On to the BVI's

We had a lovely anchorage in St Kitts.   A little cove where we had been before.   After a short nights sleep, we headed out at odark thirty towards St Martin.  Once again, the seas and winds were not as forecasted and we had a pretty rotten trip.   But we made it to Marigot Bay in St Martin around 3 pm.     Yeah!  First order of business was to customs, get ice and internet connection.

Mr. Fixit down in the starboard engine checking the oil.   

Another First.   We went into the lagoon with Gary of sv Capulet and did some shopping at marine stores and had lunch.   We were low on gas but decided we could make it back to the boat so we did not put any in the tank.   WRONG MOVE!!   We ran out.   It was hysterical.   Kirk was ready to start rowing and Gary said hell no and tilted the gas tank so what was left in the tank could get to the pick up.   We then motored very slowly towards the boat.  This picture is after we made it back to the boat and they were straining the last bit a sludgy gas from the tank.

When we first anchored in the bay I did not see any starfish.  This was disturbing to me.  We moved a bit to be closer to the wifi signal and the next morning here was one right by the chain.   There was no wind so you could see most clearly.  i believe all the little wrinkles in the sand are from the chain.

Up and over we go.

Safely on the other side of the chain.   Whew!

We left St Martin at 3:30 am and headed to Virgin Gorda.  We sailed part of the way  but the storms and seas were not in our favor.   Had the drill of dropping the sails in large waves and big winds.  Practice makes perfect.

We made it to Virgin Gorda and anchored next to Prickley Pear Island facing Saba Rock.  Was so excited to see these flamingos.  Have only ever seen them in Anegada prior.

They were getting ready to leave.

One of the reasons we left St Martin when we did was because of a wave that was coming and we would have been stuck there for a week or so.  So we had to prep the boat for 30 to 40 knot squall winds.

Two bridle lines from the boat to the anchor rode.

Second anchor on the bow in case it is needed.

Additional anchor rode out of the locker and on deck.

Rising Sun  453 foot yacht

While all this work was going on we had a double rainbow to our left and Rising Sun come into the harbor on our right.   

   

Mr. Fixit with the sun going down.

Heading to Nevis/St Kitts

Approaching Nevis with a cloud cover on the top of the mountain

We were heading to Nevis/St Kitts today based on the weather forecast.  However, as usual the weather men were way off and we had seas from the side that rolled the boat, and less then 10 knots of wind that was mostly from directly behind the boat which makes the boat not sail.  Every once and a while a squall would come by and we would get some wind.   The day progressed with sails up, sails down, engines on, engines off, roll and pitch.   Was not a very comfortable ride. I saw a fish jump out of the water chasing the flying fish.   It was the first time I have seen this after watching the flying fish for two years.   It jumped three times chasing the flying fish.  

 To break up the boredom Kirk had two fishing lines out.   He was getting discouraged and said to me "This fishing ain't all it's cracked up to be."  Shortly after that I heard the reel spinning.  He hopped on down to find all of the line out and down to the plastic line and it was going out FAST.....   I helped him get the belt on and slowed the boat down.   He worked hard for a while.  When he finally got the fish up to the boat he was hollering for me to get the camera.  This is what I saw

It was a 4 - 5 foot atlantic spearfish.  It was beautiful.   I am so sorry I did not get a better picture.   The boat was rolling and pitching and the durn fish kept trying to get under the boat.  All the while I was supposed to be driving the boat.  It finally did get under the boat and snapped the leader.  Made for some excitement!

Kirk still working with the fish.

On to St Martin tomorrow.

On and On We Go

From the confines of the marina in Rodney Bay we headed north to the island of Martinique.  We headed for the anchorage of Anse D'Arlet on the south end of the island.  We had been there before and liked it.  Nice quiet, nothing going on, clear, clean water and you can clear into the country.  We spent most of our day tacking to avoid some serious storms.   We got in lots of practice on tacking as there were many storms. We finally arrived, picked up the mooring ball from the stern of the boat (another first), lowered the dingy and Kirk headed into shore to clear into the country only to find out that the customs facility was closed!.  So we just kept the Q flag up and spent the night.

Early the next morning we headed to St Pierre.  Another beautiful anchorage with clear clean water.  We visited the DePaz Distillery once again and enjoyed the views of the volcano mountain and town.

Up and away early the next morning past Dominica to Isle Des Saintes (The Saintes) at the southern end of Guadeloupe.

After much debate and weather studies, we were up and off again to Deshaise at the northern end of Guadeloupe.

One more time we were up and off again early in the morn to head towards Antigua.  It was alot of travel but you need to go when the weather windows allow.  These weather windows were not the greatest and if we were not heading St Thomas we probably would not have traveled and just hung out.  

We have been entertained by the birds trying to catch the flying fish throughout most of the trip since we left St Lucia.

We have hanging out in Antigua getting a much needed rest while the weather settles.

On our walk down the mountain from the DePaz distillery in St Pierre Martinique we came upon these guys hanging Christmas decorations.   My they were pretty far up.  Maybe 4 stories just hanging off the edge of the roof.  Notice the Santa already installed.

