2nd January 08. Skipped a day with the new year as we were getting the boat
organised after the trip north. We left Deshaies at 0600 on the 31st with
what looked like a fair weather forecast and a nice day ahead. Unfortunately
the gods were not with us all the way as although we had a reasonable start
for the first couple of hours, the weather deteriorated thereafter and by
1000 we were in 25 gusting 30 knot winds and seas about the same size as a
two story house. Not a problem - just a little uncomfortable as the waves
were not that regular or spaced out as you would have away from the
continental shelf. As usual Anita became whiter with her coating of salt but
is now much more relaxed about the weather and seas. Osprey as usual
performed faultlessly and we reduced down to a reefed mainsail and motor
sailed with the engine just ticking over.Still sat at about 7.5 knots and
although we were taking the occasional spray over the windward rail the boat
was very steady.
We arrived in Antigua at about 1430 to find that there was a major tall
ships race taking place off the entry to the port - in those wind and sea
condition they were having an exciting time that was not either for me or
the fainthearted. We dodged around them and dropped anchor off the Yacht
Club where the wind was still howling so that John could go ashore and clear
customs. This took about and hour an a half but they were their usual
amicable selves - the office there only deals with yachts so they are pretty
good at it. Next came a trip to the Cat Club where Helen kindly gave us an
alongside berth so we did not have to de rig the davits for a stern to
mooring. We had some fun getting the anchor in at the anchorage which was
suddenly very crowded as the "racers" finished their exercises and came into
the harbour. Berthed at the Cat club by 1730 by which time we were feeling
the early start and the long day. Anita being Anita however we were shortly
in the local bar where we stayed with the live band until Anita fell asleep
at 2300. We went back to the boat and watched the fireworks and the new year
from there. New years day was a late start and we spent the day cleaning the
salt off the topsides - re stowing the main, which had not furled properly
the day before and generally putting away all the ocean passage equipment
like the safety nets off the guard rails.
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