Diary of a Galley Wench

07 May 2016
23 April 2016
04 April 2016
22 March 2016
02 March 2016 | Scoop & Brew St Thomas
09 February 2016
26 January 2016 | Penns Landing Marina, Tortolla, BVI
04 May 2015
22 March 2015
19 February 2015
04 February 2015 | BVIs
26 January 2015 | Penn's Landing - East End Tortolla
26 April 2014
19 April 2014
09 April 2014
09 April 2014
08 April 2014 | St John
07 April 2014 | ended up in St John
26 March 2014 | BVIs
16 March 2014 | Penns Landing, Tortolla

Wings and Things

19 February 2015
A week on dry land is always rejuvenating for the soul. Maybe it was because it was being with family that made it so. Either way it was a treat to share in Ches’ Winging, meet some of his classmates and experience some of the things he has used in his training. 45min – 1hr in a night google demonstration which had us in a pitch black room. You could not see the person next to you at all and then you put up your googles ( I had a monocle) and voila! Next was some time in a simulator. I know I am his mother but he really knows what his is doing. Good food, made new friends (parents of fellow pilots) and a Mardi Gras parade to complete the week.Yes, I had a couple of days of sadness when I returned to the boat but the blue skies and wind in the sails cured it. There may be a picture or two in the gallery -
We have received guests from taxis to the marina, ferry docks or straight from the airport but today guests came to us from a cruise ship. Well, we could not actually approach the ship for a pick-up nor would they tender them to us so the plan was a tender trip to the Sand Bar Beach Club on Prickly in North Gorda Sound where Capt Jim picked them up. Poor folks were soaked by the time they got to the boat. Aboard came Pam & Paul with Paul’s cousin Stephen and his lovely wife Pauline.
Off we sailed to the Dogs for a snorkel, lunch and return sail back in time to get them aboard their cruise ship for their 5pm departure from the BVIs. To fill in the blanks – we stowed their gear for the day and all went into the cockpit. Going from 20ft+ of personal space down to less than 4ft/person the shifting of bodies took place to get the sails set. Once complete we all settled down for a great downwind sail with good conversation and storytelling.
We could not snorkel our first hope – George Dog – as all the mooring balls were full with the appearance they just got there. Off to Great Dog. The snorkel was fair as there was more rock than coral but there were fish! Pauline’s first ever snorkel ever and she did great! Fresh pineapple before the galley wenches (Pam and I) got sandwiches up top. Okay, not a cruise ship lunch but the scenery covered for that.
Jim got us going, being mindful of the time, and we sailed back. This time Paul took the helm. Pam and I being impressed with his ease @ the helm his reply was “it is like riding a bike”. I hope I get like that one day. A harbor cruise and then Pam picked up the mooring ball so we could all head into Saba Rock for an early cocktail and get a glimpse of the moray eel and the tarpin. Back to Prickly where they picked up the tender back to their “home” for the week. Their next stop – St. Barts. It was great having them aboard and hope this day trip was just as much fun as the beach bar-b-que they missed. It was for us!
Our evening continued with catching up with sailing friends that happened to be in North Sound. Morning brought us for a walk at the Bitter End. We took the left at the fork this time which proved to be a great decision - beautiful views. Moved the boat to anchor along Prickly where I dropped the paddle board in for a paddle. We then dinghied out to the reef for a snorkel. After a bit I decided to swim back to the boat. Tell me, how does one swim in a straight line with the shore line not straight and the boats ever swinging??? Jim returns in great spirits as he rescued 2 sharks and a squirrel fish from a fish pot. Should have stuck around and I could have videoed. He did take some pictures so check them out.
We hope to catch up with a few more sailing friends before we head over to the USVIs for our next guest – Stephen. WoopWoop
Comments
Vessel Name: MyDeere
Vessel Make/Model: Hylas 46
Hailing Port: Edenton, NC
Crew: Jim & Deanna Chesson
About:
Jim is the Captain of MyDeere and ready to embark on this first stage of living his dream of sailing around the world. Deanna, galley wench, is on board to provide nourishment, keep order and make sure Stephen fulfills his academic duties. [...]
Extra: We look forward to cruising the Caribbean for the next few months. Counting on each other in regards to maintaining the boat, overnight sails and exploring our surroundings; Trying new foods and learning to cook in a smaller space with limited ingredients; Whatever else life puts in our way!
Social:
MyDeere's Photos - Main
37 Photos
Created 9 February 2016
End of 2015 season in the Caribbean
32 Photos
Created 3 May 2015
50 Photos
Created 22 March 2015
19 Photos
Created 22 February 2015
From January to the DiMartinos and a bit of Winging
60 Photos
Created 16 February 2015
With Emery & Jonathan
32 Photos
Created 25 April 2014
6 Photos
Created 19 April 2014
St Maarten, Bucket Race, Anguilla
116 Photos
Created 7 April 2014
Okay, so more pics of underwater than above water. Land camera was McCarthy's
55 Photos
Created 26 March 2014
St John w Janet & Allen B
63 Photos
Created 14 March 2014
35 Photos
Created 26 February 2014
Pictures of underwater world are all done by Jim either on a snorkel or his 2 tank dive.
59 Photos
Created 23 February 2014
31 Photos
Created 17 February 2014
86 Photos
Created 8 February 2014
Pat & Wilson and some good snorkeling pics
64 Photos
Created 30 January 2014
getting started
6 Photos
Created 20 January 2014
a day after the rains
20 Photos
Created 4 May 2012
75 Photos
Created 2 May 2012
26 Photos
Created 28 April 2012
47 Photos
Created 24 April 2012
3 Photos
Created 19 April 2012
20 Photos
Created 17 April 2012
passage back to DOminica and tour day in the rainforest
59 Photos
Created 12 April 2012
34 Photos
Created 25 March 2012
32 Photos
Created 22 March 2012
57 Photos
Created 19 March 2012
13 Photos
Created 15 March 2012
19 Photos
Created 10 March 2012
11 Photos
Created 28 February 2012
from dinghy concert to the end
23 Photos
Created 26 February 2012
52 Photos
Created 23 February 2012
40 Photos
Created 16 February 2012
15 Photos
Created 12 February 2012
29 Photos
Created 6 February 2012
Photographer Jim
37 Photos
Created 4 February 2012
sharks and other wild life
26 Photos
Created 3 February 2012
11 Photos
Created 31 January 2012
Mayreau to Chatham, Union Island
25 Photos
Created 30 January 2012
31 Photos
Created 27 January 2012
the Pitons and Bequai
28 Photos
Created 22 January 2012
8 Photos
Created 29 December 2011
Our maiden voyage in New England
14 Photos
Created 28 December 2011