February, March, April 2015

O.K. My best intentions to keep this blog up to date have obviously failed miserably; just don’t know where the times gone, anyway here we are 29^th April 2015 with an abbreviated up-date for the last three months.

I wrote in the last blog that we were in Barbuda, an island we really loved, where we had a fantastic chill out time. We left there and sailed through the reef by Boon Channel and anchored in Jumby Bay, Long Island, a small island with a few houses and a couple of holiday resorts, very pleasant swimming and beach activities. From there we sailed to Great Bird Island, an uninhabited island surrounded by reefs. Great snorkeling, clear water, lots of fish, we swam with several small rays. There was also lots of shells, especially conch shells, we went ashore and climbed to the highest point to admire the views. Back on Kaimin a fishing boat hailed us and we bought two of the largest lobsters I’ve ever seen they were delicious. Eventually it was time to head back to Jolly Harbor and prepare to go back to the UK.

We were in the UK for six weeks however I didn’t keep a diary, but we did the usual things, such as John obviously had lots to catch up with at work, visiting clients and works in progress, whilst I caught up with the housework, gardening, the post and purchases for the boat. We caught up with friends and family as best we could. We managed to have James and Henry for a couple of days taking them to the ski-dome for their first lessons in ski-ing and snowboarding, I think this got the seal of approval. John went to Riga for a long week-end with David and a group of guys, whilst Stacey and I went to London to see Changing of the Guards, Billy Elliot the musical and a craft fair, I really enjoyed having quality time with her.

There was also some sad moments during our time at home as my cousin Donald died, I was pleased that I’d managed to visit him and catch up with some of my Dad’s side of the family before he died. Unfortunately John’s uncle, Bill, also died, and we were able to attend the service to celebrate his life and catch up with the family.

We also had a number of on-going projects to sort out:

My extractor fan had stopped working, whilst that was being replaced we decided to have some additional electrical sockets installed and to tile behind the cooker instead of keeping the splash back.

My tenants had given notice; there were a few bits and pieces that needed to be done to the house before we found new tenants.

John was also trying to organize tarmac for the road outside our house to be completed whilst we were away and sort out the completion of his Mams extension, so all in all it was a hectic few weeks.

After the few weeks at home we flew to New York for a week for our Blue Water Rally reunion and to meet up with past sailing friends, we were then flying on to rejoin the boat in Antigua. New York very cold; Antigua vey hot; plus boat parts equals nightmare for packing.

When we touched down in JFK there was about five inches of snow on the ground and still snowing, the wind was blowing and boy was it cold, much colder then the UK. We soon forget the cold, as we meet up with everyone from the Rally and the wine and beer start to flow. Did I mention that I’d given up alcohol back in the UK would I stand the test? Whilst we find out what everyone had been doing and reminisce about past times we do the touristy bits, a guided tour around Manhattan, a cruise along the Hudson River to see the Statue of Liberty and dinner in New York Yacht Club. A great time was had by all, but all too soon it was time to say our goodbyes to most of the Ralliers. However Jenny and Peter, Mike and Lorraine, John and I head off on a long, looooong  train journey to see Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls was partially frozen, a low mist hung around, there was spray from the falls and an occasional light rain but it was amazing. We pulled our hoods up walked the walk and took our photos like true brits. We stayed overnight in a great hotel, had a fantastic evening meal, and then it was time for the looooong train journey back and for us to say cheerio, as we had to be at the airport for 4am in the morning flying back to Kaimin in Antigua.

Friday 27^th March we’re back on Kaimin in Antigua and in the warm. We quickly unpack or perhaps I should say unclothe and unpack and stow things away. Katherine and Rob are joining us tomorrow for a weeks sailing, so there’s the usual food to buy and beer, and beer, and beer.

We have a lovely week with Katherine and Rob, sailing back to Barbuda, anchoring off most of the time, swimming, I think Rob could swim the Atlantic, as long as he could stop for the occasional beer, eating, drinking, chatting and just chilling out. All too soon it’s tie to drop Katherine and Rob back in Antigua for their flight home.

John and I had been discussing where to sail next we had to be out of the hurricane belt by 1^st June. Our options are to sail North to the East Coast of America, East to Bermuda and then back cross the Atlantic to the Azores or South to Trinidad, we opt for Trinidad.

Sunday 5^th April we’ve provisioned the boat, paid our marina fees, cleared customs and immigration and by 10 am where sailing out of Jolly Harbor towards Trinidad. John would like to fly back to the UK around 20^th April so we have a few days to stop and visit different islands along the way.

Our first stop was in Dominica where we picked up a buoy and after clearing customs and immigrations John found an unusual bar that sold rum with a choice of snake or centipedes in it. We arranged for an island tour with Poncho and visited several spectacular waterfalls and hot sulphur springs.

Our next stop was Martinique where we dropped anchor in Grande Anse D’Arlets at around 5pm on Wednesday 8^th April but we we’re on our way again by 7am the following day. We sailed all day and rested over night at anchor in Vieux Fort Bay St. Lucia. Next day were on the move again by 6am picking a buoy up in Mustique at 4pm. John wants to get to Trinidad to make sure we have somewhere safe to leave Kaimin whilst he fly’s back to the UK, The sailing has not been easy with gusty winds and confused seas, and continually having to tweak the sails, has made sailing all day, anchoring at night a bit of a chore so we decide to stay a couple of days in Mustique.

We had visited Mustique in2007/2008 and had loved it mixing and dancing along with the famous in Basils Bar, but this time we were disappointed. We had to clear immigrations but were not allowed to walk the streets to get there, we had to be escorted because the ‘famous’ insisted on a strict security system. Most of the island was out of bounds, the local people no longer seemed happy go lucky, most were security guards, taxi/buggy drivers, in the infamous Basils Bar there was no music, it no longer seemed like a Caribbean Island, more like an International Island Resort.

Our next anchorage was in Hillborough Carriacou, a lovely unspoiled town and people, John takes a particular liking to the Rum and buys large quantities for the boat after sampling sufficient amounts ashore. He struggles to get out of the dinghy back on to Kaimin, I’m not amused and tell him he’s p*****. We find out the next day that the rum is 100% proof and so it is watered down by 50%. I’m still not drinking, goody two shoes.

Monday 14^th April by 10 am we’re on our way for an overnight sail to Trinidad. We have an excellent sail South Easterly winds force 4 to 5 and have the main mizzen and headsails out, but reefed, our new sails are performing exceptionally well. We arrive in Chaguaramas Bay Trinidad 7.15 am Wednesday 14^th April. OK this is Trinidad.