Oh boy, how time has rushed on!!
It is likely that we will be leaving Antigua and the Caribbean at the end of the week for the Azores. It’s about 2,300 miles and has taken Chris 33 days (first trip) and 26 days (second trip) so I’ll not be in touch for most of May, if not a little while longer. If necessary, we may even miss the islands out and head straight for the UK – I hope not, it’s another 1,300 miles but if the weather says it’s best not to stop then on we go!!
It is likely that we will be leaving Antigua and the Caribbean at the end of the week for the Azores. It’s about 2,300 miles and has taken Chris 33 days (first trip) and 26 days (second trip) so I’ll not be in touch for most of May, if not a little while longer. If necessary, we may even miss the islands out and head straight for the UK – I hope not, it’s another 1,300 miles but if the weather says it’s best not to stop then on we go!!
Martinique
We stayed in Martinique for nearly a month, met up with our friends Jim and Carol (from Trinidad on Nepenthe) who came over for an afternoon. Unfortunately, on the way back to Nepenthe their outboard would not start and we towed them most of the way back - about 2 miles – no mean feat for our little outboard – luckily both Jim and Carol are slim people!
We stayed in Martinique for nearly a month, met up with our friends Jim and Carol (from Trinidad on Nepenthe) who came over for an afternoon. Unfortunately, on the way back to Nepenthe their outboard would not start and we towed them most of the way back - about 2 miles – no mean feat for our little outboard – luckily both Jim and Carol are slim people!
We had had trouble with our electronic steering and Chris managed to sort that out – a great relief as the wind vane was also playing up and we would not be able to and steer all the way home. He also changed the fan belt on the engine as we had had some squealing noises from it. While doing that, we appeared to get a mysterious leak that then went away. I was busy too finishing the curtains (from material I’d bought in Trinidad) and making some sheets and pillowcase from lovely madras cotton I bought in Martinique.
Dominica
It was an overnight sail to Dominica and although it was mostly motor sailing it was a good trip and dolphins came to play for a few minutes at the end of my early morning watch – a wonderful reviver when getting tired.
We took two trips here:
The first up the Indian River rather magical as no motors are used and it feels just as it would have done as the main route for the Carib Indians who had lived there.
It was an overnight sail to Dominica and although it was mostly motor sailing it was a good trip and dolphins came to play for a few minutes at the end of my early morning watch – a wonderful reviver when getting tired.
We took two trips here:
The first up the Indian River rather magical as no motors are used and it feels just as it would have done as the main route for the Carib Indians who had lived there.
The second was a tour round the island – a little disappointing as we went through the Kalinago territory (an area given to the Carib people) where we had hoped to see the Caribs carrying out their traditional craft work but that does not appear to happen anymore and we only saw them selling their wares at roadside stalls. It was good to see round the island though, visit the Emerald Pool, see the amazing roadside plants of brilliant red, taste the jelly nut water (very young green coconuts) and see the beaches on the east coast of the island.
Antigua
We had hoped to visit the small island group Iles des Saintes – part of (French) Guadeloupe but time had got on and we decided to sail straight for Antigua which took about 24 hours and again away part sail, part motor and art motor sail and pretty rolly and bouncy all the way.
We knew it was Antigua Classic Race week but had not expected to arrive during a race. It was quite an amazing sight to see the old boats racing and heeling as they tacked – almost round us!! The Parade of Sail was on the Sunday after we arrived but unfortunately, I had been told the wrong day and sadly missed it.
We had hoped to visit the small island group Iles des Saintes – part of (French) Guadeloupe but time had got on and we decided to sail straight for Antigua which took about 24 hours and again away part sail, part motor and art motor sail and pretty rolly and bouncy all the way.
We knew it was Antigua Classic Race week but had not expected to arrive during a race. It was quite an amazing sight to see the old boats racing and heeling as they tacked – almost round us!! The Parade of Sail was on the Sunday after we arrived but unfortunately, I had been told the wrong day and sadly missed it.
But perhaps it was no bad thing- as we were checking the batteries that morning to see if we had power to charge my computer Chris noticed that the solar panels were showing as not putting ANY charge in -ie not working!!! Not MORE problems!!! After checking the connections in the regulator box Chris checked the battery terminals and found the answer – there was lots of water in the bilges and it had shorted out the connection. That was quickly solved and an investigation into the water began. Yes, it was mysterious leak – now not so mysterious! Chris closed the engine seacock so no more could come in and then took off the pump. The seals had gone and although he was sure he has some on board we just could not find them.
We took a bus trip to St Johns (the capital) and Chris managed to get some seals in an amazing workshop on the edge of town. PHEW!! They are a very tight fit so will wear quite quickly but should be fine for the trip back (and he got some spares too!)
We took a bus trip to St Johns (the capital) and Chris managed to get some seals in an amazing workshop on the edge of town. PHEW!! They are a very tight fit so will wear quite quickly but should be fine for the trip back (and he got some spares too!)
We are now stocking everything up with the idea of leaving very soon. I’m finding the idea of 2,300 miles rather daunting as it’s a lot further than I’ve been before and certainly will be the longest trip.
So, I’ll say farewell for now and I'll be in touch again in the Azores!!!
So, I’ll say farewell for now and I'll be in touch again in the Azores!!!
Marker shows position of the Azores!!!!