Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 March 2015

 

After a relaxing afternoon yesterday we went to have a look at Saba Rock and the Bitter End Yacht Club.  As we mentioned Saba Rock is now a small resort rather than a small bar and it has some wonderful views over North Sound and outside to the neighbouring islands.

 

 

Looking out across the Sound to Virgin Gorda:-

 

 

 

 

 

and in the opposite direction:-

 

 

 

 

The view across a reef to the small Eustatia Island:-

 

 

 

 

 

And down to the restaurant at Saba Rock:-

 

 

 

After failing to get an internet connection we had a coffee at the restaurant and saw the menu on which there was nothing extraordinary except the prices.  How things have changed. 

 

It is a short dinghy trip to the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda itself.  This was always touristy and rather expensive and nothing has changed here.

 

Back at the boat we heard the captain of a small French Cruise Ship which was entering the Sound call out to another Cruise Ship which was coming up behind them.  He explained that they were about to turn to port (to the left) and anchor and requested that the other ship does not overtake on that side.  Under the Collision Regulations the overtaking boat must keep clear so the French Captain was being helpful about his intentions.

 

 

This picture was taken a few minutes later as both ships came into view.  The French boat is the 3 masted one to the left.  The blue cruise liner on the right was advancing at great speed, quite close to yachts anchored around the point to the right.

 

 

 

 

The captain of the blue ship was vague in his response but as you can see here he ignored the request and proceeded up along the port side.  The French boat slowed right down to let this happen and his anchoring location was compromised:-

 

 

 

 

 

Some ‘words’ were had on the VHF afterwards when the French captain, without a hint of sarcasm in his voice, complimented the other captain on his seamanship.  It is forbidden to be abusive over the air waves and the words chosen were polite but the meaning was clear.  The curt response from the other captain suggested the meaning was not lost on him.

 

During the afternoon we went ashore to the Sandbox Bar on Prickly Pear island and had sundowners amongst the ‘tourists’ before returning for dinner on board.  But not before removing an uninvited guest who had landed under the sprayhood.

 

 

Lin removing the flying fish which by now was beginning to pong a bit:-

 

 

 

 

On Friday we motored a couple of miles across the Sound to Leverick Bay and anchored behind the mooring field.  Lin taking us across the bay:-

 

 

 

 

That evening we went to the Friday night ‘all you can eat’ BBQ at, what is to us, their new beach bar, Jumbies.  Considering the number of people there the food was good done well.  All fresh fish and meat without a burger or sausage in sight.

 

 

Jumbies:-

 

 

 

 

There was a live band playing reggae and rock.  They were pretty good and we learnt how important it is to keep your sunglasses when it’s dark:-

 

 

 

 

The following day we changed position again and went half a mile over to Drakes anchorage beside Mosquito island.  There used to be a small resort here and on our honeymoon we had a wonderful dinner at the restaurant right beside the water.  Sheltered from rough seas by a reef it’s a favourite anchoring spot for us because so few people come here although the last time we visited the resort had closed.  Now all the buildings have gone and new ones are going up.  It is rumoured that the island has been bought by Richard Branson and he is building an eco resort.