Friday 19th December 8th,  2014

Jolly Harbour Marina, Antigua 17 04.2N 61 53.2W

Today's Blog by David (Time zone: UTC -4.0)

Our sail from Martinique to Antigua was uneventful even if it took longer than  desirable.  Phil and I each fast learned that Catamarans are different from Mononhulls in many ways. For example, monohulls are tippy things that perhaps go faster to winward and are much slower off the wind.  When Phil urged us to keep going for  a couple more hours on Friday night to shorten Saturday’s sail, he guided us to a favourite anchorage of his, off the beach next to Marina de Riviere Sens in Guadeloupe.  There I learnt that catamarans are apparently immune from rolly anchorages – Phil learnt that tippy boats in rolly anchorages make for  a poor night’s sleep! So it was easy for us all  to rise early and get to Jolly Harbour in good time; the boat being washed and put to bed by the time Simone,Kate Nathan and Grandchildren Chloe and Max arrived. looking forward to a sailing holiday on Serendipity (their last such opportunity having been spent alongside in Cat Marina,  Antigua, in Dec 2013 …. eerr …. without a mast!)

Anastasia immediately adopted Max and Chloe (or was it the otherway round?) while Kate, who had been complaining of a stomach upset on the flight out was admitted to hospital with aooendicitis and ultimately an appendictomy. This has given me a unique opportunity to see two health insurance companies dealing with hospital treatment – to compare and contast.  Well, if it is to be judged solely on price then Antigua’s private clinic wins, hands down, over Martinique’s public hospital system. What a stitch up!

 So Kate was in hospital for three nights  and commenced her convalescence on board. Meanwhile, Serendipity remained firmy attached to the dockside…. Again.  Sadly, Phil and Andre from Anastasia flew home for Christmas on 15^th but not before they introduced us to a beach nearby  the marina which was pretty deserted ……  save for a bevy of improbably large local girls  …. And a variety of  waterborne and beach pursuits ensued:

There we were able to indulge in:

Jousting

Hermit Crab Racing

and General Horseplay

without upsetting anyone…. we think!   George seems to be in his element – I am pleased to say!

Going to leave the marina later and get out to anchor in Carlisle Bay.   HOORAY!