After Gary and Joy left we visited with some friends visiting Antigua from Colorado. Jim and Heather had a rental car and were kind enough to drive us to a beautiful beach where we enjoyed a picnic lunch, and we had drinks at Nonsuch Bay in a gorgeous infinity pool. We capped off the day with some local ice cream. We met them again another day at a fantastic Italian restaurant in Jolly Harbor. How do you spell lasagna??? Y.U.M! They also invited us to a 60th birthday party on the beach and I was surprised to find out that the party was for anyone born in 1957-- which I was! My birthday isn't until December, but I am happy to celebrate all year. I wrote my bucket list and was presented with a big 6O necklace with all the other 1957 babies. After that, we met with a few cruising friends on SV Alacazam for a raucous happy hour.

The next day, we sailed to Falmouth Harbor to take part in the festivities of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Lew and I took a bus to SHIRLEY HEIGHTS, an historic sight with stellar views of Antigua. We enjoyed the steel band and barbecue, and mostly hiking around the gorgeous area.

We were in awe of the classic sailing yachts pulling into the harbor. We explored Falmouth and English Harbor visiting with cruising friends, old and new. Lew was determined to find a classic boat needing crew. He went boat to boat chatting with the crew and before long, a young man, Wilson on the crew of Eros told him yes, they were short handed. Lew kept in touch with him over the next few days and was on the crew of Eros! Eros was built in 1939, and commissioned into the Royal Navy. Later Eros was purchased by Stavros Niarchos, a wealthy shipping magnate. In the 1990's Eros underwent a retrofit turning her into the Beauty she is today. Crewing on this classic was a dream come true for Lew. Lew had a very difficult job on the team, working the back stay. I am so proud of him going after his dreams. I took hundreds of photos from the fort when the boats left the harbor and was lucky enough to be invited out on a 60 foot catamaran with cruiser friends to go out to the start line and watch the race begin on the last day. It was great to get full sail photos of the race!I. I took so many more photos. Of course that turned into a full day cruiser party. Lew was tired after four days of racing, but the adrenaline was pumping and we attended the awards ceremony the last evening. Eros finished third in class and Lew and team Eros were on stage collecting their award. Wow, what a week in the memory bank!

Gary and Joy had a head start on the adventures in Antigua by arriving several days ahead of me. Lew has chronicled those adventures on his FB. Lew has sailed around the island of Antigua twice, and sailed to Barbuda twice, so he was our tour guide.

After I arrived in Jolly Harbor we visited a few bars with Gary and Joy. The next morning we sailed up to Deep Bay. We took a short hike around Deep Bay followed by swimming and snorkeling.

Early the next morning we had a superb sail to Barbuda! We found ourselves surrounded by large turtles. We spent two nights being astounded by the number of large turtle sightings at Cocoa Point. The four of us took a land and water tour led by Levi John. It was a fantastic island tour including a frigate sanctuary, scenic caves, and lobster lunch on Gary and Joys anniversary. We also purchased lobsters for dinner aboard Suzanne. We then moved around the island and spent two nights in Spanish Point for snorkeling with rays and walking the beach.

We left Barbuda early and had a very exciting motor sail back to Antigua with a birds eye view of a pod of whales breaching. Gary was at the helm did a great job of not running into the whales, backing up just in time. Lew and I have seen whales breaching before, but never this close to the boat!

Our next stop was anchoring in Nonsuch bay, Antigua. The Harmony restaurant was closed, but we found provisions at a convenience store at a lovely resort in Nonsuch Bay.

Needing serious provisions, we arose early and headed for Falmouth. After provisioning, We walked over to English Harbor and saw many amazing boats! We spent quite a while in the museum there. We learned about the interesting history of the island and the colorful life of Admiral Nelson. We took an exciting hike to breathtaking views. After two nights anchored in Falmouth, we headed back to Jolly Harbor.

We enjoyed a few happy hours and watched the sunset many times. It wasn't all sunsets and beverages. We played the card game of Golf several times, and Gary practiced his shuffling. There was also a rousing game of Mexican train, a cruisers favorite.

We also ran into friends Richard and Rowena, on s/v Galene and arranged happy hour at the Crow's Nest. We met their charming daughter and son in law and enjoyed the evening. We spent Christmas in Bequia a few years back, and it was great to catch up with my noodling coach, Rowena, and Rum connoisseur, Richard.

It was Gary and Joy's last night, so we finished the evening at another beach bar, the Castaways. We enjoyed a spectacular view of the gorgeous final sunset with great company. We miss you, Gary and Joy!

Never get tired of this scenery

Entering Les Trois D-Ilets, Martinique, an array of iron art greeted us.

After a long respite helping the get my Dad back in fighting shape, he is feeling much better and the blog resumes. This photo was taken last summer at yet another memorable CYCT cruise.

It is always awesome to sail under the Narrows, trying to predict the best place and time to gain the most speed...