Anchored in the river at Jolly Harbour tonight, having left English Bay this
afternoon. We intend to return to Antigua if we get time, and those of you
who have told us to not miss Shirley Heights, we WILL try to get back for
the Sunday night steel drums and party.
Went into check in and see Nelson's dockyard and then over to Falmouth to
check out that harbour too. checking in was certainly a time consuming
nightmare, not to mention, expensive. Oh and we were suppose to have our
visa sorted by today for the International Cricket, which doesn't start for
another month! St Martin wont be requiring this, so we will have a bit of
respite to organise ourselves.
The officials were certainly moody and rude, topped off by one of them
telling another official who was questioning Mike about our plans, to "shut
up and give him the papers"! However Mike had a good time talking to prof
skippers on where was good, and where they were going. ( eg "I am on an
Oyster 100", "my boat burns 600l of diesel an hour" and a third guy who told
me his boat was 148 feet long!!) Good information gathering in the waiting
rooms at these places.
Nelson's dockyard was interesting, largely reconstructed and with large
amounts of tourists coming in there from their cruise ships, it felt a
little contrived. However, the island itself is very pleasant and
beautiful. there is extreme affluence here, and just to remind the modest
cruiser, the prices of everything match the look. when you look round the
corner there are the locals living in very simple houses and their kids are
playing in the dirt.
Listening to the weather forecast this morning was highly entertaining with
an extremely strong British accent delivering the goods. We were a little
unsure if he had just arisen, stifling the odd yawn, or if he was recovering
from a major night at Shirley Heights.
Over at Falmouth the MEGA yachts were moored. Maltese Falcon was there, we
last saw her off Bonifacio, and one of her crew informed us that THEY had
come across the Atlantic in 18 days. Well, That surprised me as we came
across in 19 days. However, they left from La Spezia in Italy and cruised
at around 24 knots. Hmmmm. other boats of note included Gran Bleu with her
helicopter and large speed boat on top, Mirabella III, and anchored in the
harbour, Mirabella V. And then there were LOTS and LOTS of super yachts.
One kiwi boat - Coconut from Nelson. Certainly the place to be seen, ay
what.
|
