The Browns' Mantra: Family and Regatta Time in Elizabeth Harbour

Yesterday morning, I did one more load of laundry and polished all the one-deck stainless railings and fittings from the stern up to the front of the pilot house and did final tidying prior to my sister Beth Ann and her husband's Rich's arrival in the afternoon. Peter and I got ourselves ready to go ashore, launched the dinghy and went to shore on Stocking Island for lunch at the Chat 'n' Chill and the 2:00 Regatta Variety Show. The show drew a crowd of hundreds, and the performers were amazing, including singers, intrumentalists, comedians, skit performers, and more.

Crowd gathering for the Variety Show

Bagpipe music opening the show

The two finalists in the hairiest back contest

Singers from Canada

The Skeleton Dancers

We were so well entertained that we almost forgot about Beth Ann and Rich and didn't leave the Chat 'n' Chill until we got a text that they were on their way to Georgetown from the airport. We raced across the Harbour and got to the Exuma Market dinghy dock and on shore just as their taxi pulled up. We haven't been together since Christmas of 2021, so it is great to be able to spend a week together in this beautiful place.

Beth Ann pleased to have a welcoming sign, with the taxi driver

The ride across the choppy harbor was bumpy and wet. Beth Ann and I were in the bow, and we were totally soaked and needed to a total change of clothes when we got to Mantra. Then we went to shore and got drinks and fries at the Chat 'n' Chill, sitting at a table on the beach with our feet in the sand until sunset.

Back on Mantra, we sat in the pilot house enjoying the balmy weather and watching the anchor lights come on one by one to make an array of brilliance in the night sky. No one was hungry, so dinner was chips and dips. Then we played a game of pinochle before bedtime just after 9:00.

This morning has been, as usual, leisurely. We are watching the Regatta's in-harbor races and enjoying the sunshine and turquoise waters. In just a while, we will do some snorkeling and later will go to town for lunch and shopping and a Regatta party at the Peace and Plenty at 4:00.