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.