05/04/2012
After a full day of rain I thought I would just show you some pics
Montserrat & Anguilla
05/02/2012, Road Bay, Anguilla BWI
Presently sitting on anchor - the last drop we will make on this voyage - in Anguilla and were able to find a WiFi connection reachable in the cockpit which is pretty lucky as the WirieAp has a little problem that we decided could wait to be rectified once we returned.
We arrived in Road Bay after an overnight sail from Montserrat. Thinking it was going to take 17hrs we dropped anchor in 14hrs. I would like to say it was due to my fine sail trimming but I did not touch a thing while on watch. Kudos to Captain Jim!
Backing up - Montserrat is well with the stop. There was only one other boat @ anchor with us (well a cataraman showed up at dusk and left at daybreak so we are not counting her) and fortunately they had not done an island tour yet so we joined them (Jon & Dianna s/v Scooby II form Germany) along with our guide Sam Sword on Monday. Basically what everyone wanted to see was Portsmouth and similar areas of the volcanic devastation. The only words to describe it come from someone else " a modern day Pompei" except only 19 persished on Montserrat. Please note the captions on the pictures as they explain the scene/shot better than just seeing what you think you see. It is amazing that the island has gone from 13,000 people and presently has approx 4500 due to folks relocating. 75% of homes were destroyed as Portsmouth was the major area of people and businesses.
The volcano is still active as we were able to actually see steam/sulphur rising while viewing from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (which has a great informative 20minute video to watch). It reminded us of the fact that we smelled suphur the night we passed the leeward side as we sailed back down to Dominica in early April as well as the weather report stating earthquake activity in that area. It would also explain why we have yet to see the top of Montserrat anytime we have sailed passed. With that being said, I could se why so many have fled as it would be hard for someone to decide to build a business on the island with the risk that it may blow again.
The northern side is full of new homes and businesses - a museum, a cultural center and plans of a marina complex. Road construction is going on and the area is very green. We stopped at a spring along the side of the road and it was the best tasting water we have had in a few weeks. I wish I had brought along the gallon jug that was sitting on the boat. Our guide said that many of the springs sprung after the volcano erupted and that the islanders all have spring water directly in their homes.
The guys set out on a 2tank dive with Doug while I sewed the flag (again), did some laundry and was able to clean the interior of our "home" which is easier while they are away. Maybe they were shallow enough to get some pictures to enjoy.
Happy 22nd Birthday to our son Ches!
WAHOO!!
04/28/2012, GreenIsland, Anitgua
Charm III finished the Regatta taking 2nd place in their class and received the Spirit of Tradition Award due to their late night hours replacing the bowsprit from their Day 2 collision. Congratulations!
We left Falmouth Weds morning and had a pleasant sail up to Jolly Harbor for the night. Most people drive to the grocery store, we sailed. Provisioning for the next two weeks is complete. Well, maybe we will pick up a few things along the way. I would like to advise anyone headed there - drop anchor vs a mooring ball as the mosquitos were not enjoyable.
Thursday morning we had a quickie internet opportunity and not sure when we will again so these words may be days earlier. The fuel dock/marina offered free Google services - Thank you for gmail!
Once leaving the fuel dock we headed south to the south eastern part of Antigua - Green Island. Along the way the fishing line was out and Stephen reeled in a tuna not worth keeping so it was thrown back in to live another day. Once we turned the corner of Anitgua it was sailing dead into the wind as well as seas hence Captain Jim engaged the "iron jenny". Moving right along another bite on the line. Both guys jumped back there where Stephen took over (I pulled back on the throttle but evidently to much.!?) and reeled in our first Wahoo! Not being a big fish eating person it was the best of the three kinds we have caught. We had enough to share with the boat next door and a dinner for three in the freezer.
We are sitting on a mooring ball where the only thing that separates us from the Atlantic Ocean is a reef. Very similar to the Tobago Cays except this location only has about 20 boats and is filled with kite surfers. There are anywhere from 2-8 flying most of the day.
The night time/morning rain washed off the much accumulated salt we received on our beat here and today's snorkel was enjoyable. Stephen spotted a rather large crab and of course spent some time coaxing him out of his hole. All pics in Green Island gallery are by him (or me taking them of him) - he is becoming quite the photographer.
Saturday morning we will depart this beautiful sunrise location back to Falmouth to check out and on to Monserrat - the volcano island and inspiration for Jimmy Buffet's so named song.
04/24/2012
Check out the Regatta pics -
Antigua Classics Regatta
04/22/2012, Falmouth, Antigua
We arrived in Falmouth on Weds to watch the Antigua Classics Regatta. This is a showcase of schooners built in the early 1900s as well as newer versions with the same old look. Let me tell you they are BEAUTIFUL. I would not want to varnsh and polish the woodwork as there is a plenty. We met the owner of Dorade and learned of its illustrous history and the guys were able to get on a boat for all four days of racing. They are so happy and learning so much much as part of the crew of Charm III. I will have to include the history of this vessel later as I do NOT want to give you wrong information. I do know that one of the crew, a young by from Anquilla, is looking at attending College of Charleston - one of Stephen's choices. Small world!
Charm III finished 1st in their class on Friday. They had a great start on Saturday only to be part of a collision and had to drop out. A new bowsprit was reattached and they headed out once again Sunday. I look forward to hearing good news and watching them as part of the Parade of Boats that will occur shortly.
Oh yea, yesterday I was privileged to be invited aboard m/v Bodacious and enjoyed the racing from literally in the middle of it all. It was awesome to see these beautiful vessels so graceful in the water whether they were 50ft or 150ft in length - Rebecca, Firefly heade to head most of the way, Godspeed from Annapolis, a number from Carriacou, Eileen, Old Bob, Athos, ,Saphandrea Spirited Lady and her hot pink spinnaker - okay, so that part was not classic but a beautiful boat nonetheless. The list goes on. The surreal thing is these boats can be seen in Yachting World Magazine, Sail World,.....
Hopefully I will get some pictures during the parade today as , YUP - I forgot to bring it yesterday when I "had the best seats", and be able to post for your enjoyment.
Finally!
04/19/2012, Falmouth Harbor, Antigua
The first 5weeks of our journey we averaged 3 tuna a week. We ate "fresh from the sea tuna" as well as had a stock in the freezer. All we have caught since our time in Martinique was grass and most recently the proverbial "One that got away!" Yup, on our way to Iles des Saintes we had one on the line and as Jim was trying to slow the boat down, Stephen trying to tighten the line it kept going out until it snap and all was gone. We know it was not a fish pot as the water was at least 600ft deep. The funny thing was Stephen just went out to the line to check it and let it out a little more. Timing was great but the 40lbs line did not hold. We are going to say it was a 60lb tuna.
We bought new line @ 75lb weight but only have 300ft of it so we would have to be quick once something bit. Well, about fours hours into our passage to Antigua we got a bite. I jumped from my position while Jim slowed the boat & called for Stephen to get on deck. No worries, I had it under control as it was not hard. I told Stephen I thought we must have just caught some grass but low and behold we caught a Mahi Mahi. Evidently they give up once they get hooked until they get to the back of the boat. It was a she and she was delicious.
At anchor in Falmouth Harbor as it is Day 1 of the Antigua Classics Yacht Regatta - singlehanded racing. We plan to go ashore and tour Nelson's Dockyard and find laundry & provisioning locations. Friday we will probably find a spot on a hilltop to observe the boats while Saturday we have been invited aboard m/vBodacious to spectate amongst the vessels.
Latest Update: Jim & Stephen secured a crew position on one of the racing vessels - Charm III. guess I will hanging out alone for a few days:(
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