Flying Kites
Blue Sky's Voyage
George & Michael
Sun 20 Apr 2008 12:22
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Hello Friends
"17:01.0N 61:46.4W"
After meeting up with 'Esprit', 'Kelp
Fiction' and 'Sea Bird' in Falmouth Harbour we persuaded all to sail upwind,
back to the Green Island anchorage. Well actually, I think 'Esprit' bothered to
sail and the other two motored up !!
Anyway, Andy on 'Esprit' did catch a good
sized albacore tuna on the way up and the fish was of such good quality that we
decided to have a sushi evening. Michael turned the whole fish into sushi
fillets and Andy and the girls formed everything into a splendid selection of
sushi with all the accessories. George's contribution was a Coconut Tart, one of
his local specialities and the first recipe to feature in "Cook Along with
George" coming very soon on the website
The other excitement is kitesurfing as we
mentioned in the last blog. The Green Island anchorage is on the windward
(east) side of Antigua, protected by a fringing reef to the east. This makes for
an area of relatively flat water but still with the full benefit of the trade
winds. It is an ideal location for the kitesurfing school which sets up shop on
the beach.
Andy and George had clearly been watching
the experts and thinking that it looked good fun, so both decided to take the
introductory course. I shall spare them the blushes of the many crashes and
immersions and just show you the photos of the successful flights.
George...
 and Andy...
 Whether George decides to do more
kitesurfing is still under consideration. From where Michael was observing in
the camera boat, the whole exercise looked very strenuous and seemed to involve
swallowing a whole lot of seawater.
We are now enjoying watching Antigua
Classics and it's the third day of racing today. One the first day, Stan of "Sea
Bird" opined that watching yacht racing was 'like watching paint dry'. On day 2
of the races, we watched "Velsheda" and "Ranger", two J class boats battling it
out and crossing the line neck and neck. Everyone watching with us at the fort
overlooking the entrance to Falmouth Harbour was bouncing up and down - and Stan
didn't think it was like watching paint dry any more.
Here is the shot: "Velsheda" (130 ft, 1934)
on left and "Ranger" (134 ft, 2003) on right with the yellow finish marker just
to the R of Ranger. "Ranger" was over the line first though "Velsheda" won
(again) of course as she is slightly smaller so wins on handicap. The racing is
Serious here, apparently half the crew on "Ranger" are Americas Cup Kiwis
specially flown in for the race ...
 There's more racing today followed by the
Parade of Classics through English Harbour. We will get some more photos for the
next blog, and if you want to do your own research, www.antiguaclassics.com is the place
to look.
Best Wishes
George & Michael
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