Antiguan Adventures
Persephone... Cruiser/Racer
Nigel & Karen Goodhew...
Thu 9 Mar 2017 20:03
Antigua is a self styled yachting centre of the Caribbean, so is a good place to get help and supplies if they are needed. Nigel is constantly on the look out for the correct spin on filters for our diesel fuel system. These are very difficult to find in the Caribbean, and although we carry several, its always a good plan to keep as many as possible, because fuel out here is not always as clean as you would like, so the filters tend to block up faster. Budget Marine actually had one! So we bought is, for £45!!!! ( about 3 times the normal cost).
Next was our wind instrument. On a calmer day, Karen winched Nigel up to the masthead and he retrieved the anenometer, with the intention of taking it to the local Raymarine dealer and consulting. But curiosity got the better of him and he stripped the delicate instrument down in the cockpit, finding the cause of the additional friction, which was restricting the cups from turning in light breezes, reassembled to and remounted it. It seems ok. The friction seemed to be caused by a tiny piece of waxed cotton thread used to jam the shiny plate inside the housing, onto the spinning shaft. Somehow, it came loose and was dragging against the housing. It seems to be entirely superfluous, as the instrument works just fine without it....and its difficult to believe that Raymarine assemble the anenometers using little bits of string....but how else could a section of tiny twine get into the housing?
An early priority too, was to get in touch with Peter Hopps, who sailed his Sigma 38, Sam, here in November. We found her soon enough, sitting at anchor in the neighbouring harbour of Falmouth. In no time, we were sitting in Cloggies Bar having a beer or two with Peter and planning an evening assault of Shirley Heights, for the Sunday barbecue.
While we have been two boats have finished the Talisker Atlantic Challenge....a race ac ross the Atlantic from La Gomera to Antigua. The reception for each boat has been tumultuous, with fog horns sounded and a bernthing spot in pole position on the famous Nelsons Dockyard. The organisers struggle a little with party organisation...the two finishers we have seen were a week apart!
And the England cricket team are in town, playing a series of one day internationals. Cricket supporters almost match sailors...as the "barmy army" swell the numbers in the bars. On Sunday, we went to the shindig up at Shirley Heights, listened to the steel band accompany the sunset, then enjoyed the reggae band afterwards until late. On bass, none other than Curtly Ambrose, with Richie Richardson on guitar....each demonstration considerable talent in their second careers after retiring from cricket.
We want to move down to Jolly Harbour to see Debra and Paul on Tumi...but its very windy at the moment, so we will wait a day or two until conditions settle a tad.
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