Arriving in Sint Maarten at 3:30, it was too late to get through the airport, visit customs, check out of the marina and make the 4:30 bridge. The trip planning to the BVIs provided some challenges, as they are particular about Customs, which are closed Sunday and only open until noon on Saturday. Also with the rocks off Virgin Gorda, Heather wanted to arrive in daylight. So we needed a bridge early enough to guarantee that with the low winds forecast we would make it to Customs by noon. So we elected to take the 11:00 bridge on Friday.

As it turned out, the winds were slightly stronger than forecast and we could make very good time. Too good in fact, at first we went with main and genoa, then put up the chute. Speed calcs said if we pushed it we could reach the BVIs at 2:30 am, well before first light. So we went back to main and genoa, but reefed. Then we reefed some more. Then we reefed again. At dusk we took in the main and continued under reefed genoa only. It's no fun to keep having to slow down - we want to go faster!

It was a good passage - other than Heather feeling somewhat queasy. 12 knots on the beam is just about perfect for Sea Otter. The waves were only about 5', admittedly on the beam, which is not ideal. The dingy was sprouting some impressive growth after two weeks in Simpson Lagoon - but Heather got it scrubbed off. (you go girl!) A busy passage, boat wise, I think at all times we were within 5 miles of another vessel. Lots of boats were taking advantage of the good weather.

Passing the rocks in good daylight we anchored off Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda where the Customs are. They do not make it easy. Some information we provide in triplicate on one form and on 3 other forms. The Customs anchorage was rolly, so once we cleared, we motored over and picked up a mooring behind Marina Cay.

Marina Cay is one of my favorite islands. I have been in the BVIs twice before. The first time was just over 20 years ago with my family on a family vacation chartering. More recently, 6 years ago, for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary we chartered a 52' Beneteau named 'Tanis Marie" for 10 days. On that trip there were 7 of us: my parents, Heather and I, my brother Paul, my brother Lucas and his then girlfriend (now wife) Ha. After 10 days of family togetherness Heather and I moved onto Marina Cay for 4 days to unwind. It is a tiny little island, 8 guest rooms, a hilltop bar with live music nightly and a great beachside restaurant with the best ribs I have ever eaten. 12,000nm ago, coming back here was a goal of mine for the trip, and we now could see it.

Hot with little wind, we got the shade tree up, and were taking it easy (recovering from our overnight passage) when I recognized the boat passing us, going to pick up the mooring ball in front of us. It is Adrian and Claire on 'Flying Low' who we met in Sint. Maarten last year. When I swam over to say hello we agreed on drinks at 6 on Sea Otter and dinner at 7 at Marina Cay. As I am floating and talking I noticed that the next boat over from them is 'Tanis Marie'!

We had a delightful time, wine and appys on Sea Otter (they hosted us last time), very good ribs ashore, and we finished the night off with port and Maderia (the last bottle that we brought from Maderia), on Sea Otter.

A great day. I regret to report though that while the ribs were, tender, tasty and very good; they changed their sauce and the are no longer the best that I have ever had. The painkillers are just as good as remembered though.