Two Friendly Potcakers

Stage 3 Turks & Caicos – Sapodilla Bay to South Side Marina: 21 Jun 09

Whilst trying to find somewhere to check in, our trusty Cap’n found a small marina in Cooper Jack Bight where we could refuel, re-water and do our washing.  There was a large IGA nearby to take care of reprovisioning, Customs came to us and a Dive shop worked out of the marina.  And they had 24/7 internet!  SOLD!  We’ll have 3 nights please.

Park your boat here Mister...

It was time to treat ourselves after our 5 day slog.  The South Side Marina is cruiser-friendly, even if their channel was somewhat hair-raising.  Five feet noted Cap’n Chaos on the way in.  Little did he know that our depth sounder would register 4.7’ on the way out!!!  We have a draft of 5.5’.  Technically, we needed roller skates fitted to our keel to make it into our berth….

Lunch with Bob

Our host Bob had a Sunday lunch date arranged at the Bay Bistro Restaurant and we were invited.  The open air restaurant overlooked the famed Grace Bay Beach - miles and miles of silky, white sand and endless turquoise.  We looked out for Jojo, the resident protected dolphin, but as it was Sunday, he must have been in Church.  We did meet Fred however, who runs a horse-riding business further down the beach.  He had spent his morning giving his lovely charges a teeth cleaning session.  You learn all sorts of things when you travel.

A "Get out of My Hair Day" at last!

Cap’n booked himself a dive trip.  Incredibly, the Banks average about 12’ of the clearest turquoise waters over a platform of coral reefs and islands.  On the edge, they instantly drop into the deepest of trenches.  Diving these areas is called “diving the wall”.  Himself had a day of two wall dives out from West Caicos, which he enjoyed immensely, seeing a huge leopard ray, which had a little school of remoras swimming with it.  He also saw the only crayfish in the Caribbean Sea!  Yes, it is out of season – but it seems they’ve all gone somewhere on holidays too!  The crays, tuna, mahi mahi and bonito, in fact any edible fish, have all left the building – we’ve not seen any at all!

 GS had a peaceful day working madly on catching up with internet chores.  Isn’t skype a wonderful thing?  Best of all, she got to meet Effie and Gemma, two potcakers who had taken up residence at the marina and now almost owned it!  

Potcake is the name given to a stray or homeless dog/animal on the islands.  Gemma was missing her owner, the marina manager who was away on holidays, so she set about making herself very comfortable for the night on board WJ3, all meals included!  Who could blame her?  We lit our barbecue and shared (with Gemma who insisted!) the best, freshest food we’d had since leaving home.  Then tucked her into bed, as you would too!

From: Sapodilla Bay, TCI Lat/Long:21 44N 72 17W Date/Time: 21/6/09: 0730

To: South Side Marina, TCI Lat/Long:21 45N 72 13W Date/Time:21/6/09: 0830

Time Taken: 4nm (1hrs) Distance(this year): 1042nm (239.5hrs)

Distance Total (since 2008): 1991nm (407.5hrs) Fastest Speed: Not noted**

Weather: Winds SW 10-15kts; Seas 2-4ft; SW swell

(**Good shelter from SW in the marina – normally the “quiet”side; milky green water due to ongoing resort & marina dredging nearby)