Wind, Wind and More Wind

At the time of writing this, 25^th January 2024, we are still in exactly the same place as we were over Christmas. The simple reason is the wind. It has been howling for over two weeks rendering any sensible passage not possible. It has been so windy that getting off the boat to go ashore is a very wet experience to say the least.

Other problems have arisen from the wind. At anchor, the boat moves around a lot and sometimes in the stronger gusts it can be difficult to keep your balance. The other day I looked at the mate. The _expression_ on her face said it all and her manner said the rest; irritability – tick, lack of energy – tick, loss of interest – tick. Yes, the mate, I concluded, was suffering from a background level of seasickness – at anchor! Once the mate’s condition had been diagnosed simple steps were taken to improve matters and morale started to improve somewhat.

We’re still planning on a possible St Martin/Sint Maarten trip, albeit a shorter one, but that’ll be for the next blog. Whilst here in Antigua, we have had a few interesting things going on – we saw the start of the Oyster Round the World Rally, we’ve attended some Tot Club meetings and we’ve spent some time in Nelson’s Dockyard (a place I could never be tired of) welcoming the Transatlantic rowers to dry land after over a month rowing across the ocean from the Canaries – a very impressive feat. A highlight has to be, as part of the Tot Club, being invited to the British High Commissioner’s house. Lindsy, she’s called, laid on a super spread of beer, wine, champagne, chilli and various other snacks and what a lovely evening it was. The house is high in the hills overlooking St John’s and Lindsy herself was a very welcoming, kind person – it’s a shame that she’s moving on to Pitcairn Island in the Pacific soon. Still, maybe the new High Commissioner will be just as nice…

The mate and I are considering our options for St Martin/Sint Maarten, it won’t be a simple departure if we go. The anchor chain and snubber, although doing a great job, are almost completely fouled for a start… I won’t go on… except to say that the checkout procedure is far from straightforward too.

For now, though, HMS Trent is coming to Antigua and as Tot Club members, we are to attend a meeting of some of the officers, luckily they are coming to our own stomping ground – English Harbour. Time to get the rum out!