Around The Island, Start To Finish

George Town   

A few clouds in the sky gave the dawn sky a different look this morning. Every day is a little bit different, whether referencing the sunrise or the daily activities here in Elizabeth Harbour. Our current stay has coincided with the events of the 2023 George Town Cruisers Regatta. The annual event began on February 22 and will close on March 6. Today's big activity was the Round Stocking Big Boat Race which began at 10:00. Barry and I completed a few more boat projects before the horn blasts signaled the start of the 19-mile race around Stocking Island. Crossroads is anchored not far from the start/finish line and I had a great view of the wide variety of boats as they passed alongside us, heading north on the clockwise route. There were catamarans and monohulls, some flew spinnakers, some had high-performance kevlar sails, some were just regular cruising boats out for a good time.  

After lunch we took the dinghy over to our favorite trailhead and once again crossed over to the ocean side. We were just coming off low tide and the beach was wide and clean. The regatta boats passed by on their southbound/upwind leg, all tacking in search of a more favorable wind angle. The breeze was a bit stronger today and created larger waves breaking on the shore. 

The walk was another beautiful communion with nature. The sand was undisturbed and patches of small shells provided an opportunity to stop and hunt for treasures. Small fish swam in the shallow tide pools. The dark fish shapes are actually their shadows. The fish themselves are camouflaged, their coloring matching that of the sand. 

Following our beach walk, we stopped at Chat N Chill to see what was happening there. We returned to Crossroads and watched for the first boats to cross the finish line. The majority were either wing and wing or flying a spinnaker. I received good news that my replacement paddleboard was delivered (albeit to North Carolina). I packed up my defective board and returned it to storage, bummed that I won't be able to enjoy that "alone time" this year. I retired to the flybridge and read as the sun set on another full and interesting day here in George Town.