Oldies On Tour

Well our intentions were good, we were up early, we filled the tanks with water, whilst having breakfast, Geoff called the office, and they came and checked our meters etc., Geoff went and paid, then we started talking to next door, and we never got away until 10.00am, oh well, what does it matter.

First stop Soper’s Hole, Customs to book in, I went to the supermarket, and all the way the wind was on the nose, we were wondering where to go, if to stay in Leimester Bay for one night, or go straight to Josh Van Dyke, we were always going to come here for our last night, but we made two instead. We arrived about 4pm, we did put the staysail out, but it was still 40 degrees to the wind. Maybe we will get a sail when we leave here on Sunday.

We anchored ok, and then went for a swim, I was banned any snorkeling, so we had the noodles out, and bounced around the boat, it was lovely and warm.

I then cooked steaks they were lovely, with salad, followed by grapes, mind you we did have a bottle of wine, but then it is Friday.

Sadly the pills kicked in, and I fell asleep on deck, hopefully I will feel better in the morning.

Took a sleeping tablet last night, so bit drowsy this morning, but still feel rough, my throat and ears are hurting, think I might have an infection. We had breakfast, then the engineer came back to fix our generator, but sadly he couldn’t, so that was a waste of time and effort staying here.

We went up to the supermarket, to get some shopping for the next few days, then called into the chemist, I was hoping to get some anti-biotic, but no chance, without a prescription, I told the chemist I was flying out, so he gave me some stuff to clear the airways, we will have to wait and see.

Back to the boat with all the shopping, and unloaded everything, then we went into town to book ourselves out of America, we have had a lovely time here, we have been here since 8/3, which is quite a long time, we have been to other Islands, and we did sneak back to the Bvi’s without booking in. Anyway back to the Bvi’s tomorrow, we are having a couple of days in Josh Van Dyke, then Sunday we will pick up the crew, getting closer.

Geoff having trouble getting internet today, and being very grumpy, good job I cannot hear a lot!

We are having a quiet night tonight, an early night is called for, and hopefully I will feel better in the morning.

Up early as we are expecting the engineer to look at the wind generator, so we waited and waited, he just did not turn up, shouldn’t have paid him for the other job yesterday, how annoying is that. We had breakfast, then we washed down the deck, Geoff scrubbed whilst I held the hosepipe and the fairy liquid. I then finished the polishing, and did the chrome, the boat is immaculate now. Geoff put the generator away, and tidied up the bits left out from yesterday, he mended one of the safety torches, another one to go. All in all a good day for jobs, we are both really disappointed that the guy didn’t come back.

Gullible Girt Mum used to call me, and she is right, I still trust people to do as they say they will. We have a lovely couple come in next door to us, they are putting the boat on a ship to take it back to England, it is costing 19,000$ that is why Geoff is sailing it back.

We had our dinner, roast chicken tonight, then we played crib, Geoff beat me 2-1, it was because I am off colour with sore throat and ear ache, nothing to do with awful cards.

Had a shower, and then went to bed early, I am shattered tonight.

No swim this morning, I really miss it, still hopefully we will not be here long. We had our breakfast, then I started a tidy up, we seem to be in a mess again. Whilst doing this, I heard Vincent call, which was music to our ears, he looked at the generator, and said he could probably do something. The engine mounts were broken, which had dislodged the governors, something like that anyway. Vincent went back to his workshop and came along with four jet ski mounts, to see if they would do, they fitted perfectly, we only needed two in the end, after they had been fitted, we started up the generator, but we still had the same problem, it would not go to 220volts, so Vincent adjusted the governors, and yippee, it seems to work again, so fingers crossed that it will last another three weeks whilst they are crossing the pond. Vince then started looking at the wind generator; we might as well see if that can produce some output, at present it does not seem to do anything. He ran out of time; as he was due to see someone else at 1.30, so he is back in the morning.

We had beef chunks out of a tin, with mashed potatoes and vegetables, just wanted to see what was in the cans before we bought some more, the meat is very tasty, if a little frugal, but mixed with onions, and mushrooms, it will be good.

After lunch I did some more polishing, Geoff had scrubbed the deck for me, so everywhere is beginning to look good.

We had some more of Geoff’s chocolate fudge cake; it is very nice, but very sickly, even for me, nice with afternoon tea though.

Vincent popped back to say he would be with us at 8am tomorrow, so that is good, we than just did nothing for the rest of the day. I did my Sudoku, and Geoff was watching Sharpe.

Up early as usual, and swimming with the turtles, this time we saw them all, Daddy Turtle with the two fish on his back, then Mummy with one fish, then lots of babies, they were all there today, to say good bye to us, anyway, that is how it looked. Geoff tried to count the fish he got 448.442, I said there was more like 900, 00 so we have a slight difference of opinion, but let’s just say there were a lot to be seen. They were all on parade today, ready to say good bye to us, Geoff saw the stingrays which I didn’t but we both enjoyed our last snorkel in the bay.

Back to the boat, toast with the homemade bread from Geoff, which was lovely, but fattening, we then tidied up, and left, for Crown Bay in the hope of seeing Vince to fix the generator.

We arrived at midday, eventually got into the berth with Geoff getting very cross that he could not get back with the wind how it was, but we made it in the end, and tied up securely to the berth. We then phoned Vince in the hope that he would call today, and I started polishing the top side of the boat, Geoff did the cockpit. We waited and waited but Vince never turned up.

We had T/bone steaks for dinner, they were lovely, with salad, and a bottle of red wine, and I know it is not the week-end but sometimes you have to break the rules. Let’s hope tomorrow Vince turns up.

My sleep was disturbed at 6am, by a crowd of youngsters playing on the beach; they were thoroughly enjoying themselves, which I guess made it worthwhile, wish they had waited until 8am though. Couldn’t get back to sleep, so I read, and did some Sudoku, I have gone from the easy ones now to the very difficult, so quite chuffed, hope it keeps my brain active for another few years.

Geoff finally came too about 8am, and we went for our morning snorkel, we saw our turtles, although Geoff is trying to convince me they are not a family, I don’t care, and they are lovely to watch. We saw puff fish and strange tortoiseshell marking fish, we have lots of cards with fish on, but we cannot identify them.

After breakfast we went to Crown Bay, we left dinghy on shore, and off we went, we were only walking about five minutes, when it rained, we got absolutely soaked even though we had our kagouls on, we kept walking until a bus came along, and he dropped us outside the Marina, still raining, although not so hard. You get on and off buses where you want to, it is quite funny, and you pay the driver as you get off, he dropped us at traffic lights.

Into the bar for a coffee, then we decided to have a brunch, steak and eggs, it was lovely, we were drying off, and enjoying our food. We did some shopping, Geoff bought some new flip flops, and we bought some food.

Back on the bus, although it did not go as far as the one coming, so we had to walk up this very steep hill with all the shopping, Geoff’s face was a picture.

Back on board, provisions away, had a cuppa, and then went for another swim, Geoff found the biggest stingray to date, he thought it was chasing him, he was very wary, we saw the turtles again. Saturday night showers, just what we needed, bit chilly.

Geoff went to start generator to find the engine mountings are broken, so we have to get that fixed now, we have contacted a guy to see if we can meet.

Oh well Saturday night, bottle of wine, and time to chill out, despite what some of you think it is a tough old life here, especially when it rains, still at least it is warm rain. Geoff actually had a shower in the rain yesterday, anything to save water.

Tonight we played Rummikub, made a change; Geoff won 2-1, good games.