Oldies On Tour

Up early had breakfast, decided to hunt down a drill in Tortola, Bvi’s we phoned first thing, and yes we have a 220v drill, so Jeff decided to stay in the bay, whilst we went over to the Bvi’s, no sails as it was on the nose, we chugged along at 3.5 knots, slowly but steadily, the log was working again, thanks to Jeff, scrubbing the underneath.

We arrived about midday, dropped anchor in Road Town, and Geoff nipped ashore, well actually he was four hours, he went from shop to shop looking for this drill, no one sold them, sorry sir, it was a mistake! As you can imagine Geoff was not happy, but he did come back with other things we needed, plus a brace and bit, maybe that would work.
Meanwhile back on the boat, where we had anchored was next door to a cruise ship, which decided to go out, I was left going in all directions, at one time, I thought the anchor had dragged, so I put the engine on, not sure what I would have done, but it made me feel safer. All the other boats were not affected just us, scary stuff.

Geoff came back, and we slipped quietly out of the harbour, and back to St.John’s, making 6 knots on the jib, with the wind behind us, very good.

Couldn’t find a buoy, so we anchored, and were then told that we couldn’t anchor there, because we were not 200 ft away from the buoys, we have a sergeant major, in charge of the bay this week-end. We took anchor up again, and put it down further back.

Jeff caught up with us, just in time to have some dinner, cold meat and salad. Then Jeff made us pancakes, which were lovely.

Up early and the boys went ashore to do the last minute internet, me I was happy loitering on my own. Made ready to leave, so all we had to do was lift the anchor, they seemed to take for ages, but when they arrived we quickly lifted the anchor, the only problem was a large piece of dead coral came up with it. I had to go round in circles, until Geoff and Jeff managed to free us from it.

We motored most of the way, as it was on the nose, Jeff got lunch, and eventually we entered Leimester Bay, one of my favourite spots.

Having waited for the buoy whilst someone was preparing to leave, we picked it up, and then another boat, nearer the shore, left so we dropped that one, and went to the other one. Now we are happy and settled.

A swim was called for, as we were all very hot, Geoff tried his new flippers out, and they were brilliant, he can get them on and off, without a fight. This place is so magical, we saw two Southern stingray’s, turtles, flounders, barracuda’s, star fish, butterfly fish, snappers, tuna and at one point, we were swimming amongst, thousands and thousands of baby fish, all different colours and sizes, the coral is alive and doing well here, because it is a protected area. Brilliant, brilliant, nothing more to add. If the fish here would go to Barbuda that would be my idea of heaven.

Back to the boat, and the boys started working on the platform for the generator, didn’t get far, as they needed a drill, Jeff managed to saw the wood to size, but we really must find a 220v drill they are all 110, no good for this boat.

I prepared dinner, and we sat and enjoyed a roast in this lovely quiet bay, then played dominoes, which I lost badly, and Jeff won all but one game, which Geoff won. So to bed Zebedee.

Up early and had a lovely swim around the boats, we looked at our anchor which seems to be lodged in some coral, should be fun when we leave.

After breakfast we went into town, to buy some gas, flippers (fins) Geoff’s are too small for him, general bits, and found another café, where we can drink our tea in peace without being harassed to have another coffee.

Back on board did some little jobs, I made some pizza’s we are experimenting what the boys can have going across Atlantic, and pizza’s can take all sorts of odds and sods, anyway they were nice.

Played dominoes and crib, and it was a very close match, I think I won.

Geoff and I swam to shore this morning, then walked around to the next bay, to have a look at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, very posh, we then swam back, feel better now, lots of fish to look at on route, and very refreshing first thing in the morning. Jeff had also been snorkeling.

We then had breakfast, and started our jobs; Jeff fixed the stern shower, and hose, with the new bits, whilst Geoff started fixing a cigarette switch to take extra bilge pump, and outside spotlight for emergencies. I did the washing, ironing, and cleaning our cabin, so we have been busy all day, Jeff fiddled with the wind generator to find out what and if it was giving any amps, so all in all a good working day.

We have two rave parties on the beach, both competing with each other, so very noisy, so we are just running the generator, just to block some of their noise out. They don’t normally go on very late, as it is a family thing, thank goodness.

Up early, quick breakfast, then into the dinghy to try our luck at the local bus system. We went into the local chandlery, which was not very good, and they told us to go to Budget, and where to catch the local bus (Safari). We waited outside the chandlery, and sure enough came an open bus, not the top, just the sides, we were minding our own business, and noticed we had passed the Budget shop, quick ring of the bell, bought the bus to a stop, and off we popped, he charged us 2$ each, we found out later it should have only be 1$, good luck to him, it still cheaper than hiring a car. We found lots of the bits we wanted, and asked the lady how we got to Home Depot; again we wait by the side of the road, until another Safari came along. We hopped on, and fortunately a lady heard us asking if it went to Home Depot, and she told us where to get off. We walked up the hill, and there in front of us, could have been B & Q, same colours, same overalls, same everything. We found what we wanted, some wood to put the generator on, but they would not cut the bit any smaller, so I suggested we got a taxi back, after all we had saved 100$. So we walked back down the hill, with this wood, when a bus came a long, it stopped and we jumped on, wood and all. We then got back to the Marina for a total of 4$, so with all our savings, we had some lunch at Molly Malone’s.

Back to the boat, after some shopping and internet, then we went for a swim, I cooked dinner, then we all had an early night as we were shattered, the heat got to us a bit today.