A week with the Browns in Antigua
Tikka
Thu 3 May 2018 10:57
> 17.00.05N 61.45.01W
> Thursday 26th and Tikka was looking sparkling and ready for visitors moored in the historic Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour. Luckily Tikka was moored right outside the Galley Bar so when the taxi pulled up, we all had a swift welcome to Antigua rum punch before heading onboard.
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> We unpacked the random items they had kindly brought out for us - tin opener, aftersun, generator spares, magnets for the davits and most importantly new plastic cups. All were put away safely apart from the cups which were put to immediate good use with some welcome aboard rum and cokes (with the local English Harbour 5 year old rum). Dinner and more rum followed.
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> Next morning we realised we had put the magnets away so safely no one could remember where! We planned a lazy day enjoying the pool at Boom Bar - great lunch and some more rum punches
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> We headed back to Tikka and the main Dockyard as they were hosting the opening night party for Antigua Sailing Week - starting with 2 hours of free rum and we indulged heartily - although Loz and Julia did get a bit of a rum bath on the last round of the evening - fighting through the scrum of people.
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> Saturday we were out in the bay after buying a couple of lobsters for dinner from the local supermarket (kept in a lobster pot underneath the dinghy dock). The lobsters did make a bid for freedom in the dinghy ride back to Tikka but made it onboard ready for dinner that night. Snorkelling and watching dogs swimming the entire length of the bay whiled away a lovely afternoon (with some more rum). Early evening Sandy did a great impression of a ballerina - when going down the companionway steps, he let go with one hand and ended up doing a perfect pirouette before landing on his head (but no real damage done thankfully).
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> Sunday was start of race week proper so we took Tikka out to watch but the conditions were very rolly and unpleasant so we cut it short and had lunch in Falmouth Harbour overlooking the super yachts. Sunday evening had to be the Steel band at Shirley Heights, with fabulous views over the whole of English and Falmouth Harbours
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> We had a taxi back down and Loz managed to shut her fingers in the car door, but again after the initial scream and shock with some rum anaesthetic no lasting damage done. Still no sign of the illusive magnets.
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> Monday we rewarded ourselves with another lunch and pool session at Boom. This time we sampled their rum runner cocktails for a change from rum punch.
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> Tuesday - magnets found - in the drawer with the weight and line for the davits (not sure how we missed them the first time). We did have a panic about missing credit cards but after some frantic searching and some laid back ‘they will turn up’ they were located in safely hidden away is Sandy’s man bag. We decided to take a taxi over the Half Moon Bay on the east of the island as several groups of friends had recommended it. We used the taxi driver from Sunday which was a mistake - wittering William and his very bumpy car, who also took us on a large diversion as he thought he had left his wallet at a coffee shop but just before we got there he found it in the centre console!
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> Eventually we got to half moon bay and the beach bum bar. William did buy us all a rum punch to apologise. We had lunch then some time on a beautiful beach, relaxing and swimming in the sea
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> Back to Tikka after another bouncy and non stop chatter filled taxi ride (topics included fornication and people dropping dead whilst mowing the grass). Drinks and pizza on Tikka for the evening after topping up our stores at crab hole liquor - they are getting to know us I picked up a box of Diet Coke and they already had the bottle of English Harbour rum waiting for us at the counter.
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> Wednesday we took Tikka out for another sail - popped round the corner to check out the smart hotel at Carlisle Bay. Had a couple of drinks but it lacked the atmosphere of Nelsons Dockyard so headed back to the Galley Bar for spicy ribs for lunch - very, very spicy ribs. Thankfully Mr B had wisely decided to go with the bbq chicken instead as the spice level even tested Julia’s cast iron palette. We added our contribution to the graffiti ceiling - leaving behind our mark of a fab week
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> One last night on Tikka (with more rum from the Crab Hole), and then it was time to sadly wave goodbye to our lovely friends - but not before a cheeky last beer.
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> We will miss you Mr & Mrs B.
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> Thankfully they had a different taxi driver to take them back to the airport so had a comfortable, quiet and air conditioned trip.
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> M&L
> X
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