We did our best to leave but ultimately were pulled back, this time by the forces of nature. The nature of seasickness that is. We left on Tuesday with a 24 hour window, trying to run ahead of a strong cold front. The winds were as forecast if not a bit lighter clocking through the south and west, ideal for going SE. The problem was the seas, which were residual from the east at about 6 feet with a 7 sec period. As we were headed right into them, Nikita had a fair amount of action. Isabelle succumbed very early and vomited for about 1 hour, eventually bringing Rae Ann and Jake down with her. Mutiny was at hand so the captain turned the vessel around. Our plan was a 30 hour trip to the Turks & Caicos... for another day now. We left with 2 other boats, one sail and one power. The sail was also a family, with the same sea sickness issues. They elected to push on and made it safely, though told us via the radio that the seas actually got worse rather than better. All in all a good decision to turn around and wait for much calmer weather.
We have made the best of Clarence Town though, meeting up with another set of cruisers as well as our friends whom were on vacation. We snorkeled the Blue Hole and cliff jumped from about 30 feet into it. We also visited a very large cave formation with numerous bats, to the immense enjoyment of the kids.
It looks like by the end of the coming week we will get a period of lighter winds and more settled conditions, if so we will revert to our original plan of harbor hoping down to the Turks & Caicos rather than one long passage.
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