Oldies On Tour

Geoff went off to return the car, Brian went to pay the Marina, whilst Jeff and I prepared for going to sea, we then had breakfast, and set off back to St.John’s, it looked like it was going to be a better day, hopefully.

We slipped away quietly, no fuss, out into the twisty channel, then headed back to the other Islands, St.Croix is out on a limb, and not many people go to see them, they made us very welcome, and I glad we made the effort to go there.

We soon had all the sails up, and a very nice sail was had, it was a bit wallowy, the waves were about 6’, but we managed average of about 6.5knots, which was not bad, the sun was shining, not a rain cloud in sight which was good. We left at 10.00am, and arrived about 3.30pm, it took longer, as the wind was not so strong, but we all enjoyed it. Geoff cooked lunch on route again, which we all enjoyed accept Brian; he was feeling a bit queasy.

We are in a lovely quiet bay, with not many boats, Geoff took Brian and Robina ashore, as they wanted a walk, Jeff went for a snorkel, and saw a turtle, I did some ironing, and cooked dinner, then quickly went for a swim with Geoff.

We had dinner, and then played a game of crib, Robina had said she would get her revenge, which she did; they won 2-0 so now all is square. Mind you Brian was still feeling poorly, but we did not use that as an excuse for being beaten!

Up early Geoff went to collect the car from the garage, I prepared breakfast, and we all had grapefruit and porridge.

We left around 10.00am and set off with the normal tourist guide as navigation, this time it was a bit trickier, as the Island was bigger, and Brian could not follow where we were. We were planning to go along the North coast, but we ended up in the South, so back we went, eventually we were back on the North coast and headed for Salt River Bay, this is where Christopher Columbus supposedly arrived in the USA. It was a very pretty place, with lots of yachts tucked away in the river.

Geoff was desperate for a coffee, which we could not find anywhere, so we headed west, eventually coming out to this isolated place, where we got some drinks, and Wi-Fi.

We did the normal thing, and went into a private beach club, where Geoff asked if we could get a drink there, we did not want one, we just wanted to be nosy, not as nice as the one we went on St.Maartins, we did get out and walk around, but not sunny enough to have a swim.

Heading west we decided to go to the Rainforest, just as we started going, we found this unique place where you can feed pigs a tin of beer, they would open it and drink it, then spit the can out. Outside was a memorial to Buster, the first pig he apparently died of alcoholic poisoning, they now give the pigs alcohol free beer, although it was funny to watch, not sure I approved. Beside this spectacle, which you pay 1$ to see and 2$ for a can of beer they had a very dark bar, where we had a drink, and a roti, as Brian and Robina had never tried them.

Leaving the pigs behind, we went through the rainforest and on to Frederiksted, which is the second largest town, I was not terribly impressed, it was very run down, with lots of places needing TLC. We then went to the Whim Estate, it was now 4.15pm, and they had closed for business at 4pm, we decided to walk around, no one stopped us, and it was very interesting, it was an old sugarcane plantation, with the wind-mill, and furnaces, it was a shame we had missed the guide, because we would have enjoyed that.

We then went onto the Botanical Gardens that also were closing in 15 minutes but she would not let us in, but we looked through the hedge, and decided we probably had saved ourselves some money there.

We travelled along the south coast passing the second or third largest Oil refinery in the world, which is amazing for such a small Island, petrol is under 3$ a gallon.

We then went east to Point Udall, which is the furthest point east of the whole of USA territories; they had a millennium monument there.

Well what a day we had, very interesting, it is a lovely Island, and I am glad we took the 70 mile round trip to get here by sea. The Island is clean, tidy, and definitely not poor like some of the Caribbean Islands.

Back to the boat for dinner, a mix of pizza, and left over lasagna, quick and easy very nice it was.

Then Geoff reminded Robina how to play crib, and we played doubles, Brian and I won 2 -1, it was funny at the end, because it was down to the last few points, and Robina was very quick to take her points, and jubilant that they were home, then Brian said, should I have not gone first, dejected Geoff thought about it, and realized that we had won and not them, hard luck you two, better luck tomorrow.

Up early getting ready to leave, everything ship shape, we need to get some fuel and water, so we took the anchor up, and motored over to the fuel dock, we arrived too early and caused mayhem at the dock, another boat was booked on at 8am, and they were getting very stressed that we were in there way, when they asked us nicely we moved, but before that the other skipper was bellowing and moaning for us being there. The manager of the marina, came over and asked us nicely if we would move, so we did, no problem, but the skipper was so arrogant before, then he became all smarmy and horrible, what is the point, life is too short.

We left the fuel deck about 9.45am, and we pulled out of the bay, around two huge cruise ships, then out into open seas, we had discussions about which sails to use, I said we would put the jib out, and see how we got on, we then set the main sail, all the sails 7.5 knots, wind was gradually getting up, so suggested we took some main in, which we did, half main full jib, we were still doing a constant 7 knots. Ahead we could see a squall, so we decided to take some jib in as well, so ¾ jib, ½ main, we were still achieving 7 knots, but now the rains had come, and the seas were very rough, the seas were about 6ft – 7ft, hitting us occasionally, only Brian and I left on deck everyone had abandoned us, with sails reefed, we were still doing 7.3knots, the rains came even heavier, we were soaked to the skin, and getting colder, only ten miles to go, and it looked as if it was going to get brighter. Meanwhile down below, Geoff was struggling in the galley, trying to do frankfurters with onions in a roll, and they were lovely, although Brian and Robina declined, not sure they were feeling that special.

