Saildoggie
01-26-2007, 02:58 PM
Day 8: Breakfast aboard, then top off water and ice at Leverick. Hoist sail for a long down sail to JVD for Christmas Eve dinner. Small squall and rain persisted as we exited the channel. I set for wing and wing again and surfed toward JVD. Nearing the end of Tortola, a big squall was approaching. I was far enough out to gybe the main and head for JVD so did so. This was good, as I could now head up in the gusts and adjust sail power with the helm on a wide reach. I saw winds indicated up to 32 Kts. for a sustained period of almost 30 minutes. I actually put a jacket on, it was a bit cold and water kept getting in my beer!!! I drove the boat without autopilot, as being able to de-power was essential.
The squall was gone and we were approaching Sandy Cay, suddenly my fishing reel went off, dang, another fish!!! I hit the autopilot up 20 degrees to slow our reach and reeled in the biggest Bonita I have ever seen. I quickly released it and sailed right up to the entrance of Little Harbor. Sidney was on us in his dink before we ever even finished tying up to the ball!! The Lady from Harris was not far behind.
A Moorings 4600 took the mooring next to us; it was boat #1, with Mr. Robertson (Robertson Cain) himself aboard. We met the kids at Harris and they invited us aboard. Mr. Robertson seemed to not want much to do with us, after all, we were on an island Spirit, a South African competitor.
Carolina Girls and some friends aboard The Caballero came in and we made reservations for 20 at Sidney’s.
TricaH and Tommy came down and we had a great dinner at Sidney’s. HoneyCat was dressed up in Christmas lights and had a tree on the stern rail, Christmas music left playing as we went ashore.
It was great meeting Derek and his family and also having fun with Tricia, Tommy and the rest of the gang that met up!!! Merry Christmas to all!!!
Day 9: Sail to Cane Garden Bay. Again, a bit windy and ‘ol dad here was a bit worn down. Did several tacks then gave in to the motors so we could tour Apple Bay before entering CGB. We took a mooring and then saw that there was NO SAND visible, only white and sunburned bodies of strangely dressed people. Fat hairy men in Speedos, some with black socks, women looking funny too, the cruise ship invasion, OOOHHHH NOOOOO~!!!!
We eventually ventured ashore and parked in front of Rymers and started a tab. I about fell off my chair when a local came up to me and requested $10.00 for use of the chair.…I told him NO, I am on Rhymer’s mooring and drinking from their bar and NOT a cruise ship person!!! He consulted his boss, pointing at me; the boss sent him away and later apologized to me. Nicole was getting very frustrated trying to skim board; people did not have a clue, just walked right in front of her.
By about 2:00 PM, it was OUR beach again, they left mounds of trash, beer bottles, etc. on the beach. We cleaned up around where we were sitting, took all of 5 minutes.
I gave all my 3 of my Santa Hats to the bar crew at Rhymers, they loved them!!
It was nice relaxing Christmas day now at CGB.
We shared some drinks with Big Daddy and sons, soon to be Members here and then retired for dinner aboard and a movie.
Day 10: Drop the mooring and head for the BareCat base at 7:15 AM.
An uneventful passage, stopping at Nanny Cay for fuel. As soon as we tied up, they lost electrical power. We waited about 30 minutes and were packing our things up for de-boarding. I finally called Barecat, and they instructed me to just bring her in without fuel.
It was really wind in sea Cow and I kinda blew the docking, just bumped the dock a bit. Geez, Mike and Tom musta thought: we let this have this boat for a week????
The debriefing went well, I had felt some imbalance on the starboard prop, Mike dove it and did a bit of scraping, just barnacles I suppose.
We packed everything up, thanked everyone for such nice service and were whisked off toward CRC and Apple Bay by George Winter of Dave’s taxi Service. George was nice enough to stop at a little grocery store so we could get a few tings.
We deposited our mound of luggage outside CRC and went in for a peek!!!
I opened up the big hinged storm door to reveal a unique experience in itself!!!
I got our warmish beers in the fridge and popped one of Mal’s cold Red Stripes.
I spent the next hour just putting around the place admiring all of treasure of beach stuff Mal has collected; cracking up out loud many times…..the girls had thought I have finally lost it!! Lynn had to remind me to go out in the alley and get our luggage!!!
We ventured down to Sebastian’s, played in the surf and had some cold ones over at Bomba Shack. We met Mal’s neighbor, Peter, very cool Guy and nice family, he owns the place next door and comes down to surf.
Dinner at Sebastian’s was very nice, met Uschi while sipping a rum punch at the bar.
Day 11: Cruised around Apple bay a bit, getting a flair for the area, very relaxed and neat community. Ran into Chyrel, (right?) The Purple Pineapple Lady and chatted a bit.
We snorkeled out in front of Bomba Shack on the reef, as the swell was down and saw some unique things, a snow shovel, Christmas lights, mangled propellers and some cool fish, along with a fan coral that is green with gold veins.
Another few cold ones at Bomba, then back to CRC for some lunch and rest.
Dinner was at Banakeet, fantastic in all ways, the scallops were wonderful, Lynn loved her pork dish, and they made a special chicken fettuccini that only almost rivaled Rita’s for Nicole that was not on the menu, very accommodating.
