On the way

Irie
Fri 1 May 2009 12:58
Position 18 02.17N 63 06.00W
Simpson Bay
 
Well, the great return has started, even if only in a small way. Jan was first, waving a slightly sad farewell to Irie and then taking the quick route home via VS 34, and is even now gardening, dealing with all the post, and catching up with the family. Jeronimo flew in,on Tuesday, dossed with Pete and Liv on Tuesday night, and then we all completed the Antiguan administitive nightmare, rmoving Jan from the boat, installing Pete as skipper and addig the rest of us as crew - really nice not to be responsible adult any more. We had a quick get to know you session in the Cap Horn restaurant and then returned to the boat for an early night. 
Four am reveille, off the anchor at five and sailing down he coast and thn north east on therhumb line to St Martin. The early breeze turned light, so we motored twelve hours of the seventeen, and sailed the rest.
It was a great beding down day - early on a whale blew and then sounded a few hundred yards off the stern, the cruisng chute was flown, and procedure sorted, preliminary guitar and mandolin master class took place, and as the dusk gathered and the lights of St Martin closed in, Jeronimo played some moody flamenco through the stereo as we slid up to the anchorage. It now appears that a major part of the tasks of two thirds of the crew will be engaged in beard growing. Results will be judged at the Scilliesand then removed. Marks will be for style rather than volume, as Jeronimo already has a head start by way of an impressive dark head of hair and a an afternoon shadow by about elevenses. To complete the excercise, Pete had his head shaved for the first time in his career. Pictures may or may not be available.
 
 Beards, day one
 
 
Liv in convict replicating mode