Sun,squalls,swells and WIND.

Oriole
Tue 2 Feb 2010 15:27
English Harbour, Antigua.   17:00.323N  061:45.715W
 
It was dangerous to remark that we had not seen much wind as the arrival of Dick and Penny Page heralded an increase in the pressure gradient and some stronger winds and bigger seas.  
 
            
 
                           Oliver delivers Dick and Penny to Oriole                                                       Dick in charge as we beat up the Boon Channel.
 
 
            
 
                         Penny surveys the beach at Jumby Bay                                                           Sunset over Oriole at Jumby Bay
 
The Superyacht Cup has been held this week and we passed several of the giants out practising. The swells from a storm system up north had dissipated in time for us to sail up to the NW corner of Antigua and then inside the reefs on the north side of the island to Jumby Bay and Great Bird Island.  This is a remarkably unfrequented area for yachts and a favourite of ours and we saw only three or four other yachts during the few days we were up there. Inspite of one overcast and squally day we had typical Caribbean weather and the stronger winds gave us some great sailing and Dick spent hours on the helm as we reached and beat our way round the island.  The new bbq was in constant use and we eat out under the stars every evening.
 
            
 
                                                                                                P2 and Visione pound past us
 
On our arrival back in English Harbour we were entertained for drinks and a tour of Juliet, a lovely Royal Huisman built 135 foot ketch, by the skipper and his fiancé who needless to say are friends of Andrew's.  They are just about to set off across the Pacific with occasional visits by the owner. We were then dined out by Dick and Penny at Johnny Coconat's (correct spelling) right on the edge of English Harbour. He is another friend of Andrew's and his restaurant tables are beautifully covered with old charts from Sea Shuttle. John took Dick and Penny ashore this morning to fly back to the UK and we were very sorry to see them go. They had slotted very easily into Caribbean life on Oriole and it had been a great pleasure to have them aboard.