The sunset was fantastic and the other diners very pleasant as well.
Went back for another night of sleeping to the sound of surf and an early morning ride around the backside of Tortola to the Airport..
By far the best trip yet, very nice way to spend the Holidays with my Family!!!
--------------------
http://bipto.smugmug.com/gallery/1643461/1/80286693
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/saildoggie/BVIXMAS06/
The squall was gone and we were approaching Sandy Cay, suddenly my fishing reel went off, dang, another fish!!! I hit the autopilot up 20 degrees to slow our reach and reeled in the biggest Bonita I have ever seen. I quickly released it and sailed right up to the entrance of Little Harbor. Sidney was on us in his dink before we ever even finished tying up to the ball!! The Lady from Harris was not far behind.
A Moorings 4600 took the mooring next to us; it was boat #1, with Mr. Robertson (Robertson Cain) himself aboard. We met the kids at Harris and they invited us aboard. Mr. Robertson seemed to not want much to do with us, after all, we were on an island Spirit, a South African competitor.
Carolina Girls and some friends aboard The Caballero came in and we made reservations for 20 at Sidney’s.
TricaH and Tommy came down and we had a great dinner at Sidney’s. HoneyCat was dressed up in Christmas lights and had a tree on the stern rail, Christmas music left playing as we went ashore.
It was great meeting Derek and his family and also having fun with Tricia, Tommy and the rest of the gang that met up!!! Merry Christmas to all!!!
Day 9: Sail to Cane Garden Bay. Again, a bit windy and ‘ol dad here was a bit worn down. Did several tacks then gave in to the motors so we could tour Apple Bay before entering CGB. We took a mooring and then saw that there was NO SAND visible, only white and sunburned bodies of strangely dressed people. Fat hairy men in Speedos, some with black socks, women looking funny too, the cruise ship invasion, OOOHHHH NOOOOO~!!!!
We eventually ventured ashore and parked in front of Rymers and started a tab. I about fell off my chair when a local came up to me and requested $10.00 for use of the chair.…I told him NO, I am on Rhymer’s mooring and drinking from their bar and NOT a cruise ship person!!! He consulted his boss, pointing at me; the boss sent him away and later apologized to me. Nicole was getting very frustrated trying to skim board; people did not have a clue, just walked right in front of her.
By about 2:00 PM, it was OUR beach again, they left mounds of trash, beer bottles, etc. on the beach. We cleaned up around where we were sitting, took all of 5 minutes.
I gave all my 3 of my Santa Hats to the bar crew at Rhymers, they loved them!!
It was nice relaxing Christmas day now at CGB.
We shared some drinks with Big Daddy and sons, soon to be Members here and then retired for dinner aboard and a movie.
Day 10: Drop the mooring and head for the BareCat base at 7:15 AM.
An uneventful passage, stopping at Nanny Cay for fuel. As soon as we tied up, they lost electrical power. We waited about 30 minutes and were packing our things up for de-boarding. I finally called Barecat, and they instructed me to just bring her in without fuel.
It was really wind in sea Cow and I kinda blew the docking, just bumped the dock a bit. Geez, Mike and Tom musta thought: we let this have this boat for a week????
The debriefing went well, I had felt some imbalance on the starboard prop, Mike dove it and did a bit of scraping, just barnacles I suppose.
We packed everything up, thanked everyone for such nice service and were whisked off toward CRC and Apple Bay by George Winter of Dave’s taxi Service. George was nice enough to stop at a little grocery store so we could get a few tings.
We deposited our mound of luggage outside CRC and went in for a peek!!!
I opened up the big hinged storm door to reveal a unique experience in itself!!!
I got our warmish beers in the fridge and popped one of Mal’s cold Red Stripes.
I spent the next hour just putting around the place admiring all of treasure of beach stuff Mal has collected; cracking up out loud many times…..the girls had thought I have finally lost it!! Lynn had to remind me to go out in the alley and get our luggage!!!
We ventured down to Sebastian’s, played in the surf and had some cold ones over at Bomba Shack. We met Mal’s neighbor, Peter, very cool Guy and nice family, he owns the place next door and comes down to surf.
Dinner at Sebastian’s was very nice, met Uschi while sipping a rum punch at the bar.
Day 11: Cruised around Apple bay a bit, getting a flair for the area, very relaxed and neat community. Ran into Chyrel, (right?) The Purple Pineapple Lady and chatted a bit.
We snorkeled out in front of Bomba Shack on the reef, as the swell was down and saw some unique things, a snow shovel, Christmas lights, mangled propellers and some cool fish, along with a fan coral that is green with gold veins.
Another few cold ones at Bomba, then back to CRC for some lunch and rest.
Dinner was at Banakeet, fantastic in all ways, the scallops were wonderful, Lynn loved her pork dish, and they made a special chicken fettuccini that only almost rivaled Rita’s for Nicole that was not on the menu, very accommodating.
The sunset was fantastic and the other diners very pleasant as well.
Went back for another night of sleeping to the sound of surf and an early morning ride around the backside of Tortola to the Airport..
By far the best trip yet, very nice way to spend the Holidays with my Family!!!
--------------------
http://bipto.smugmug.com/gallery/1643461/1/80286693
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/saildoggie/BVIXMAS06/