Cassini blog #91 BVI cruising, Sopers to Norman Islands
Cassini's blog
Simon and Sally, Nigel and Catherine
Sun 28 Jan 2024 21:57
| BVI cruising - Sopers to Norman Island Weather finally cleared enough for us to make the 5-mile dash from Jost Van Dyke to Sopers Hole on Tortola. We did try to anchor (3 times), but it was deeper than we have been used to with a rocky bottom, and with still a strong breeze, it just wouldn’t set right. We were lucky then to spot a boat leaving a ‘first-come-first-served' mooring buoy and picked it up once he was clear… it was the only available one and nice and close to the dinghy dock as well. We went ashore for a recce. We had been before, pre-Irma and I had a bizarrre moment of recognition in the well stocked supermarket at the foot of the stairs….. most peculiar. In the Pussers Rum store, there was a photograph after the hurricane which showed a catamaran boat on the roof of the store. The rebuilding looks good and judging by the number of trippers arriving from neighbouring US Islands or nearby cruise ships, they are welcoming numerous visitors to the pretty pastel coloured bars, shops and restaurants of Frenchman’s Creek. We went ashore for Happy hour in Omar’s, and enjoyed rum punches and BBQ chicken wings. We agreed we would stay for another day, do some laundry and provisioning, before heading out to some of the islands with fewer amenities. First thing Saturday, Catherine and I headed to Subash launderette; Catherine and Nigel had found it the previous day and knew it would be far cheaper then the marina service wash ($2 US per pound weight of laundry). At Subash we paid $2 per load (we had 3) and less than a dollar for the drying. Simon used Oupa's inherited spring balance scales and our washing was 24lb. So we saved ourselves enough for another happy hour evening🤣🤣 Provisioning done, rubbish disposed of, a few boaty jobs completed and a relaxing library time. Sunday, we refilled the water tanks at the marina and set off sailing. The plan was to stop at 'The Indians' for some excellent snorkelling, but by the time we arrived, there were no free mooring buoys and anchoring is strictly not permitted. So we carried on a further mile to Privateers Bay, picked up a day-only mooring buoy, and snorkled across to The Caves. It was busy with day trippers on bigger boats, but we picked a good time and thoroughly enjoyed it. Plenty of big and little colourful fish to see and colourful corals. A lazy afternoon, library time and a little snoozette for some, and we have just moved 400 yards to the anchorage where we will stay tonight… for free! Hopefully it will be calm and peaceful although as a write there is a large catamaran overloaded with extremely loud Americans….. Simon has just made some delicious “Painkiller” rum cocktails, we are all showered off and relaxing before dinner. Love to all Sally   The store at Sopers, after the hurricane and as it is now, restored….  |
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