Little Harbour, Great Abaco Island
May 20, 2014
When we awakened to a lesser amount of wind in our anchorage at Lynyard Cay, we decided to motor back to Sandy Cay to check the snorkeling opportunity there. Though the wind was less, the swells coming in from the ocean were larger than the previous day, making an undesirable water surface conducive to snorkeling.
Deciding to turn back south and motor to Little Harbour, at the lower end of Great Abaco Island, gave us the opportunity to revisit the small community. We had first visited Little Harbour with Ed and Cheryl in 2011.
Speaking of Ed and Cheryl, Gary and I had just reminisced that very morning about how we could not have had better mentors and guides as what they were during our first, introductory, trip to the Abaco Islands. Our second time going to the Abacos was in 2013 with the flotilla group of Gemini’s led by Jim and Deb. That was an awesome experience as well. We had the opportunity to go to a few different places than where we went in 2011, broadening our knowledge of the Abaco Islands. It seemed only fitting that Gary and I were meant to have the experience of touring the beloved islands this time on our own, being ever thankful to all who taught us about being successful navigators of the many cays of the Abacos.
Little Harbour was founded by Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Johnston, originally from New England. Their humble beginning at the harbor, included living in one of the limestone caves while they built their home.
Literature indicates Mr. Johnston built (my hunch is Mrs. J. didn’t just sit idly by and watch) a beachside home and studio where he produced “lost wax castings” in bronze. From the foundry they built in the 1950’s, their son Pete* (whom we met) still makes bronze castings today in the same manner. Though taught by his father, Pete reported he taught his father (good humor).
Pete, hard at work in the foundry, working on a fish sculpture
Out of three sons, Pete is the only one who remained in Little Harbour to carry on the family legacy of creating magnificent sculptures.
Inside Pete’s Gallery
Pete also has a pub/restaurant in Little Harbour, managed by his son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Heather, and their adorable son, Fletcher, who is 18 months old and runs the place. Of all the restaurants in the Abacos, this one has the best island ambience, with sand for floors, a ceiling of teeshirts hanging from the rafters, makeshift benches instead of bars tools, picnic tables instead of linen tablecloths and napkins, and an eclectic mix of stuff for decorations. We loved it! It reminded us of restaurants we frequented when we chartered sailboats in the British Virgil Islands. The food was good at Pete’s Pub too. We not only ate dinner there, we went back the next day for lunch and dined on coconut cracked conch for the first time. DELICIOUS!
Use a rake instead of a broom on these floors
Hallway to the restroom – love it!
Doors to the kitchen with fish shaped hinges and porthole windows
*After reading my script to him, Pete Johnston edited it and gave his verbal permission to post his picture and this blog. 5-21-14 JG