Vagrant returns

We left Bermuda as planned on Friday afternoon. Owen arrived at 1530 and we were finished at the fuel dock and gone at 1700. Not much sightseeing for him. The forecast for either northeast winds or no wind. And that is what we got. Northeast, the direction we were heading, for the first day and a half and then nothing for two. By that time though we were in the gulf stream and motoring through the water at six knots and being pushed over the bottom at ten knots. We were secure alongside at DYC at 1215 yesterday(Thursday). Thanks to Jim, Peter, and Owen for helping with the delivery.

Now that the trip is over, it's back to reality. A few days to clean up the boat, get into racing mode for the summer and then I guess I have to find a (gulp) job. Thanks for following along. I still have some pictures to post once I get them all from various cameras and that should happen in a week or two.

Cheers.

The last leg

We arrived here in Bermuda early on Wednesday morning. The trip from Tortolla was just under 6 days. Wind and weather were good. Only one day of really light breeze when we had to motor. Yesterday was a work day and we are leaving this afternoon for Halifax. Hopefully the trip will go as smoothly. The only things left to do are take of fuel and pick up a few groceries. Next stop, home.

One more sleep

Peter arrives this afternoon. The boat is fueled and watered and I will be putting the last of the groceries aboard later today. I have to climb the mast in the morning and then we should be off. Hope to be away by noon or one. Looks like good weather all the way to Bermuda although it may be light for a few days as the Bermuda high has really settled in. Next update will be from St. Georges.

Anguilla and then BVIs

In a previous post I mentioned that we sailed to Anguilla after leaving St. Maarten. We only had a couple of hours there so we had a few drinks at a beach bar and then supper at a beachfront restaurant before heading out. I think this is a place that I would like to come back to.

We motorsailed overnight to Virgin Gorda and cleared customs as Spanish Town. As always, this was followed by a trip to a beach bar, or in this case a marina waterfront bar. The picture is blurry, but that's the bartender's fault and not because we had too much to drink.

Here is a picture I got at sunset in the anchorage.

Next day Stuart and I had a great sail from Virgin Gorda all the way to Jost Van Dyke. Downwind all the way with about four gybes along the way. Mark managed to sleep the entire way. We tried to spend some time at Foxy's but since it was Good Friday, no liquor was being served until 6:30. Mental note for next time.

Saturday was a Soggy Dollar Painkiller day. Rum in the sun. Nothing like it. We finished the tour with a night in the bight on Norman's Island and a day in Sopers Hole back on Tortolla.

Where we have been

The last two posts were kind of quick so here is a bit more detail on what has been going on for the past few weeks.

Stuart and Mark arrived as planned and we spend a few days hanging out in St. Maarten. Did the usual touristy stuff like a visit to Philipsburg and a trip to the Sunset Bar and Grill. Nobody should vist St. Maarten without doing those two things at least.

Before we left I arranged to have the boat hauled at Bobby's boatyard to clean the bottom

Check out the pictures. No wonder we were so slow through the water. Amercoat is great bottom paint in Nova Scotia, but it does nothing to inhibit growth in the warm water down here. Bobby's charged me $230 to haul and clean the boat. And the cleaning was down by their staff. Pretty reasonable.

Back in the BVIs

Currently in the BVIs with Mark and Stuart. Having a blast. Spent a night in Spanish Town after crossing from Anguilla, then a night in Great Bay, home of Foxy's followed by a day at the Soggy Dollar, home of the Painkiller. Painkillers are good. Last night we took a mooring here in Sopers Hole and likely will head to Norman's Island today.

Next week (Wednesday I think) the boys home and on Tuesday Max arrives for a couple of weeks. Looking forward to that.

I'll try to post more when I have a few minutes and am not paying for the internet time.

Leaving today

We will be leaving St. Maarten at the 11:00 bridge today. The plan is to sail up to Anguilla and have a quick look around and then sail to the BVIs tonight.

Still looking for crew to help sail the boat home to Halifax so if you are interested or know anybody who might me, feel free to e-mail.