April

March already...Wow!

We had a fair sail round to Great Bird Island but cautiously motor-sailed through the Boon Channel where we picked up S/Y Aspens track to the anchorage. What a pleasant few days in this sheltered Bay. We managed to take 'Forte' around most of the small Islands which compile the area. Such charming names as Rabbit, Readhead, Lobster and Exchange Islands. The snorkeling was pretty good with some fair growth of Coral and sponges.

Malcolm recommended a hike to the top of Bird Island and led the way. It was a very gentle hill and the views from the summit (100 feet) were spectacular. The flora and fauna along the trail interesting too. I suppose if we had a guide we may have seen the rare Antigua Racer (Alsophis antiguae)

The second week in March we sailed from Joly Harbour to Marigot Bay on St Martin. A night crossing, this possibly the slowest sail of the year so far, wind zephyr-like and the sea glassy calm. Until 04.30 in the morning when the wind came up and 'Piano' lifted her skirts again.

Mike and Sally gave us our usual welcome and yet again they both look even better than last year.

The wind has stayed high 15-20 knots gusting more so we have moved into the lagoon. Thanks to Graham and Joan on S/Y Karma we did not go aground this time.

A few days later Jane and Paul landed at the airport. It was raining! So we went prepared with waterproofs to pick them up. Their plane had arrived ½ hour early (tailwinds) so we waited in the floating bar until the skies cleared and then returned to 'Piano'. After settling them in and tea we went ashore to the French side and looked around the waterside while Malcolm checked them into St Martin. Marigot was still damp and dreary so an early dinner at a delightful french restaurant, then home for an early night. After croissants and coffee we up anchored and went out through the Dutch Bridge ready for the sail to St Barths.

Calm seas and a good trip, Paul helmed for some way,

 we arrived in Corrossol and anchored in time for a late lunch and celebratory beer (5 fifteen). After checking in and collecting the hire car Jane and Paul drove to the cottage. We stayed aboard to double check the holding and were picked up the following morning. The next week at the cottage was sublime, no rocking and rolling and Wi-Fi 24/7!

Upmarket shops here in the Capital.

During the Bucket we chose a viewpoint and watched the racing. This at a leisurely pace as the start times were all after elevenses. The J's always started first, followed by various other classes. These are just a few shots to give flavour.

J's away...

Just like a game I play ...

The whole week flew by with side trips for shopping

Jane,Paul and I 

and the least windy beach for a swim.

Guvnor

Many meals were taken at the cottage with Paul cooking at the BBQ on the veranda. All too soon the holiday ended and we prepared for the sail back to St Martin. This time we changed to route and sailed around the top end, which meant a beam reach most of the way. We even had lunch on board.

I won't mention our grounding once back in the Lagoon suffice to say that we stayed near the french end once we were free. Thanks to all who came to assist getting us off.

Our last night was a meal ashore and doubly good as it was Janes' Birthday!

By chance the return flight was delayed enough that we had time for a picnic on the beach.

A side trip to Grand Case and the back to Marigot Bay for the arrival of the new batteries. The old ones had lasted over 4 years and we donated them to Mike at Shrimpeys they probably have another life ahead of them ashore.

Last minute provisioning, cheese wine beer and bread and we set off for Charlotte Amilie at the beginning of April.

April

Charlotte Amalie wi fi

Shopping k mart

Circumnavigation St Thomas Turtle Dove Bay-all alone! Sailed to Botany Bay ,Inner Brass and Magens for the night little wind so motored .

Next day 7^th Motored to Hans Lollick Islands for lunch and snorkelling.

8^th back to Christmas Cove

9^th Charlotte Amalie to Lameshure Bay

10^th Sunday Saltpond Bay

12^th Tues sailed to Gorda Sound very pleasant. Cruising Association meet.

14^th Vixen Point , Gorda Sound, shackle off main and foot came out of boom track.Anchored Cane Garden Bay

15^th Cane Garden Bay to Little Jost Van Dyke, drinks aboard S/V Treck

This is the Bubbley pool, just wait for the occasional wave... 

and the bubbles feel rather as I would expect champagne bubbles to feel!

16^th Hiked trail on Sandy Island Rockefeller.

B Line Bar Little Jost Van Dyke

18^th Little Jost Van Dyke to Lee Bay, great sail running with the wind and 8 knots! Lee Bay too rolly for lunch so motored round the point to Marina Cay. And stayed the night.

Tuesday 19^th Sailed from Marina Cay to Virgin Gorda and anchored in St Thomas Bay to do food shopping.

20^th Sailed round to Vixen point for the right angle for tomorrows sail, but took a mooring at Saba Rock to fill with water and do wifi. The plus is we get a free bag of ice, Mighty cool sun-downers eh?

Somewhere here the Navigation computer had a fit and showed everything upside down, Malcolm thinks the monitor has gone. So the computer is hooked up to the TV screen for viewing , which makes the mouse great fun to use! Hey ho.

21^st Sailed to Anegada which is very shallow on approach. Managed to anchor in 2 metres which is the shallowest we have ever anchored in (apart from aground in the lagoon). Next day moved to a buoy. Along came Barry, an ambassador for the Island, and welcomed us to his office. We invited him for morning coffee and listened to his tales. If we needed anything just give him a call! We told him we were thinking of walking to the North shore and he encouraged us.
Here is the map. The path goes all the way round...

I packed a snack lunch and we set off. The great thing is that the island is flat so it was easy hiking. Along the way we saw these orchids in great profusion.

 The wind didn't help focusing the camera- sorry. Alan Titchmarsh should really do a programme here, the whole island is sand and a few ancient outcrops of coral. That said the variety of species is amazing, and what isn't green is salt lakes with flamingoes, and a bird sanctuary. We stopped at the Cow Wreck Bar and had a drink and our lunch.

 Cow Wreck Bay is on the North side and so we swam and snorkelled in a very shallow bay. Then we continued back on a circular route to the Whispering Pines bar and dinghy dock. By this time I was dead on my feet. We had walked about 8 miles in all and when almost back I refused a lift (big mistake) there was still 30 minutes more to walk.

 I showed Barry my poor feet and he told me to soak them in sea water. I then apologised for being late back and asked if we could have dinner. Of course he said so we showered and changed then returned for a delicious fish meal.

22^nd It stared raining in the early hours of the morning and there was thunder and lightning almost overhead (OMG) we were not hit ! And had decided to leave for Virgin Gorda after lunch . As it happened it was a pleasant sail of just over 3 hours.

24^th Managed to turn the sea cock fully on for the generator and checked the impellor was is one piece, but saw a drip from the hose so had to fix that. This while I baked bread for lunch. Then went into Eden Rock to get a weather report and check emails. This is a resident of the wildlife pond which I did post on Facebook. Sorry no upload today will add it later (promise)

 The bread-pan has come to the end of it's life, much of the loaf had welded itself to the bottom of the pan- that was fed to the sea life which is when we found that 3 fish were waiting for such morsels under our keel!  They failed to upload so here's one of a Tarpon

 Tomorrow we sail for St Martin so I hope to get this posted soon afterwards. Big problems in St Martin so videos will appear next month.