16:05N 83:25W

 

We left the Hobbie Cays after breakfast....waiting for the sun to be high enough so we could pick our way out through the coral with David on lookout up the mast.  These waters are pretty much uncharted so it’s all eyeball navigation which can be scary at times.  The Hobbie Cays were a great stopover – we spent yesterday snorkelling on several reefs that surround the islands which all went very well until I spotted a small black shark from the tender.  All snorkelling and swimming off!!  Didn’t bother David who kept on snorkelling and persuaded me back in the water when he came across a rock full of lobster.  We’d been told by American cruisers that we’d see lobsters “crawling on the bottom” in the ABCs, Los Roques and Las Aves and, despite looking hard, only ever saw one.  So it was a surprise and delight to see these crawly crustaceans peeping out of holes and some bold ones coming right out onto the seabed.  The minute David tried to catch them though they were back in their hole quick as a flash.

 

It was just as well his efforts were fruitless as we didn’t need any more lobster on Bandit – we’ve had it grilled and hot for dinner, cold with red pepper ailoli for lunch, in a fresh tomato pasta and in between times we’ve had fish chowder and fish burgers with the mahimahi David caught.  Today for a complete change we’ve got hamburgers with meat on the menu.  The fishing line is out again though – David being spurred on by hearing Australian boat Eye Candy caught an 18kg marlin yesterday!

 

We’re sailing in 10 knots of wind from behind right now although it is forecast to get up to 15 later today.  We’re flying the coloured sail and there was a distinct lack of swearing when we hoisted it so we must be improving our technique.  A mile or so behind us is 50ft American cat Puma with George and Candice on board.  We met them in Providencia and had drinks on board Puma last night.  Being on a catamaran is like living in an apartment - so much space with living areas all on the same level.  Just as well we don’t like cats or we would have a serious case of boat envy!  They’re also heading to Guanaja so is good to have company although we suspect they will be much faster than us once the wind picks up.

 

Only a week left until we have to be at the mouth of the Rio Dulce for high tide.  The river is 6ft and we draw 6ft7ins.  The high tide gives us a few extra inches but it will be a worrying time until we are safely across the bar and into the river.  There are local fishermen on standby to take a halyard and haul you over, but we don’t want to resort to that unless it is absolutely necessary. 

 

It’s 140mls to go to Guanaja so we should be there around lunchtime tomorrow.