Thursday 10th, May Anchored in Great Harbour, Joss Van Dyke. and Malcolm went ashore to sign in. We then both went ashore to talk to the dive shop and book a refresher dive for 3 that afternoon. Dive instructor , Martin was an ex pat who had worked in a variety of brilliant place, Thailand, Shar-mel-sheik, Mediterranean, New Zealand to name a few. We had his undivided attention but we put him to the test with Malcolm’s bouyancy (he now needs only 2 Kg! Plus of course the BCD which we didn’t realise was faulty. Never the less we had our first dive in 2 years and were suitably chastened. Martin said we both needed work on our bouyancy skills.
Back ashore with a ‘Painkiller’ cocktail we entertained a group of American Cruisers who were chartering a Cat. They were water challenged and envious that we had 900 gallons aboard. They also questioned us on our travels and lifestyle. Below is Foxy's Bar with a ceiling covered with boat/business cards.
I repaired Malcolm's BCD which had lost a clip to secure the chest. Also repaired the beach bag which had split yesterday with the weight of all the dive gear, both were sewing machine jobbies and the sewing machine was in a good mood.
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| Foxy's Bar |
Friday 11th, We moved to Norman Island, having reefed for the 20 kt wind we flew! Our nearest competition was overpowered and even after reefing couldn’t point as near to the wind as we could. On arrival at the anchorage (which caters for 120 charterers) We had dinner The Pirates Restaurant. After watching a group of cruisers playing sticks they gave us a welcome tow back to ‘Piano’.
It was a perfect 5m anchorage so next morning we decided to use our newly filled bottles to practice finning and buoyancy control. This in shallow water. While taking our time to think about how to get back aboard when we had finished we noticed that Malcolm’s BCD had inflated itself! Oh yes (we remembered) John had said that the inflation valve may need attention back in Barbados but it hasn’t seen daylight for 2 years . OK we decide to both use my BCD. I go first doing a nice step off the boat with little apprehension, give the OK signal then get to work, sorted.
On my return we find that ’Piano’ has sauntered round to watch, meaning her aft end is now only feet from the shore. Pulling in the anchor doesn't do much so we re-anchor further out, ’Crescendo’ on the other hand different ideas- her anchor still being down she made a brave effort to hold us there but the big girl won. Of course, Malcolm at last went for his practice and was well pleased with himself, good buoyancy control, no mask problems AND he saw more fish than I. After coffee we sailed to Peter Island, had lunch in Key Bay then off to anchor overnight in White Bay. The tidal scouring of the beach meant that we were dancing at the end of our anchor chain so ‘Crescendo’ was commissioned to stand guard to be sure we didn’t touch the boat next door.
Sunday 13th May
Next morning we up anchor and motored to Carrot Bay for snorkelling, but wind & swell meant that it was far too exposed so we continued to “Dead Man’s Island” - this all by 09.30 You only get 90 minutes on a ball. I’m aboard so I can catch up on polishing the woodwork. I doubt my blister will allow me to enjoy any more water work this season. Malcolm saw many reef fish and was happy to leave this rolly buoy under sail for Salt Island. So named since it used to produce salt! The center if the island is one huge salt pan. The lease for the island is still a bag of salt delivered to the British Crown. Malcolm snorkelled the Wreck of the ‘M/V Rhone’ a mail ship which was used as a location for Peter Benchley’s film ‘The Deep’. Once again we sailed off the ball this time to Cooper’s Island where we will have lunch and overnight stay.
