(Blog No.71)
Catou
Paul and Sylvie Tucker
Mon 25 Apr 2011 01:05
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18:21.32N 64:35.07W
After our lovely day anchored off Necker island on
Friday we were the only boat there), we heaved up the hook
just after 1500 hrs and set off back to Trellis Bay. Having just very
cautiously worked our way out of the Necker island coral heads and reefs, a
seaplane did one circuit above us and then turned for a final approach and
landing - exactly where we had been anchored a few minutes earlier. Since
it was Good Friday afternoon, Sylvie suggested it might have been the islands
owner visiting for Easter w/end?
We had to motor back to Trellis bay on Beef island since
there was no wind. We were informed that someone else that we knew from
the ARC was going to be in there that night, so we did a circuit of the
anchorage, but no luck in finding them, so we picked up a mooring for the
night. We went ashore to a beach bar for a drink, but since they weren't
serving meals, we set off in pursuit of food - to an island in the middle
of the bay in which we were anchored. This proved a good decision, and we
had a great meal, with a very good live show afterwards. The British owner
of the place turned out to be a fantastic entertainer and musician. He and
a colleague both played the guitar to a very high standard, and after asking if
anyone in the audience would like to volunteer to play the drums, an American
(by the name of Tucker!) stepped forward and proved to be really good. We
had a great evening, and with rock music ringing in our ears, we dinghied
our way back to 'Catou' at some late hour.
Saturday was a lovely morning, so we took advantage of a
morning breeze and set off to circuit an island or two. It was very
gentle breeze, and when we had achieved about 1/2 the distance, the wind died on
us and we had to furls the sails and start the donkey.
Eventually we found an empty bay where we dropped anchor and had a late lunch
and a swim. We managed to contact our friends Robin and Jenny on 'Maymio'
on the VHF and arranged to meet in the early evening. So we motored around
to Road Harbour, picked up a mooring, and after a quick shower, went ashore and
took a taxi around to where Maymio was moored. Poor Robin and Jenny have
had a real ordeal with 'Maymio's' stern gland. After 6 'lift-outs'
they were finally back in the water again, but had problems with the
gland which still needed addressing, so will not able to leave until next
week. We thought they would need cheering up, so said we'd
take them out for dinner. (Actually they looked pretty cheery
considering the events that have happened to them). We had
a lovely evening and said our good-byes to them and wished them a Bon Voyage,
since we have to get 'Catou' to St. Thomas while they are heading off to the
Dominican Republic and then on to Bermuda and possibly Canada. We felt
very envious of them!
We have had a very lazy day today! First thing, we
went ashore to clear out with Customs and Immigration in Road Town. Being
Easter Sunday, everything was closed, so we took a stroll around to have a look
at the town. It really isn't attractive! Somehow I had always
imagined this town to be a quaint old place with some lovely old Caribbean
and colonial architecture - well it isn't! We couldn't get a coffee or a
cold drink, so we went back on board and cast off at about 1000hrs and had a
gentle sail across to Peter island, just cross the channel from Tortola - about
4 miles. We were going into Dead Mans' bay, but we decided that it
wouldn't be sheltered enough from the stronger E'ly winds, so we opted for
another much deeper bay about a mile to leeward on the same island.
We sailed into the bay and found a good sheltered mooring and have since spend
the day 'chilling out', swimming, sleeping and reading.
Tomorrow we head for our final destination, St. Thomas
in the US Virgin Islands. We are leaving 'Catou' there, and she will be
shipped home in the latter part of May (we hope). We have covered over
6000 miles on her since leaving England on 27th June last year. It's been
a great trip and we have managed to accomplish all we set out to do without too
many mishaps. 'Catou' has stood up very well, and the gear, equipment and
engine have all proved most reliable. Our biggest drama was the
'knock-down' in mid-Atlantic, but that was all over in about 6 seconds!
There is a small amount of damage to the for'd cockpit fixed sprayhood , as
a result of the knock-down, but we can get that sorted back in England -
probably won't worry about it until we lay up for next winter. I am only
sorry that we don't have time to sail 'Catou' back across the Atlantic via
Bermuda and the Azores - maybe another trip!
Thanks to all for reading the blog - hope we didn't bore
you all with it.
Best wishes
Sylvie and Paul
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