South African Armada on Manjack Cay!

Meandering slowly up the Abaco's we found another South African boat, Vagabund and heard our friends on Panache were in the area and heading our way with two other South African boats! We had a wonderful evening with Zach and Magdo on Vagabund. They told us a South African reunion was on the cards. The plan was to meet at the Manjack beach anchorage on the 31st May! This happened to be Republic Day! 

We met up with Vagabund and Panache at Tahiti Beach and we heard their friends from South Africa on Island Explorer were also on the way.

We had, in the meantime, discovered a boatyard here that could haul us out for anti fouling! marsh Harbour yard agreed to take us out first thing Tuesday morning as the Monday was a holiday here! The deed was done and went fairly smoothly with just a few shouts and screams! But all ended well and as promised they splashed us at 1700 hrs on the Friday 29th. We headed over to spend the night at Man o War Anchorage to start our sail north to Manjack the venue of the South African Armada in Bahamas!

Saturday arrived and we got a perfect wind, hoisted sails and four hours later we dropped sails and motored through North Manjack Cut. Anchored in the bay were seven South African boats, our boat made eight! It was incredible boats had come from all over. Our friends on Alleycat and Shiloh could not resist the call to party and had come all the way back up from Nassau!  

1. Rat Catcher from Gordon's Bay Yacht Club:)

2. Alleycat with Alan and Marita from Royal Cape Yacht Club

3. Shiloh with John and our honorary South African Holli!

4. Panache with Gideon and Bret from Zululand Yacht club, Richards Bay.

5. Khaya Moyà, with John and Shirley from Richards Bay 

6. Island Explorer with Doug and Ursula from Durban

7. Island Khaya with Riaan and Brenda from Durban

8. Vagabund with Zack and Magdo from Zululand

9. Leon and Wendy arrived on Sundy morning on a Motor boat they are delivering to USA! 

We had arrived just in time for a good 'Talking Heads' session and we all dinghyed over to the beach, dipped down into gin clear water with Sting Rays and fish between us listening to the laughter and chats! 

Sunday morning the dressing of the boats began! South African flags as well as sailing flags and bunting. They looked amazing! The picnic Braai area was dressed with flags and table cloths and the party was set to begin!

We actually had one pack of genuine Boerewors that was carefully braaied and cut into about 2 cm lengths so everyone got to sample it and drool! Pap tert, bean salads, braaivleis and much more was the main meal. The cooks had outdone themselves for pudding there was Melktert, Souskleitjies and bread pudding. The only regret, our stomachs were not bigger to pig out more on the Fare! 

As some us wallowed in the water stroking and feeding the resident Sting Ray others played Boules on the beach!

What and incredible day to be remembered forever! Already there is talk of another on next year!