Breeze On

Yesterday George dinghied to the shore of Ragged Island and rode in the back of a truck—along with Bill and Ralph, with Leslie in the cab—to Duncan Town. Since we may be here another ten days or so we thought it might be a good idea to buy more gas for the dinghy outboard and portable generator.  Phicol, a resident of Duncan Town, has a business selling gas and diesel (in addition to his job at the power company.) He keeps fuel in barrels and siphoned it into the gas jerry can George took with him. While Phicol drove around town George could see the progress that has been made rebuilding Duncan Town after the category 5 Hurricane Irma ravaged it in 2017. It was quite an adventure. Duncan Town is a small settlement which seemed to have more goats than people when we last visited it about 5 years ago. There are now 72 residents.  Phicol filling the jerry cans.  Phicol and his wife, Erica, also have a bonefishing lodge and bar in addition to a few other businesses.  Cla...

As promised, here are the photos George took while snorkeling yesterday.  A large school of blue tangs swimming in a trench between two high—about 15’—coral heads.  Gray Angelfish, intermediate stage.  Fan coral.  The next the photos show a curious juvenile Angelfish.  It followed George for quite a while.  A large—at least 3 feet high—brain coral.  Rope sponge (I think.) Nassau Grouper. I am fascinated that the darkness of the stripes changes depending on the background. They are much lighter when the fish swim over sand.  Parrotfish.  Spotted Trunkfish in middle of photo.  A large school of silversides. 

We celebrated an early New Year’s Eve on the beach at sunset last evening around a fire with lobster salad, conch fritters, brownies, and Prosecco. It was lovely.  Today we went snorkeling with Ralph and Leslie on Now and Zen, and Marjane and Bill on Maranatha. They showed us the best places to snorkel on the southern end of Little Ragged Island. It was the first time George and I have snorkeled this winter. Prior to this George and I have been a bit like Goldilocks—“The water is too cold,” “There isn’t enough sun,” “It is too windy.” Today the conditions were just right. Marjane caught several lobsters and shared two with us. We had them for dinner and they were delicious.  Snorkeling photos to follow in a later post.  Toasting the New Year on the beach, courtesy of Ralph.  Mangrove roots on the sandbar.  Perfect empty tiny conch shell.