We have arrived!
Stream
Darrell Jackson and Sarah Barnes
Tue 17 Dec 2013 20:44
Grovelling apologies to our many (?!) followers for not updating our diary sooner to announce our safe arrival in Antigua. I can blame internet problems (very poor wifi this time) but the truth is we've been so busy getting our land legs back.
The last couple of days at sea went quickly, but were very demanding on both crew and yacht. We continued with winds around 25 knots, gusting to over 30 very often and, on our last night, just short of 40 knots. We sailed the last 36 hours under a boomed out genoa that was reefed to varying degrees and we hand steered all the time and, during the last night, having 2 of us on watch for most of the time to share the burden. This worked well and was also very reassuring to have someone else with you when the big black squall cloud crept up behind you and Stream suddenly took off down the next big wave. The team were magnificent on helm and Stream never let us down, charging along through the blackness in the big following seas. What a last night!
Antigua came into view around dawn and the winds never moderated at all and we finally rounded Harman Point, the headland to the east of English Harbour, at 10.00hrs local, dropping anchor in Freeman's Bay.
After a traditional Caribbean lunch of Frankfurters and Sauerkraut ( I did say our menus might become a little strange by the end of the voyage!), washed down with Spanish San Miguel beer, the skipper made the short trip across the bay to Nelson's Dockyard to clear customs, immigration and Port Authority. This simple task took the best part of 90 minutes before he returned with the good news that we could lie stern-to in Nelson's Dockyard, with a bar 20 meters from our berth - tough times ahead.
Our last evening meal en route was a Nichols masterpiece and consisted of sliced courgettes (found in the fridge and still good for another week!) with pesto and olives "floating" on a sea of mashed sweet potato and onions. A wonderful experience and one which Pete enhanced by contriving to get his glass of red wine to tip into his plate on a larger than normal roll to starboard. Apparently the "in red wine" version of the dish was equally as good.
Our first meal ashore was at the traditional Sunday party on Shirley Heights which we shared a taxi with some neighbouring Brits to get to. The steel band playing when we arrived had to be heard ( and seen) to be believed. They were fantastic and a great start to our Caribbean adventures. We discovered "Dark and Cloudy" cocktails, which seemed to get stronger as the night progressed and which we regretted the following morning - they seem to make your voice rough! To eat we had barbecued burgers of one description or another. Fortunately we arranged to be picked up by the taxi at 21.30 and it was not long before we fell into bed for our first nights stationary sleep for three weeks, where we could sleep until we woke and did not have to get up for a watch.
Yesterday was spent cleaning and repairing and putting away and discovering Nelson's Dockyard and Falmouth Harbour. For the last two weeks the Super-yachts have been here as part of a Charter show. They are truly huge and make Stream look like a little tender. The crews on them seem to spend all day polishing and cleaning them.
Today it's a trip round the Island by car before we hopefully leave tomorrow ( Wed) for a sail to some nice anchorage.