S/V Koinonia Weekly Sailing Log - Memorable Days in Spanish Wells, Bahamas (May 15th - May 21st, 2024)

Highlights this week:  spending our final days in Spanish Wells with Amber’s parents; an amazing excursion; attending the annual conference at the Gospel Chapel; “see you soon” to wonderful friends in Spanish Wells.

Wed May 15 - met up at the beach house Amber’s parents rented to join them for breakfast, then the big girls found a ladder and picked coconuts in the front yard.  Went to the Snack Vault for lunch, then went to Pinder’s to reserve the water ferry ride to the airport on Saturday. Picked up some squid at the bait shop and did some fishing off the dock. Mark caught a grey snapper and we caught a few small Nassau Grouper, but threw the grouper back. Breakfast for dinner back at the beach house.

Thu May 16 - breakfast, then spent most of the day grilling and prepping to host lots of folks, including some brothers and sisters from the Gospel Chapel in Spanish Wells, at the beach house. Tommy and Tracy of SV Sailin Shoes co-hosted the party. Tommy did the bulk of the grilling and cooked his famous ribs and a large pork shoulder, the latter provided by the Wenger Family. All told, we had 26 people and enough food to feed an army.  It was an enjoyable evening.

Fri May 17 - went out on a half day charter with “Crazy Roy” Pinder, owner/operator of North Eleuthera Excursions (highly recommend). Roy was a  fantastic host and an entertaining guy who also loves the Lord.  We petted sea turtles, fed sting rays, hunted for sand dollars on a massive white sandbar, and went snorkeling.  It was a memorable day.  Went to eat at “Shipyard” for a nice going away dinner for Mark and Paula’s last evening in Spanish Wells; saw the SpaceX launch from the porch of the restaurant. Went to eat at “Papa’s Scoops” for dessert. Got back to the boat and learned Ben’s grandmother fell and broke her right leg; she is 95.

Sat May 18 - hot and still outside today; thankful for air conditioning. Got up and helped Amber’s parents clean out the beach house and transfer food items to the boat; saw them off from the water taxi dock at Pinder’s, then went to the Gospel Chapel to attend the annual conference and Mike Attwood spoke. After having dinner on the grounds, Ben met with a brokerage client, then checked weather and decided to delay departure until Wed due to lack of wind. Tommy helped Ben go fill up our Jerry jugs with diesel to top up the boat. Got showers and went back to church for the evening service. Larry Price spoke, then supper on the grounds after, then back to the boat.

Sun May 19 - worship at the Gospel Chapel for communion and morning worship service. Freddy Pinder delivered the message.  Amazing dinner of roast beef round on the grounds after the service with all the fixings.  Checked weather after the 3pm update, then took naps.  Back to the Gospel Chapel for the evening service and dinner.

Mon May 20 - Amber woke up with a migraine; Ben made coffee for Amber and got her meds, then he and the girls attended the morning worship service on the last day of the conference at the Gospel Chapel in SW. Dinner on the grounds, then went home to check on Amber and bring her a plate of food. Thankfully she was doing much better.  Checked weather and looks like we will leave on Wed or Thu to stage to cross the Gulf Stream on Friday.  Went to the final service of the conference at the Gospel Chapel; wonderful service and supper on the grounds, followed by singing around the tables.

Tue May 21 - started cleaning up to get ready to get underway.  Ben changed the filter in the Racor, then he and Tommy filled the Jerry jugs one last time.  A buddy boat from the boat yard in St Martin, SV Curtiseas, arrived in Spanish Wells, so we hung out on SV Koinonia for a few hours catching up and letting the kids play; they have four girls. Incredible supper at Jason and Latoya Wenger’s home; we were joined by their son Isaiah, Tommy and Tracy from SV Sailin’ Shoes, Crippy, Romana, Romana’s sister Rose, their daughter Grace, and a brother from the Gospel Chapel named Loxley.  Amazing food and fellowship with friends.  The Wengers took us back to the boat and we gave hugs all around. Ben pickled the watermaker and we got the boat ready for an early morning departure.

God Bless

S/V Koinonia