Bermuda
ALICE'S ADVENTURES
ANDREW AND CELIA SHARPE
Sun 8 May 2011 14:45
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We went back round to Trellis Bay. Charlie and
Emma left to go back to Antigua that afternoon. George met up with Chiara
for the evening. He and James had a flight at 7am so we were all at the
airport again at 5.30. As they were checking in there was a television on
showing the Royal Wedding. The Queen was just arriving at the Abbey.
So we waved goodbye to them and settled down to watch the event. We sat
there until they got back to Buckingham Palace. When we got back to the
boat it was still only about 8 am. 7 loads of laundry later and Alice
looked as though Widow Twanky had gone to sea! Martin and Elizabeth on
Caduceus came to meet us and weather was the main topic of conversation.
We decided to leave that afternoon so the washing was all put away (nice and dry
in the sun and wind!) and we headed over to Spanish Town. Martin
and Celia went to Customs but on arrival were told it was shut for "Prince
William's wedding". A very helpful Port Officer made some phone calls for
us and found an off duty customs official who came and did the clearances for
us. Andrew and Elizabeth went to get gas and had to get a taxi to a
garage who decided they weren't doing gas today as it was the Royal
Wedding! The taxi driver then took them to a hillbilly settlement
comprising semi derelict buildings and broken down vehicles where an elderly
rasta chap was woken up who then refilled all of our gas cylinders. By the
time they got back, Martin and Celia were at the Bath and Turtle bar watching
highlights of the Royal Wedding! Elizabeth wanted to see the dress so
we all watched for a while. We headed back out to the boats and saw David
from Bonobo on the way back. Hadnt seen him since St Lucia so it was a
very quick catch up.
We left Spanish Town at 18.00, put all the sails up
and were on our way north. A very mixed
trip. The first two days was lovely, we did nearly 400 miles on the
rhumb line on a reach. The next 430 miles took nearly 4 days of a head
wind and sea. Without doubt the roughest and wettest trip we have had with
tons of water landing on the boat. Martin on Caduceus said it was so bad
that even the cockroaches were wearing lifejackets! The final morning
was calm and sunny. We coped well as this was our first long double handed
passage. Didnt even take any stugeron as I wanted to remain fully
alert. Consumed a lot of ginger biscuits and marmite rolls which seemed to
do the trick! Anyway we made it and got a
wonderful welcome when we arrived. Bermuda Radio speak to you on the
way in. The Customs man was extremely friendly and gave us lots of
information.
It is "Bermudaful" here! Went ashore for a walk
round the delightful town of St George (a bit like Yarmouth).
Colourful buildings with white roofs to collect the rain water.
Martin and Elizabeth got our the bubbly to
celebrate our arrival then we went for fish and chips in a waterside
pub. It was wonderful to get a really good
night's sleep. Had to get the duvet back out as it is a lot cooler than
the BVI but still very pleasant.
We have taken the mainsail off and it has gone to Ocean
Sails to have some stitching renewed. So we will have to wait for that to
come back before we can leave again.
Laura and John on Rainmaker came in on Friday
morning.
Friday night is Happy Hour at the St Georges Sports and
Dinghy Club. We spent the evening there and met some interesting
people. Martin and Marit on Otra Vida, a Moody 37, came in while we were
there. We were standing by to tow them in as they had fuel
problems but they managed to get in ok so we all stood to cheer them
in.
Yesterday was spent clearing up and doing the
laundry. Then a walk around town and over to Tobacco Bay where we sat at
the beach cafe for an ice cream. Elizabeth was with us as Martin had heard
in the morning that there was an "End to End" bike race so he had gone to join
in and taken their dinghy, leaving her stranded!! We had drinks on Alice
in the evening for all 4 boats and he came wearing his medal - once a
soldier......
Will be here for a few more days at least and looking forward to
seeing the islands. Not in any rush to leave.
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