Robert & Alice Smith
The sail from Jolly harbor around the SW end of Antigua to Green Island was only 22 km or so. We had debated whether to sail to Nevis or to Green Island. On our first stop in Antigua several years ago we never made it to this cruiser's favorite. So this time it was load the dinghy on the fore-deck and anchor up by 0730.
The wind was E at 15 - 18 gusting 22, just perfect as we sailed along the western shoreline. Then rounding the corner by English Harbor it all changed as we had expected. Back into the trade winds and seas of six to eight feet right on the nose. As we buried LB's bow again and again I remembered I had forgotten to plug the chain pipe, so, we could expect to see water in the bilge. It only took a little over 3.5 hours to make the trip and after navigating into Nonsuch Bay and we were able to grab a mooring right off the beach, ah good ole Lucky Bird.
This place is just about perfect for cruisers, and as an added bonus, it's the play ground for kite surfers.
It's also a stopping off spot for mega-yachts. The day we arrived there were four yachts anchored in Nonsuch Bay ranging from 150 to over 300 feet. Quite a site.
For our project list, I'm still pondering the forward head having had some surprise messages from blog readers. Thanks guys. We also decided to continue lightening up LB's wood interior from a previous owner having stained our beautiful teak. Sanding and more sanding as we had done in the aft cabin. We attacked the port side salon cabinets and book shelves. Labors of love for a few hours prepping, varnishing, re-sanding and a second coat. It may need a third, go figure.
Yesterday we dinghied around to Rickets Bay and found this gorgeous, very secluded beach facing the open ocean protected by a barrier reef. All the Caribbean water colors, bleached white sand, water about 83 F, no waves, bright sun, air temp about the same as the water and the wind. Yup, we were now on the SW corner of Green and the wind she was blowing. It was far warmer to stay in the water.
After several hours of lazing around, dark clouds started moving in off the Atlantic and we had left everything open on LB. So back we started but, as our luck would have it the clouds disappeared and we was off to another beach to do some snorkeling. Life is good on LB.
Today is Sunday, so no Chris Parker weather and no OCC cruisers net. We'll stay here today, haul out the dingy tonight and head to Falmouth tomorrow. It's time to check out of Antigua and start moving on. We still want to be in St. Barts around the 18th to watch the mega-sailing yachts compete in the St. Barts Bucket Regatta. We've also learned that some of our Kenosha friends have chartered in the BVI's in April so trying to hook up with them is also on our cruising list as well as trying to get to St. Croix which we missed our first time down here. Always something to think about, and since we are on Island Time we can change plans daily. Our only hard stop is Crown Bay April 30 to meet up with the salty Dawg cruisers.