ANTIGUA
CARRICK
Allan K Dobson
Mon 4 Feb 2013 20:14
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Now in Jolly Harbour Marina in Antigua.
Met the famous Noel Dilly (Rustler 36) and Sandie
in St Lucia and had several most enjoyable and stimulating evenings with them.
Also had Canadian couple in next berth on a steel Roberts 53 he built himself
from scratch. The nicest and most helpful people you could wish to meet. Learned
how to play Mexican dominoes. Traded in the Avon for an 8ft 4in tin bottied
AB ulta light - I didn't know they made RIBs that small. It just fits between
the inner forestay and the vent box and can stay inflated for coastal cruising.
Much better!
After leaving St Lucia with the Dunlops we headed north
to Martinique straight into a F 7 squall with rain to match which lasted a
couple of hours! Great start!
Anchored at the south end for a night then north to Pt
Fort for a night and then on to Portsmouth Harbour in Dominica. The PAYS system
of organised boatboys and moorings works very well. Dominica has been cleaned up
a bit, the wrecks on the beach are gone but it is still a bit poor.
Then on to the Saintes where we arrived in another nasty
squall which hit just as we were entering the narrows to the south
and stayed for three nights. They now have a mooring system - much better
than anchoring. A trip up to Nappy's fort on a Sunday should be avoided - it's
shut! Next stop Deshaies in Guadeloupe. One of the natural vents of Guadeloupe,
notorious for its wind funneling through we had a night of windless
bliss. Next day off north to Jolly Harbour. . Wind was a bit too much north
so we had an iron topsail assisted beat. Headed for Curtains buoy - orange -
clearly marked on the charts to be followed by Jolly but there ain't no buoys
and no local had ever heard of them! Quite shallow with under three leet below
the keel in the fairway.
Customs and immigration has one going in and out of more
doors than a Brian Rix farce but all v friendly and - well - Jolly!
Visited English Harbour by bus via St Johns. Just as
well we went by bus as the anchorage was very crowded. Had a drink at Shirley
heights and back to JH via the scenic route which was very interesting. EH is
still great. Some big boatys in there but bigger ones in Falmouth Harbour next
door inc. the latest Mirabella.
Had a round Antigua catamaran trip - not, regrettably,
on the Wadadali cat, the driver of which showed considerable sang froid clipping
lee shore headlands and reefs by feet rather than yards in 25k and swells to
match! Then Green Island anchorage for snorkeling - forget it - and lunch. The
beer was free.
We had a really good green flash somewhere on the way up
and another minor job at Castaways beach. They were not rum punch assisted
either!
Awaiting our next door neighbours from Silver Star and
doing forever repairs and stuff on el bote. Been bedevilled by fresh water
leaks. As soon as I nail one, another pops up. Trying to get at aft head shower
but it is a real pain. So - who needs to shower anyway. It is a boat after
all.
Toodle pip
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