18 01N 63 03W

Osprey
John Bowering
Mon 12 May 2008 21:26
We left Falmouth Harbour at 0630 on the 11th May, Charles having arrived at the boat at 1700 the previous evening. The game fishing competition was in full swing with free drinks all around. We tried to buy a small tuna to put in the freezer but small did not figure in the catch that day with the smallest being in the 30 lb range - much to big for us to deal with so we gave up that idea and had dinner at the Cat Club hotel to say goodbye to all the team there and an early night. The sail around to Jolly harbour was pleasent and we tested all the sails and equipment with no defects. We were in Jolly for 1000 and cleared customes and immigration by 1100 having pulled into a berth adjacent to their offices (which upset some local harbour official). After doing a freezer shop, we departed at 1530 after a siesta were set for an overnight sail to St Martins. The departure from the berth was not very pretty as the wind caught our bow and swung us around before we were clear of the after end - no real damage though a small amount of varnish to touch up! The trip was reasonably straight forward with good following winds initiall though later they became light and variable for three hours. During thta time we were drifting towards St Bartholeme Island and eventually ended up starting the engine for the last three hours to Philpsberg. This is in the Dutch side of the Island and a fairly exposed - rock and roll anchorage but we did not have the time to enter into the adjacent lagoon as it involved passing a road swing bridge that only operates to a predetermined schedule. This means we could get stuck there waiting for an exit in the morning. It was long walk to and not very cooperative Ducth local team but we eventually got cleared after an hour in the office. Stopped at the marine stor on the way back looking for T & C Charts but still no luck - we will have to hope that we can find them the the Virging Islands - otherwise we stuck with no backup to our electronic system.We were both ready for a sleep by the time we got back to the boat and are going ashore this evening for a meal. The plan is to leave early Tuesday morning for Road Town in the BVI (We aren't allowed into the US Virgin Isl side as they now require full visa's and all the yachting fraternity are avoiding the place.) Its about a 90 mile passage. We may arrive in the dark but will just have to deal with that or heave to offshore unitl daylight - or park off a beach!

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