponding by email, watching boats come in and leave the harbor, talking about planned projects to accomplish once we return to St. Augustine, and napping.  Actually, we talked about whether we felt guilty about not being busier on some of these anchorage days. Tommy said “No” (Catholic), Paula said, “Not too much” (Jewish).

When we got to the Settlement, it was bustling. There was a crowd on the dock all looking down at the water as we pulled up in Poltergeist. There were two big nurse sharks and a couple rays swimming around in the shallows. Because the wind had died down there weren’t any ripples in the water and it was absolutely clear, way better than any aquarium (today’s featured picture). Young men and women were returning by boat from day jobs at marinas on other Cays, and cruisers were getting water and doing laundry.

A boisterous discussion/argument was proceeding in the street amongst a group of men and women. It appeared good-natured, but impossible to follow in the island dialect. A blood-on-the-courts dominoes game was in full swing and the clacking of tiles, groans of the losers and shouts of the winners could be heard all down the street. Even the animals seemed excited. Gulls screeched, little plovers flew and warbled, and the roosters were all crowing. Only the goats were quiet, but their ears twitched constantly.

At Lorraine’s we were handed menus, but advised there was only fish and conch (supply boat comes Thursday). That was fine with us. Paula had blackened fish, Tommy had fried fish, and the last serving of red beans and rice. We both had green salad and corn on the cob. We also met another sailing couple, from Texas, and shared tales of anchors, and watermakers, current and good anchorages. We exchanged boat cards and expect we’ll run into each other again.

As we dinghied back, sun was setting, and a group of children on a catamaran were blowing the conch and clowning. Time to review the pictures we took today, write the blog, and have carrot bread with butter.