February 23rd, 2018
sunrise
February 23rd, 2018
bush walk
February 23rd, 2018
Barracuda
This is Barry the Barracuda through the Bathiscope - he stayed under us for three days
February 23rd, 2018
Water
As you can see Tracey doesn't mind being on the water. The tragedy is that she hates being in it so we drift/row around and she looks into the water through a bathiscope which is just brilliant as its like snorkelling without getting wet!
February 23rd, 2018
George Town
So, here we are anchored off George Town where we have been for a few days waiting for our daughter Liv and boyfriend Adam to come and visit for a fortnight. Its been good fun, lots of swimming, walking and jobs on board.
February 13th, 2018
A rest
As you can see from the picture we are in a stunning anchorage and there is a really nice watering hole to go with it. Cape Santa Maria resort, Long Island Bahamas has made us very welcome and we have chosen to stay at anchor here for a few days to relax.
'RELAX' I hear you say 'RELAX' and with good reason but perceptions never quite marry up with reality do they. For sure we have had the trip of our lives so far and wouldn't change it for the world. But it's been pretty full on for we left Europe just over two months ago and in that time, we have done 32 nights at sea and all two handed. I've just worked it out and we have averaged the equivalent of Salcomb to Guernsey on a daily basis! I think Tracey is a proper sailor now!
With that in mind I trust you will understand why we need to stop, recharge, potter and catch up with all those jobs that get set aside when busy. I am doing a full engine service with new impeller this afternoon and went up the mast this morning amongst other little jobs. We have caught up with washing the big stuff like sheets and towels - the rest is done by hand on a daily basis. I have dived on the bottom to scrub it and check the anodes and prop.
Up till now we have had an afternoon nap for having done the heavy lifting and eased up its all caught up with us. Time is now filled with the pleasure of being able to pop ashore for a big meal or a midday cold one. We had pancakes this morning with a mix given to us by Linda and Bob who we have become friends. The pancakes were dripping in Maple Syrup donated by our friends JP and Joan who are anchored just by us.
Bob is a keen pilot and yesterday morning he gave us a personal fly by at the anchorage. It was such a thrill and we look forward to taking them for a sail when we get to Nantuket or before. We always thought that the people we meet would be a big part if this trip and it's nice to see this to be the case.
Tonight, we are hosting drinks on 'Pearl' at sunset with JP, Joan, Matt and Lyn who sailed in yesterday. Matt has been diving on the reef and caught a bucket of Lobster so they will be bringing fresh Lobster Canapes - let's hope we get the green flash to go with it.
February 5th, 2018
Turks and Caicos
Made it to the Turks and Caicos islands which are stunning with the most amazing water and in turn swimming.
I was being eyed up by a big Barracuda which was a bit unsettling as he wasn't at all scared of me when I swam towards him. In fact he went from side on to pointing straight at me which I have since heard is a sign of eminent attack. The locals are more frightened of them than sharks so it was an interesting encounter. Fortunately I had my unique counter measures on my side in that a 'Fat old Cornishman ' doesn't look that appetising!
We arrived in Cockburn Harbour on the east side of the Islands after a three night sail from the BVI's. Good easy sailing but a bit lacking on the sleep stakes as there are a lot of banks and reefs in that area. I saw a huge Humpback whale breach in the near distance with a mighty splash as it came back down. This area is also littered, literally, with cruise ships of gargantuan size. One had a massive outdoor film screen so I had a few minutes of some action film though the binoculars.
The Turks and Caicos Island water is the clearest water I have ever seen with every hue of blue as the sand banks below wax and wane in depth. The odd area of seagrass bringing dark patches of contrast and coral heads look like billiard balls in random place after the first break. I say billiard balls for the main feature of the Island is a forty mile bank of sand which fills the gap between the east and west islands at a depth of about two and a half meters.
We crossed it yesterday to make landfall at Providentcials after one of the best sails we have had so far. Once we had felt our way through the coral heads to the clear part of the bank a lively wind saw us making 6-7knts in flat sea's. The water so clear it felt as if we were low level flying as we dodged the odd corral head. We sat on the coach roof in the shade of the mainsail drinking tea as this magic carpet rolled out underneath us, it was just amazing.
After dropping anchor we hit the beach, literally, and found ourselves a nice little restaurant to top the day off with my first 'Surf n Turf'. Good food, a lovely view over the nature reserve and excellent company in the form of JP and Joan. We met in Spanish Town on the BVI's and have been loosely sailing in company ever since and they are a joy.
February 5th, 2018
Goodbye BVI's
