17.00N 61.45W
Mojo 2
Andrew Partington
Fri 27 May 2011 20:34
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This morning we sit anchored in Freeman's Bay,
English Harbour, Antigua. Finally!!
It took us 24 days to cross the Atlantic from the
Canary Islands to Antigua. Everyone aboard is elated but tired. We have cleared
customs and have already had a beer [make that two] and a feed at "Skulduggery"
in the marina.
Yesterday was another long day. We motored in very
light winds until 30NM from Antigua but then cut the motors at 7.30PM. We set
the geneker in 5 knots of breeze and settled in for a very slow sail into the
morning. Through the night the wind lifted to 7 knots as we continued to edge
our way in. We turned on the radio and listened to Antigua Radio and the Thurday
Night Cricket League commentary. After midnight we started to see the night
lights of Antigua and an impressive lightning storm over the island. It was
fantastic to finally see a change in the skyline after nothing but ocean for
weeks. By first light we had edged to around 10NM from the entrance to the
Harbour. A little later a healthy 8 knots breeze lifted us to the end of our
voyage at around 8AM local time. As we entered English Harbour we rounded up
just past the reef to starboard and dropped anchor in the crystal clear water of
Freeman's Bay. As I left to clear customs Lyn and Daniel were taking a swim
around the boat.
This place is stunningly beautiful. Where we are
anchored is around 80 metres from a white sand beach ringed with coconut palms.
The land behind this rises sharply and is ringed by homes set into lush green
hillside. We are anchored with many other yachts, including another couple of
Fountaine Pajot's. It is warm and the water temperature is an amazing 30
degrees.
Thanks to my crew, Lyn and Daniel, for helping get
Mojo 2 this far. Over the past 24 days we were tested several times but always
managed to solve issues as they presented themselves. Thanks also to John,
Sharon [Ginger] and Keith for their help with the leg to Las Palmas. We wish you
were here with us to take a swim around the boat as we have. Thanks also Gerard
Cameron for his thoughful insight on the weather, Gregor Tarjan our
agent from Aeroyacht [who has kept in touch and offered technical assistance
with the boat] and Mark McRae from Southern
Ocean Sailing for his assistance and advice regarding Antigua and the
Atlantic. Finally thanks to all our friends and family who have contacted us
with encouragement, it has always been appreciated.
We still have a long way to go but one of the very
large hurdles has now been cleared.
Andrew Partington.
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