It has been about 10 days since being in a marina and as it was time to farewell Paul and Deb, it was perfect to check into the very modern Jolly Harbour Marina. It is always hotter in a marina as it is difficult to capture the sea breezes but with the aircon comfort down below decks, we are able to work on the various jobs that need to get done in marinas.
This time it was the washing machine that refused to empty water after the first load was put through and additionally, the gas alarm refused to stop unless all for four points of safety were switched off. Both of these problems came to our attention only when we berthed, so as with the whole sailing saga, great flexibility and adaptability are required when priorities change. After an extremely difficult process of diagnosing the washing machine problem, it was realised that the pump had broken.....yet another pump! We located the instruction manual for the machine down behind the appliance, which at least provided some diagrams on where hidden screws were located. The gas alarm basically is advising that there is a gas leak somewhere in the system and of course, gas leaks have to be taken very seriously on board a vessel. It is probably a wet gas sensor that is faulty, after our rough passage.
Trilogy was given a thorough clean once more and she truly looks wonderful when all the salt is washed off and the stainless steel is gleaming. Below decks, wiping all the timber work gets rid of finger prints and good old gumption is the best cleaning aid for everything else. We had a farewell dinner for Paul and Deb at the marina Pizzeria, and were joined by Adrian and Sam whom Paul had befriended. This couple are the skipper and caretakers of Brave Heart, a 75 foot schooner built in 1996 in Britain. When the owners come on board, it is expected that everything will be totally shipshape and ready for them to sail. Next morning, we were invited on board Brave Heart for a tour below decks and there was a sense of grandeur and stateliness, enhanced by the dark timber panelling and period furniture. Not that we could fully appreciate the beauty, as 'crew covers' were over all the furniture and carpets, which were only whipped off for the owners visits and then immediately replaced on their departure. All the above deck timber work was being varnished and there was an army of local guys painstakingly resurfacing all the timber on deck when we visited. The plan is that Brave Heart will take part in the Classics regatta which takes place in April in Antigua, so all preparations are in full swing.
With Paul and Deb's departure for New York, the crew busied themselves restocking food and wine supplies. Ros succumbed to her first Caribbean haircut, which turned out well. The odd thing was no music was playing in the salon, but a TV was blaring at me. American soapies were being aired, one about a sordid affair and the next about a young girl who had been sexually abused by a coach.....neither uplifting nor calming! Another client complained about the first one and the TV went off, but as soon as she departed, the TV was back on. As my hair was being cut, the hairdresser's eyes were glued to the screen!
We hired a car which was collected in the late afternoon and to finish the day, we drove 15 minutes from the marina for a swim at the most beautiful beach we have encountered so far, called Turner's Beach. As the sun spread out its last beams across the glimmering ocean, we bathed in the refreshing water and then photographed the irresistible sight. Back on board and showered, we felt very content with yet another day in this paradise. We headed to the Italian restaurant for a delicious dinner before ending our day.