We arrived at St George’s Town C&I jetty at about 18 30 on 6 June. The formalities were pleasant and we went off to moor alongside the town quay thinking we were lucky to get a space. Obviously we weren’t and as soon as we had secured everything we were told to clear off. Off we went to anchor in the failing light. On the first attempt we failed to get a hold until we were too close to other boats so we decided to have another go. That’s when we realised that the anchor was well and truly stuck. After a few attempts to get it off the bottom we gave up and stayed the for the night. Another attempt in the light failed and we are now awaiting a diver to come and have a look at what we have caught. This could be the last time we anchor on this trip and the only time were we have had the hook seriously stuck. Its just bad luck and has to happen sometime. I guess the alternative would be to cut the chain and fit the spare anchor.

 

The passage from Fort Lauderdale to Bermuda has been like the curate’s egg, good in parts. A slog to windward for about 6 days, calms for a couple of days and finished with a flourish on a beam reach for another two days. 10 days and 10 hours. Using more fuel than I care to admit in order to move thinks along at times. RT has held together reasonably well and what disasters did befall us we were able to improvise. The problem with Monica was due to a broken spring. Amazingly, I have a spare and that is fitted now. We have found a weakness in the main sail so that is with the sail makers now for repair. Should be ready on Monday. We now believe that Pike did leave us. I think we were going so slowly at the time he reckoned he could do better. He did give the impression of making RT his home and settled in well for the short time he was with us.

 

St George’s is a quite twee, its a World Heritage site. The cruise liner passengers who moor up at the other end of the island at what is called the Royal Naval Dockyard come by the bus load. We saw the ducking stool ceremony this morning were this poor wench get a good soaking for nagging her old man and spreading gossip. It’s really quite funny with quite a bit of audience participation.

 

We don’t expect to get underway again for the 1700 nm passage to the Azores until at least Tuesday but the weather is looking a bit indifferent at the moment for then. Quite light airs.Thinks could change over the weekend. We have a list of small jobs to do and we need to get provisions, and in between we can have a look around the island.

 

Arty Shot, My nice new head sail sheets on our bronze winch

 

First Aid by Norm whilst in FLD on Monica’s Light Airs Wind Vane

 

Our Visitation by the US Coastguard, We were well out at sea but still within the 200 nm limit.

 

Mid Atlantic Calm

 

And at Night

 

The Skip

 

Steering Lashed up until we improvised a repair

 

What’s that hanging off your earring Norm?

 

Got it sorted at last

 

Pike

 

Have a drink

 

Getting a Noon Sight, God help us if we need to rely solely on my astro skills

 

Norm attempt at bread making

 

Monica’s busted spring, both spring ends have broken off so that the clip was not able to hold the paddle down