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Published: April 6th 2008
We finally escaped St Martin. We had some good news. Our auto pilot could be fixed without having to wait for parts from the States. It is amazing what you can achieve when they want the dock space. After about 10 trips to the supermarket and a lot of hair pulling trying to work out where to put every thing, we were all provisioned ready to go.
We said goodbye to our friends knowing that we would catch-up in a week or so. The first stop was Friars bay on the west side of St Maarten (French Side). We wanted too test out the autopilot before wandering too far from Simpson’s Lagoon. From there we sailed around to Road Bay in Anguilla. The winds were directly behind us so Si took the opportunity to test out the spiniker pole to hold out the head sail. It worked a treat and cruised along nicely. Road Bay was lovely. We spent a day chilling out; I sewed a strap for the spinnaker pole (attached topping lift and down brace) while Si set up the preventer for the Main sail and the down brace for the Head Sail.
We had a few
hours sleep before heading off at midnight for the BVI’s. It was a sensational sail with 15 to 20 knot winds and 1 to 2 meter seas. The moon rose shortly after our departure and added to the serenity. We reached the north of Virgin Gorda around 1pm and sailed past Richard Branson’s island. We arrived in Spanish Town around 3pm. Customs was closed (being Sunday) so settled in for the evening. Being Sunday night, pizza night, I made my first ever pizza (I have become Susie homemaker).
The following day we anchored across from a bay with palm trees and white sand…heaven. We waited until about 3.30pm and took the dingy around to the Baths. It is a collection on giant granite boulders that are partially in the sea. It is a major tourist attraction hence the reason for leaving it late in the day. We had a snorkel around, not much in the way of coral but there are some really cool fish. We swam to shore and walked through the caves. Very cool.
That night the weather turned and we got woken to some serious swell. We did an early run to Peter’s Island as
we heard that it was relatively protected. It must have been blowing 35+. We dragged anchor about three times before we but out a stern anchor to stop from hunting. It worked a treat and we pretty much did nothing for the next couple of days. The bad weather continued so went to Road Town, Tortola to visit Giles. Giles was the fellow who sold us Woodsia so it was great to put a face to a name. We had a yummy lunch (it was a treat not to have to cook) and stayed on the Moorings dock for the night.
The next morning we left early for Bight Bay on Norman’s Island, otherwise known as Treasure Island. It is still blowing hard but at least the sun has come out. We have a nice anchorage that is relatively protected. We have been swimming and snorkeling and generally enjoying life. Sure beats 9 to 5!!!! We had a squall come through this morning that clocked 40 knots that flipped the dingy. Fortunately we where up and witnessed it happen. Can't say that Si's crocs and my thongs had a happy ending. They are on the way to the US
VI's.
Our friends are arriving from St Martin early this week. The wind has been so bad they did not open the Simpson Lagoon Bridge to let boats out so they have been stuck their. We intend to stay for another week before heading to the Panama. That is when things are really going to get interesting.
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ananda`
non-member comment
hey cruisers
finally worked out how to get on to your blog...well okay russel helped me, he loves reading sailing blogs. THats russel my friend greer's partner, cause I know what you were thinking,,and well you never know because I have an actual DATE tomorrow! but actually i think this is public to the entire world wide web so no details ..but anyway the point is am following your trip, wonderful to check you out, great to hear you are doing so very sportsmen like, and tally ho shall check your lovely selves out again soon ; when feeling like making more sense.. love to you both