Monday  April 20th,  2015

Brandywine Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands 18 24.8N 64 35.2W

Today's Blog by Lenie (Time zone: BST -5.0; UTC -4.0)

Hi all,

Here is my contribution to the esteemed Serendipity blog. It all started sailing away after our visit to The Baths on Virgin Gorda. We had washing hanging out to dry on the guard rails;  thought it ruined the view but David sail that it was all part of what sailing is all about: not always a holiday!? Nonetheless, it seems difficult to think it less than a vacation even if we do have to do the necessary laundry!

Terry and I spend a lovely time at The Baths, although getting there was not as straight forward as it seemed.  A protected National Park, we had to swim ashore with our  wet/dry bag. Would it indeed be waterproof?. Terry had more faith in it than me, so he ended up with his camera ashore, I did not. And yes, next time I will too.

The walk over, through, and also under the huge boulders, sometimes with help from ladders and ropes to a lovely cove  was well worth the visit. Especially with the sea around.

The evening we spent at anchor in Marina Cay, where the famous Pussers Rum telephone box is located. We had a lovely meal overlooking the bay. Both men bought new shirts on the way to the restaurant (David never took his off after trying it on in the shop). Almost needless to say that what attracted them was the 'Splice the Mainbrace' signal on each shirt, a euphemisms for authorised celebratory drinking.

After dinner, I had to be content with my doggy bag, or was it chicken bling!??

We are getting more into the Carribean lifestyle now, a slow pace of getting around sailing when we can with snorkelling stops en route. And people to meet up with. There are still Oyster World Rally people about here.

This evening we are on Tortola, to eat with the crews of World ARC Anastasia and Trompeta and  where newly graduated to grandad Peter Verkroost will be joining us. This will be our full crew until we reach the Bahamas. More some other time.

Eating out can have its challenges if you don't want to be mistaken for an ornament. Have you ever noticed the similarity  between our esteemed skipper:

And King Kong?

Love to you all! Lenie