St Martins to Antigua

Carnival day in Marigot, not the greatest show on earth, but quite a large one!

Sailed from Marigot, St Martins to Jolly Harbour, Antigua. The original plan was to go via Nevis and Guadeloupe but there was much more south in the wind than forecast which made the first two days hard sailing with some change in plans. I couldn’t weather St Kitts so dived down the leeward side and anchored in White House Bay. Ballast Bay next door, where we have anchored before, looks set for some development. The next day I popped out between St Kitts and Nevis and sailed to Monserrat.  It was hard going but I was never getting to Guadeloupe in one hit. The next morning was pay back for the southerly wind, a short fast close reach across to Antigua.

The smouldering volcano of Monserrat viewed from Jolly Harbour, not often seen as it is usually shrouded by cloud.

Rested up in Jolly Harbour, Happy Hours with Jonah and Emma of Pilgrim, last seen in Portugal and Tom and Sabrina of Honey Ryder who I met in St Martin. Morning sail up to Barbuda for a change of scenery, spotted a kite surfer doing the same 30 mile trip!

Barbuda, completely flat with plenty of very good empty beaches

Made good use of the very clear water to dive the bottom of the boat and scrape off the barnacles again! Followed by a very long walk on the beach with Tom & Sabrina from Honey Ryder.

A trip to the Frigate Bird colony which is supposed to rival the one in the Galapagos, followed by a quick look around the town which is about all the island has to offer, that is apart from a couple of very up market hotels with, I’m told, rooms at $1500 per night!

Lovely fast sail back to Jolly Harbour and farewell sundowners with Tom and Sabrina as they depart for all points south. Nychea (last seen in St Martin) arrives and anchors well out as they have a problem with their engine. Then Star Chaser (Jill & Alistair last seen in Madeira) arrives looking to be lifted to repair their keel and replace their windlass. The occupational hazards of cruising!