Bermuda
|
32:22.76N 64:40.72W Monday 30th May 2011 We have now been in Bermuda for two weeks waiting for the
wind, but we can’t complain too much as it is a fabulous place to be
stuck. The island is absolutely beautiful and lack of the right wind for
sailing has meant the weather here has been lovely - cooler and less
humid than is usual for this time of year. Loads of our sailing friends
are here plus Alan’s old university friend Stephen and family who live on the
island so it has been very sociable and we have been out nearly every
night. We have also taken rather a liking to rum and ginger beer, the
local drink known as a ‘dark and stormy’. Here are a few photos since our last update St Martin: Taking on extra fuel for the passage up to Bermuda which
fortunately we didn’t need as the we sailed most of the way.
An emptying marina in St Maarten – it’s definitely time to
leave the Caribbean.
Anguilla: Our last night in the Caribbean at Elvis Bar
Sailing to Bermuda: The calm before the wind. We had to motor for
the first day and half.
Mary reading ‘Roots’ en route
Land Ahoy: Our arrival into Bermuda
Bermuda: Moored up with Indra and Bavarian Spirit before moving out to the
anchorage
St Georges anchorage: Busy with yachts en route to The Azores and USA at the
end of the Caribbean season
Views of St Georges: As you can see it is rather lovely so we have stayed
here for two weeks and explored the island by bus, car and jet ski. Below
is Ordnance Island in St Georges
The church in St Georges
The J Class Valsheda stopped for a couple of days enroute to
Newport.
Bermuda Radio: Bermuda radio call all vessels up on their approach
to the island to make sure they know how to enter safely through the extensive
reefs. Stephen knew the guys so we paid them a visit to see how they
monitor all the yachts.
Bermuda Roofs: There is no mains water on the island so all the
houses in Bermuda have white roofs to collect rain water which is stored in
large water tanks built into or under each house. Everyone has to be very
careful with water usage.
Bermuda is made up of many smaller islands the larger of
which are joined by bridges
Bermuda also has many beautiful beaches
Alan & Stephen on Horseshoe Bay beach.
Stephen and Kathy’s House: Stephen is an old university friend of Alan’s
who has been a fantastic host and delighted in showing us around the
island. They live in the most amazing house with a fantatic view over
Devonshire Bay. We stayed there for a couple of nights, our first time in
a land bed for seven months. It did make us miss the home comforts for a
while but we are over that now and happy to be back on Stella. Stephen & Kathy’s house
The view from Stephens balcony.
Bermuda Shorts: In summer for the men formal work dress
is shorts, knee socks and loafers.
Stephen taking us on a jet ski tour of the island. On a
later trip we also did some great snorkelling
Morgan and Will: Stephen’s children on their new
inflatable water slide
Essential Boat Repairs: The main sheet track came loose during the trip
up so we needed to remove the headlining to tighten the bolts from below.
Fortunataly Graham from Indra who built his own Bowman was on hand to assist.
Drinking In Bars
Bermuda Day Dinghy Racing: We were lucky to be here for
Bermuda Day on May 24th when one of the events is the annual race of
the old Bermudian ‘Fitted Dinghies’. The class rules allow unlimited sail
area and if the wind is light some of the crew jump over the side to lighten
the load. Or if the wind is strong, as it was this year one crew
member is permantly bailing on the leeward side to frantically prevent the boat
from sinking!
They also capsize!
Town Cut: The entrance to St Georges Harbour
Cruise Ships moored in Dockyard: Fortunately for us they are now too
big to come to St Georges so are moored at the other end of the island in
Dockyard.
The Old Naval Dockyard is now a museum
More updates on the exciting change of plan to follow...... |
