Barbuda
Moonbeam
David and Lynn Wilkie
Tue 8 Mar 2011 14:54
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17.33.317N 061.46.141W
After a very enjoyable evening aboard Rob and
Sarah's "Serfina" we left Jolly Harbour Marina at 07.00 and headed north past 5
Islands Bay, Deep Bay and St. John's. Heading North through the reef the breeze
eased and it looked as though we would have a good sail to Barbuda. Within a few
minutes of shaking out the 2 reefs in the mainsail the wind picked up again so
back they went in again. At which point the fishing rod bent and eventually I
hauled in a 3' barracuda ! - The ferocious teeth and their bony meat was enough
to dissuade me from bringing it aboard and eventually I got it off the hook!
Then the squalls and rain started !
  Leaving Jolly
Harbour
Not quite Caribbean weather!
Eventually Barbuda appeared out of the grey and the
last few miles are steered on transits through shallow water, avoiding coral
heads. The plan had been to arrive around midday so the sun would make pilotage
easier- but there was no sun ! After 34 miles we anchored off a glorious beach
just south of the famous 'K- Club'; now derelict. The beach is several miles
long and usually empty apart from the odd horse or donkey!
  Dodging coral .....charts are only a guide and
may not be accurate
  Not bad as beaches go! There is also an 11 mile
long beach on the island - also empty!
 Despite the perfect surroundings the forecast
for Friday was rain all day and Northerly swells starting shortly so we
decided to leave early in the morning and save paradise for better conditions.
There is a frigate bird colony on the island that is apparently pretty
impressive so we will see that another time - Google Barbuda and Frigate bird
!
Inevitably the following morning was dry when we
departed at 07.00 to steer our way out of the anchorage. It stayed dry and sunny
for the dead run up to St. Barthelemy; a bit more wind would have been preferred
but it was otherwise perfect conditions, even for the whales we spotted
breaching and blowing! By 17.00 hrs the wind had dropped more and we motored on
to anchor off Gustavia at 18.45 just as it was dark. 68 miles
logged.
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