This is the end!

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Non such bay in Antigua is a huge inlet. There is one main anchoring area, off green island next to a perfect sandy cay. In the anchorage were a number of massive boats, huge almost ships. There was a boat which we called phileas fog, maybe it was used in the movie, well boat, but really a small ship. There were fantastic yachts, with crews running round dressed in khaki shorts and white t shirts. If the rain fell they were out with their chamois leathers. (just like us of course(!)) We anchored and the sea was so flat, we had a very good nights sleep. I had a swim when we arrived. The next morning we did a circumnavigation of the bay in our dinghy, it is huge, with big inlets going into lagoons. There was so much development around the inlet. There were loads of small apartments being built, but very few looked finished or occupied. Ther eare some amazing villas on headlands, and by the side of the inlets. We could not understand why they are building such ugly developments. Anyway it was quite interesting and then back to the boat for the sail up to falmouth.
Neil and Josie had left, but our other friends richard and jan were still there. We went up to Shirley heights, met David and jan and Mike and
Viv, friends of Traceys auntie, trevor, corinne, far too many rum punches later we all staggered home. Next day David and Jan Mike and Viv came to the boat, we had a lovely lunch and the sun shone down as we passed the afternoon.
Next day we went to jackies cafe for breakfast, saw the bus and decided to catch the bus to st johns to try and buy mum's birthday present. I really enjoy the bus trips in the island, and this one was no exception. Everyone who gets on the bus greets the passengers and smiles. The rain was torrential all the way there. I was interested to see a man with a tray full of things that looked like pasties get on the bus, then off a few stops later. We stopped outside a house and a girl came very slowly walking to the bus and picked up her shopping. The bus driver stopped to harangue someone who was mending his radio, had taken too long. You shout 'bussstop'when you want to get off. It was funny. Then arriving at st john, it was cruise ship day, so different from our last visit when it was market day for the locals. The town was taken over with souvenir stalls, selling absolute tatt and bars were open, street vendors selling rubbish jewellery. We did find something sweet for mum. Then home again, back to the boat, ready to go out to dinner with trevor and corinne to the mad mongoose. Very good evening, those nightcaps were not a good idea though!!
We left next morning and Trevor gave us a great send off with his horn.
Jolly harbour,
We tied onto a buoy for the last few nights, a bit of last minute shopping, started to sort out the boat. Went for a swim and then in the evening we went out with david and jan, mike and viv, they very kindly took us out for a meal. It was a lovely evening.
Delroy came round int he morning, he is such anice person, he will do all the stowing away of the boat the next day. we took down a few bits and peices and then went to the beach for lunch and a relax.

Going home and why liat are a pain

So we motored over to the travel hoist at 6.45 am, how sad to be going, a perfect morning, sea flat, not a ripple, temperature perfect, sun just beginning to warm. We were expecting a taxi at 7 am and just as we were about to step off the boat the boatyard staff came by to say could we move the boat into the slip area, we did that, now it was 7,10 and no sign of the taxi, panic, moi? well may be. All the staff helped to get the taxi, who was actually waiting in the wrong place. We left the boat as they were just beginning to put the strops round the hull to lift it. bye bye.

The traffic was horrendous, the taxi driver decided totry a mountain road to miss it and get to the airport in time. Unfortunately his clutch was slipping and he seemed to get slower and slower. it seemed as if any moment it would burn right out. We could see the airport in the distance, it seemed a long way away. B ut eventually we did get there. We checked in for our Liat flight to st lucia. The boatyard staff had been joking with us about liat, 'We say it stands for Leaves island, any time' No we said, 'We've heard it means, luggage in another terminal' ha ha! The little plane was well ahead of schedule, good seats, and a great view of the islands , guadaloupe, martinique, les saintes, and then st lucia, how much easier in a plane. The sea looked so calm and blue. The manager of the marina was ont he flight so we had alittle chat with him. Then to st lucia, domestic terminal at Castries. The trip home started to be not so good when one of our bags did not turn up., i actually got very agitated and alan had to tell me to calm down, but i knew what was int he case. They said they would go out and check the plane, but it was not there, they said. So fill in a form and feeling depressed left for the hour and a half taxi drive to the next terminal. It was a lovely drive, St lucia is such alush island, banana plantations, tropical vegetation, and lovely views of the windward coast. But we were still upset about our case, all the dive stuff in it, the computers, all kinds of software etc etc. We went to the airport and saw the luggage co ordinater who was a very very helpful girl and tracked the bag to st vincent, the place the plane had gone to next....Iknew it was on the plane!! It would not get back in time for us to take it so would have to be forwarded to the uk. Guess what,. we are still waiting for it!!

Then we went to the reef hotel on the beach and sat in the sun for 2 hours and drank daquaris, and beer to calm me!! It was great. Then back to the airport for the virgin flight. It was really quick, we really had no sleep and bos picked us up and we were home by 8 am. brilliant, back to bed for a few hours. It seemed so odd not to ring mum straight away, but the suprise was for us to appear at her birthday tomorrow unexpectedly. Everyone knew about the suprise.
Today has been a lovely day. Mum was really suprised and we had a lovely lunch,. i managed not to cry and so did she. and ron, judy alex natalie, and natalies boyfriend were there. we went to the pub at abbotsbury and then had more friends, it was a lovely day. So home at last, calm and then walked the dog at the sailing academy, my god it is cold.
T

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Photos

SAILING OFF BEQUIA
The local photographer took this really good photo, when I get my case back will put the rest on.

Comments

[Linda Hayler]

hello eleanor!!
Hi Eleanor Dont know if you will get this but we will be coming down to Weymouth on June 22nd to see your mum and aunt Joan. (kill two birds with one stone) We will be bringing Dad as well to visit the girls. Would love to see you both if you are still in the uk. See you then maybe Linda xxxxxx