Monday April 2nd
It’s 9 am and we find ourselves at the airport in Antigua. After numerous security checks we are finally in the air flying to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Just as we are approaching Puerto Rico, I realize that we spent our anniversary in P.R. last year. That’s a co-incidence because this year we thought it would be fun to fly to New York City for our anniversary. Happy 30th Anniversary, Pat & Miriam.
In reality, Monday offered the most direct flights to Bermuda, our final destination, even though we had to overnight in New York City. It’s hard to believe, but there are no flights from anywhere in the Caribbean to Bermuda. While in the airport in San Juan, we bought some Champagne at the Duty Free Shop which we enjoyed later that evening in our hotel room.
1:30 pm Tuesday we arrived in Bermuda to be greeted with open arms by Brian & Paula. We are here to help them sail Magique, a 44’ C&C, to the Caribbean. It will be leg 2 of a trip that started October 31, 2006. Magique ran into problems last November on her way to Bermuda, but is now repaired and anxious to continue her voyage. After last minute preparations we were ready to leave on Thursday April 5th however the weather guru Herb says “Don’t Go Today” it may be Monday before the various Low Pressure Systems & Fronts settle down. Now is the waiting game, which Pat & I have played too many times to count, waiting for the right “weather window” to venture out. Then Sunday April 8th it’s a go. By 3 pm we round the outer buoy at the north end of Bermuda and have nothing but 900 miles of ocean before us. For Pat, it is the continuation of a journey he started last year; for me, it is the opportunity to sail offshore and gain the valuable experience that only offshore sailing can bring.
Magique carried us safely all the way to Antigua. We arrived in Jolly Harbour on Tuesday April 17th. It felt really good to be back home on Rhiannon.
Pat wants to write about the voyage, a sequel to his first Magique Story. Unfortunately, the story is a flop at the box office, no storms or scary rescues, but stay tuned anyways.
Fair Winds,
Miriam
Thursday, April 26, 2007
I'm a little late posting this entry
Falmouth Harbour, Antigua, West Indies
Wednesday March 21st.
Happy Birthday to our daughter Erin.
Farewell to the Rum & Sun Tour, aka visit from Steve, Gerry & Sean.
Our company is gone, we’ve had a great reunion with Rick & Carey on board Memory, played lots of Bocce Ball on Pidgeon Beach and received updates on other cruising friends from Bev & Ross on board Raft. Now it’s time for a few days of relaxation and a change of scenery.
Sunday March 25th we enjoyed a nice lazy 15 mile downwind sail to Jolly Harbour.
Tuesday we revisited Deep Bay, where we had been previously with the Rum & Sun Tour.
Wednesday morning brought more sunshine and a beautiful beam reach while heading north along the west coast of Antigua, then we turned east into the Boon Channel and the wind was dead on the nose. We were forced to motor sail the 5 miles into 17-20 knots of wind before we could turn south and work our way around the reefs into Parham Sound. By lunch time, we were anchored between Red Head Island and Rabbit Island. All I can say is WOW! FANTASTIC! ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING! A panoramic view of rugged islands in all directions, Antigua to the west, and the Altantic Ocean to the East.
After settling in, we dinghied to Hells Gate, a very interesting island with rock formations that look like a bridge that goes over a small channel that runs through the middle of the rock. There was no place to land, so we anchored the dingy in a patch of sand and swam to shore. It was really neat. It reminded us of the Baths in Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. We climbed over rocks and through caves up to the top of the island and walked across the “bridge” of Hells Gate. Definitely a highlight of the day. This area is a must see on my list of “To Do’s” We accomplished our goal of relaxing with the only regret that we had to leave so soon (due to other commitments). I could have used a full week there to swim, snorkel the numerous reefs, and explore the other islands. It is the only place we’ve been in the Caribbean where we were the only boat. We haven’t experienced that since leaving the Bahamas.
Thursday March 29th
Happy Birthday to our son Darryl.
Before we knew it, Saturday snuck up on us and we’re off again, with good visibility to help pick our way back through the reefs. It is so much easier the second time. Saturday afternoon, we dropped the hook in the outer anchorage at Jolly Harbour (Jolly Harbour is starting to feel like home base). Sunday morning, April 1st, we moved Rhiannon into the dock at the Marina to prepare for our next adventure.
Fair Winds,
Miriam
Wednesday March 21st.
Happy Birthday to our daughter Erin.
Farewell to the Rum & Sun Tour, aka visit from Steve, Gerry & Sean.
Our company is gone, we’ve had a great reunion with Rick & Carey on board Memory, played lots of Bocce Ball on Pidgeon Beach and received updates on other cruising friends from Bev & Ross on board Raft. Now it’s time for a few days of relaxation and a change of scenery.
Sunday March 25th we enjoyed a nice lazy 15 mile downwind sail to Jolly Harbour.
Tuesday we revisited Deep Bay, where we had been previously with the Rum & Sun Tour.
Wednesday morning brought more sunshine and a beautiful beam reach while heading north along the west coast of Antigua, then we turned east into the Boon Channel and the wind was dead on the nose. We were forced to motor sail the 5 miles into 17-20 knots of wind before we could turn south and work our way around the reefs into Parham Sound. By lunch time, we were anchored between Red Head Island and Rabbit Island. All I can say is WOW! FANTASTIC! ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING! A panoramic view of rugged islands in all directions, Antigua to the west, and the Altantic Ocean to the East.
After settling in, we dinghied to Hells Gate, a very interesting island with rock formations that look like a bridge that goes over a small channel that runs through the middle of the rock. There was no place to land, so we anchored the dingy in a patch of sand and swam to shore. It was really neat. It reminded us of the Baths in Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. We climbed over rocks and through caves up to the top of the island and walked across the “bridge” of Hells Gate. Definitely a highlight of the day. This area is a must see on my list of “To Do’s” We accomplished our goal of relaxing with the only regret that we had to leave so soon (due to other commitments). I could have used a full week there to swim, snorkel the numerous reefs, and explore the other islands. It is the only place we’ve been in the Caribbean where we were the only boat. We haven’t experienced that since leaving the Bahamas.
Thursday March 29th
Happy Birthday to our son Darryl.
Before we knew it, Saturday snuck up on us and we’re off again, with good visibility to help pick our way back through the reefs. It is so much easier the second time. Saturday afternoon, we dropped the hook in the outer anchorage at Jolly Harbour (Jolly Harbour is starting to feel like home base). Sunday morning, April 1st, we moved Rhiannon into the dock at the Marina to prepare for our next adventure.
Fair Winds,
Miriam
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