Sunday 12 to Sunday 19 April 2015

 

 

The following day we motored a few miles around to North Sound.  We passed Mosquito Island on the right which gave a clearer view of Richard Branson’s new development with Virgin Gorda in the background:-

 

 

 

His guests will be able to see his other island, Necker, only a mile or so away.

 

North Sound is the most easterly part of the BVI’s so is a good hopping off point when returning east and south to St Martin or St Kitt’s.  We intend to sail to one or other of those islands on our way back south and it will entail at least one night at sea. 

 

First stop in North Sound was the anchorage in Leverick Bay where we went ashore to use their laundry and to check weather forecasts.  The prevailing wind is from the east and we are heading just south of east which puts the wind on the nose.  If we wait for winds a little north of east then we can sail on one long tack 120 nautical miles to St Kitt’s or a long and a short tack for the 77 nm to St Martin.  Wednesday afternoon is looking good for departure at the moment as there is an ENE wind forecast.

 

Monday evening we had a nice meal at Leverick Bay restaurant although it was at typical BVI prices.  The view from the restaurant in daytime:-

 

 

 

 

And the resort’s small beach:-

 

 

 

When we checked the weather again on Wednesday morning it still looked good for a departure that afternoon but the angle and wind strength was forecast to be even better the following day so we have delayed departure to Thursday.  However on Thursday morning the new forecast showed that the ideal weather had disappeared.  The northerly component had gone and the wind was now stronger from the east – the direction we want to go in!  So, plans were postponed for a few days whilst we wait for things to change.  Back to admin jobs!

 

For a change of scene we motored a couple of miles over to the east end of North Sound and anchored in Biras Creek between the Bitter End and the Yacht Club of Costa Smeralda.  This is an addendum to the more famous original club in Sardinia.  We had a very nice simple lunch ashore at The Fat Virgin Cafe (not linked to Costa Smeralda) and has been getting good reviews.

 

We saw Chris and Penny on ‘Karma Daze’.  It was good to catch up.  The last time we had seen them was in Jolly Harbour in Antigua last summer.  They had planned to go up the east coast of the US this year but that has been postponed as various things have got in the way.  Like most people on boats they keep their plans loose.

 

 

Bitter End:-

 

 

 

 

Saba Rock again.  We visited several times to check the weather:-