6 days since the last blog update - time goes quickly while you're having a chilled out time.

First - the boat.  Bill from sailmakers A&F sails < $200 which was pretty good.  Woodstock have started work - perhaps one or two day's work to go - on re glassing the anchor locker and compartment immediately behind it - quote was at the low end of my expectations so that's also pretty good.  I think Oli could have done as good a job or better, but he has other work to do, and is off to St Maarten in the morning.  So all looking good for us to leave Antigua this weekend;  current thinking is that we'll go to Nevis, maybe St Kitts, and then to St. Maarten.

Next - the crew.   Toby now has a job on a 200ft M/Y as 2nd officer, and is flying to St Maarten on Thursday to join it.  Meanwhile James, Rosemary and Sarah are just enjoying the sun.

So how have we been spending our time?  We have hired a 4x4 and have been revisiting Toby's old beach haunts.  Swimming at Half Moon Bay (guide said it was the best beach in Antigua, and 3rd best beach in the world),  Jabberwok, and other beaches;  eating (OJ's, Cecilia's - both for the second time, Harmony Hall, and last night The Hideout - reputably the best restaurant on the island.  we could get used to this lifestyle, just cannot afford it !!!

Today a funny day; said goodbye (we thought) to Oli who was at the top spreader of Rainbow's mast so communication was via VHF, then revisited Half Moon Bay.  Toby spotted a Turtle caught between the branches of a tree adjacent to the beach.  With considerable effort he and James freed it and it scurried back into sea.  In the excitement (that's his excuse) James lost the car keys, so the rental company had to come out to deliver another set while we ate at the beach cafe.  Then back to Pidgeon beach, another swim and then met up with Oli and a couple of others from Rainbow who had arrived on the beach after swimming fro the anchorage.

Pictures: Half Moon Bay, the turtle, Oli up the mast