Looking down into the river that the road follows from the distillery.  When we first left the distillery, we came upon a man talking to another man on the side of the road.   He was carrying a bag and a cutlass.   After a greeting, he reached into his bag and pulled out some kind of fruit peeled a section off and offered it to us.  Kirk was not real fond of if, however I found it most interesting and he then peeled the rest of the fruit and offered it to me.   I thought for sure we were going to have to pay him for his goods but no he smiled and kept on walking.  It was a sweet and yet tart fruit with spines sticking out from the seed in the middle.   I have no idea of what it was.  Moral of the story....  If someone is carrying a cutlass and you do not speak their language offers you fruit, take it.

Mt. Pelee (Martinique) with cloud cover.

Now starts Antigua

Looking down over English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour

Cool Bench.   Very skinny!!

This tavern was at the top of the mountain at Shirley Heights.  Was cute and quaint.  

This yellow finch flew in and sat for a while on the cash register.

Pics of the sail loft pillars.  Kirk says they are famous.  They are in the famous Nelson's Dockyard.  Truthfully, this really did not so much for me.   I guess from living in Annapolis area for all our lives we have become used the maritime history.

Google this is you want more info.

This view was really spectacular.  Behind us is English Harbour.  The long skinny building near the end of the peninsula is Eric Clapton's house.   We had a brief narrative by Luscious ( a woman who came out of the gift shop) telling us all the sights from this vantage point.  Was pretty interesting.

Luscious took this picture.   The pirate on the right is Gary from the sv Capulet.

Another view of Eric's house.

Can't get away from those pillars.

Yours truly, showing you the pillars in case you missed them!

We had a fun day.  Stopped at a beach bar on the way back and I walked the beach and got a beach fix.

Leaving Grenada

We left Grenada on a Tuesday morning in the wee hours.   We had moved from Mt. Hartman Bay around to St Georges to sail up the leeward side of Grenada. The seas were not so great but on we went. We had some great sails.  The first day we made it to Tyrrel Bay and cleared out of Grenada.  The second day we made it to Bequia.  (one of my favorite places)  Unfortunately, the water maker blew a part when we were in Bequia and so plans were altered.  The wind was with us and we sailed to Rodney Bay in St Lucia.   We saw 3 whales sunning themselves.  That was pretty cool.  They were just floating in the sea enjoying the calm seas and sun.  We saw a large pod of  porpoises feeding.  That was also pretty cool to watch.  A few came over to visit us for a bit.

Lucky for us there is a dealer for our watermaker in St Lucia.  We ordered parts while still in Bequia.  They were shipped on Thursday, arrived in St Lucia on Monday, cleared customs on Tuesday and hopefully today, Wednesday, they will be installed and work and we will be on our way. 

 We have had a stay at the dock which is a change.   The marina is nice, there is a good grocery store a dingy ride away.   We got some boat chores done while here that require water among others.

Kirk is helping the boat next door.   They were trying to install the wrong sail in a rolling furling mast.  

He figured it out, they found the correct sail.

Video Kirk took of the porpoises

No wind.   Note the wind gen in NOT moving

Calm waters reflect the marina lights at night

Another view of the lights at night

Full moon over the marina

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Full moon in the sun rise this morning.   I did not use a filter with the pic.  It really was blue.

On Holiday

MaryJane, Rick, Karen and Andy came for a visit to Grenada On November 2nd.   We had a blast.  Or at least I certainly did.   Was so great to spend girl time with MJ and Care Bear.  We hung out in Mt. Hartman Bay, sailed up the windward side (Atlantic Ocean side) of Grenada visited Carriacou and anchored in Tyrrel Bay, around to Union Island then to Tobago Cays, back to Union Island, then sailed back to Grenada on the leeward side to St Georges.  It was a busy 6 days filled with swimming, noodling, snorkeling, fishing, cooking, laughing, sailing, partying, etc with a few minutes of down time thrown in for good measure.

Second night on the boat, we had friends from Mt Hartman over to meet our friends.  Notice that Karen is holding Jack.

Jack the deserter is with his pal Kirk.  He loves Kirk!

MJ ready to snorkel

MJ buying Tobago Cays shirts.

The guys waiting on MJ to finish her purchases.

MJ and Care found a new sport.  Tie a line around you and float in the current on a noodle.   This is in Tobago Cays.  From the first time I saw this water I wanted to bring my friends here to enjoy. So so glad they made the trip.

Care Bear doing her best move!!

When I get the pictures of the whole group I will post them.

Was a great holiday!   Thanks for coming to visit.

Halloween

Trick or Treaters 

Paula of sv Scherzo and I decided to go as one another.   Here is Paula dressed in my clothes with hat and knee brace.  I wore her clothes with bandanas.  We laughed and laughed.  

Everyone who knew us thought it was hysterical.  We had a good time.

This is the puppy that fit in your hand about 6 weeks ago.   She has grown so big.  She was a bat for halloween.

Our friend Daryl of sv Alibi was a sea nettle.

Paula, Nicki and Donna

Sean, Paula, Scott (her husband) and Kirk.   Kirk was a cruise ship tourist.

All the costumes come from what you can scrounge up on your boat.   Was a fun night