We arrived about 3.30pm, and meandered our way around the channel, eventually coming to a marina, we have decided it is too windy and wet for anchoring, luxury. I went straight down below and had a shower to get out of my wet gear.

We tidied up and Brian and Robina went for a walk, Jeff went for a row, and we started dinner. Then the heavens really opened, it rained and rained, so hard, we had to close everything, even the washboards were in, it lasted about 1hr, it was seriously bad rain, never had it so bad.

We ate our dinner down below, roast chicken and all the trimmings, then we just relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Early night as we were all shattered.

Happy Birthday Norm, hope you had a good one.

We were up early, doing odd jobs, before the new inmates arrive, we cleaned bathrooms, and general hovering up, then off to the internet.

We sent the usual logs, then we waited for Brian and Robina to arrive, we sat and had a beer, until they turned up, then we had lunch at the Fat Turtle, steak sandwich, with peppers, onions, and chips it was lovely.

Geoff took everyone back to the boat, whilst I went to the supermarket; we have decided to go to St.Croix tomorrow, so we need some provisions. Geoff came and picked me up, and we dropped the shopping off, before walking around town, it is a lovely place, with lots of small alleyways, and interesting shops, including lots of diamond jewelers, which I was not allowed in. We had an ice-cream, watched the sea-plane come in and out, then back to the dinghy, and to the boat.

For dinner we had a Geoff’s special, lasagna, and it was lovely, we had a bottle of wine, and then took and early night, as everyone was tired.

Generator on early, to make toast, we are gradually testing all electrical appliances, to see if they work, yes that seems ok, switch the thing of though I want breakfast in peace.

After breakfast Geoff and I went into the Marina, to see if we could get internet, and to do Customs, that was fun. We went to the office to find they only open certain times; so we would have to come back at 1pm, so we went to the supermarket, which was brilliant, the first one we have seen for a while, that you could buy most things in, including milk. So we know where to go to stock up before Geoff leaves for the big trip home, he is getting excited now, and planning various things, and is happier now we have the new generator.

Jeff stayed on board, and finished the woodwork in front and back cabins, so the head linings are back to looking good again.

We walked back with all the shopping to the Customs office, we waited and waited, but no one turned up, we then found out, that if there is no one to book in they do not come, so we have arranged to see them at 3pm. Back to boat to deliver the shopping, and then out again at 2.30pm, we did not want to miss them again. What a difference, it is booking in here, to the Bvi’s they are really friendly helpful, and they do not charge you, we will probably stay more this side then the other, need to do some exploring here anyway.

Back to the boat again, cleaned the forward cabin, made the bed, ready for Brian and Robina, cooked dinner, and then Geoff wanted to go out again, so when Jeff got back we went to the Fat Turtle for a drink, made a change, and our good weather has returned so we sat and watched the world go by.

Although it is not raining, it is one of England’s grey days, never had them here before, but it is not raining; We were up quite early as Jeff has to catch the 10.00am ferry, and we are heading to St.Thomas, only about 20 miles, but they are very interesting waters. Lots of rocks to miss, and twists and turns, and different passages to take, before you get there, good job we have a good navigator on board. This year we have a chart plotter, last year we only had paper charts, and it was a lot easier this time.

We left at 9.30, having dropped Jeff, and stored the dinghy away, no wind which was a shame, although it did get up later. We put the jib up, and eventually we were able to turn off the engine, it was lovely and peaceful, and very picturesque, then Geoff decided to put the generator on to see how it worked whilst moving, it was fine, so now we are back to status quo.

Several big ferries came past, I am sure they enjoy watching us go of course, trying to cope with their wake, just wish they would slow down a bit. We went through one narrow channel, which had maximum depth of 7metres, but rocks were everywhere including the middle of the channel, that was a bit scary, especially as another power boat would not move over.

We eventually arrived about 1.30pm, I love this place, it is so different, you have so much to see, you have the seaplanes, and ferries, one side, and cruise ships (3 today) on the other side, and lots of yachts in the middle of the big bay, the town is very old, with narrow streets, and busy with tourists, and in one corner of bay you have this amazing Grande Yacht Marina, where all the super yachts go, there dinghy’s are the size of the average boat. Last time we hired a car, and it took us less than 1 hour to go round it; amazing.

We anchored first time, although I thought we were too close to the buoy we settled down, to some lunch, boiled eggs, I thought one was off so threw it over board, but it hit Geoff instead, he had egg running down his face, I thought it was funny! Finished lunch, then we lowered dinghy, and emptied all the water out, somehow Geoff cut his head open, which did not look very nice, I did my first aid bit, I passed him some tissue, (still not good with blood). Eventually he left to pick up Jeff, who could only arrive on the Ferry, so he could get a visa waiver. No problems there, back on board, we had a couple of jobs for him. The anchor ball had somehow come unclipped and the rope had gone up the mast, so Jeff climbed up to retrieve, whilst we did the safety ropes.

Then On deck came over and asked us to leave, as they would be using the buoy later tonight, and it would be better to go now, then later, so we did. We found a lovely little spot in the far corner, sheltered from the wind, and closer to the land, so no rocking and rolling tonight hopefully.

I cooked roast chicken, with the help of the generator, so now we know the electric cooker works, so that is good, we sat outside and ate it, with no wind, or rain, it seems the low has passed over us, fingers crossed.

Geoff and I played crib, and I beat him 2 – 0, he was so disgusted he got his book out, so I did some Sudoku, and went to bed.