Our overnight passage to Tortola in the BVI was trouble free. Instead of the expected run we were reaching. We were going so fast we had to slow RT down. Even with two reefs in the main and heavy reefing of the head sail we still doing 5.5/6kns. Any faster and we would have arrived in the islands in the dark, we were keen not to do that even though we have charts on our chart plotter for the BVI and onwards from now on.

 

Call it a touch of sun, dehydration what ever. Pat was unceremoniously dumped into the rubber duck in the surf when we returned to RT from Saba after completing the up and down of the Ladder (the 800 steps) after her legs went all wobbly on the descent and crossing the boulder field to the duck. With Norm holding the duck I dragged Pat into the surf and heaved her into the duck. We got off the beach with Norm on the outboard , me on the oars and Pat in heap in the bottom. We were so concerned we weren’t heading for RT but for the harbour about a mile away expecting Pat to be put on a drip at the General Hospital.  Anyway on the way Pat recovered some composure and assured us she was fine and would be able to get back on board RT.  She could do so and seems to have made a full recover except for stiff legs and arms from me dragging her along the beach to the duck. In the melee and confusion trying to get Pat into the Duck all three life jackets we had with us self activated. Its encouraging to know that they work!

 

Anyone wanting something different in the Caribbean I can recommend Saba. From the outside it looks austere but inside its soft and cuddly. Full of beautiful wooden houses and gardens. The Dutch have a big influence still, there is even a medical college with 500 students. This is on an island with a permanent population of 1700. There is one road linking the harbour, Bottom, St Johns and Windwardside. It has another 1064 steps leading up to the summit of Mount Scenery if you have time to spare. Unfortunately we didn’t though it didn’t stop Norm buying the tee shirt. Some people have no shame, don’t believe a word he says when he gets back.

 

Its also a great place if anybody is into diving, but absolutely no beaches.

 

Saba

 

The Top of The Ladder

 

A Nice Line in Town Signs

 

Houses in Bottom

 

House in Windwardside

 

View from the Ladder, We are anchored there somewhere

 

The Ladder is on the Left

 

On the Way Back to RT, note the inflated Life Jackets