Another Day in Little Farmers Cay
Amberisle2
Valt & Sandy
Mon 25 Feb 2013 15:12
We moved to the harbor formed by Little Farmers and several islands to the east. It was very protected. Although dotted with mooring balls owned by local Bahamians, there was plenty of room to anchor. We were closer to the settlement and to other boaters. On VHF we heard Terry Bains complaining that several boats left without paying their $20 per night mooring fees.
Roosevelt Nixon, owner of the Little Farmers Yacht Club was our first stop. He was happy to see us, remarking that he saw our boat anchored off Oven Rock and wondered when we'd come inside. After catching up on things, Roosevelt brought out an old family photo he'd found in the government archives circa 1910. His great-grand father was one of three Nixon brothers. The brothers were white Bahamians descended from British Loyalists who left America during the American Revolution. The brothers came to Little Farmers Cay and married black Bahamian women, soon raising a passel of kids. What a surprise. Roosevelt says these Nixons are somehow related to Former President Richard Nixon.
When questioned, Roosevelt refused to give his age, but we were able to estimate from his stories that he is 79 years old. Still running the yacht club, still putting out meals, tending bar. He does hire a cook, but most of the operations are done by him and his wife. Ah, the rewards of a good life.
Reluctantly we left the yacht club. Cruisers were gathering on the beach for happy hour. It was a small group. One young couple had a 2 year old son and 6 month old daughter. Both were very smart and very calm kids, as boat children usually are. 2 year old Josh chatted happily and kept us laughing. He especially liked us to squat down with him by the campfire. Guess we were more his size then. It was hard to imagine the hardship of living on a boat with two babies in diapers. Mother said one entire sleeping bunk is for disposables.
This funny little harbor has strong tidal currents and with light winds, all the boats swing in different directions according to their depth and weight. This makes a mish- mash of boats, some swinging too close, then switching around to dance far away. All facing different directions. Normally the boats point bow into the wind.
We will stay another night in this magical place.