Shirley Heights & Nelson's Dockyard
Scott-Free’s blog
Steve & Chris
Mon 21 Mar 2011 03:57
17:00.912N
61:46.398W
Monday 21st
March 2011
Distance run: 14
nmiles
We spent the first
day of James's visit in Jolly Harbour, giving him a chance to catch his
breath and us a chance to provision the boat and do a few odd jobs. We set
James to work immediately (did he REALLY think he was coming for a
holiday?!!)
James fixing new
croc clips to the jump leads.
He was rewarded for
his endeavours later when we went to the beach for a swim and sundowners - and
looked very at home in matching beer and t-shirt!
Beers on the
beach.
The following day we
had a gentle sail around to Falmouth Harbour, where we dropped anchor and set
off for Shirley Heights. We arrived early and enjoyed the view in peace
and quiet, as more people slowly drifted in. We listened to the
steel band as we watched the sun go down, and enjoyed supper from the barbecue,
washed down with a beer or two. By the time we left, the steel band
had been replaced by a reggae band which were in full swing,and we could barely
pick our way through the crowd to reach the exit.
Enjoying the
view of English & Falmouth
Harbours. The
steel band got livelier as the afternoon wore on!
The following day we
went ashore and explored Nelson's Dockyard in neighbouring English Harbour,
which is just a short walk from Falmouth Harbour. Nelson was stationed there in
the 1780's but was unpopular because of the way he enforced the Navigation Act
which restricted trade to British ships. The buildings in the Dockyard
have been restored and are all in use, and there is a small museum,
and the two harbours are managed by the Nelson's Dockyard National Park. We
walked out to Fort Berkeley Point,and were amused by the sign which informed
visitors that the path had been built and maintained by the "Royal Naval Tot
Club"! Perhaps that was why the sign was tipsy!
One of the
restored buildings in Nelson's
Dockyard.
The Royal Naval "Tot" club!
Tomorrow we will
head around the east coast of the island where there are reputed to be some fine
anchorages, for a day or two of swimming and snorkelling on the
reefs.