Pirate in the Caribbean

Back to the British Virgin Islands, Sharing our Adventure with Family   The BVI is where it all began a year ago December when we set off to Grenada, and now we have come full circle and are returning to our original jumping off point. We had a long but uneventful 26 hour sail from Antigua to BVI.  We set off at 4 a.m. in the morning from Antigua, and then arrived in St. Maarten about 13 hours later.  Instead of checking in, we flew the quarantine (yellow flag) and stayed at anchor instead of going ashore.  We then left again the next morning at 4 a.m. and arrived in Road Town, BVI around 5 pm, just in time to clear customs and have the veterinarian, Deveaux, come meet Pirate and check her in as well.   As the sun was beginning to set, we headed off to Norman Island and were fortunate to find an unused mooring ball in the dark where we would stay for the next 2 nights, just relaxing before the arrival of our guests.  We went to Nanny Cay Marina in orde...

  Antigua - a Sailor's Paradise We were fortunate to spend a week of down time in Antigua before we set out on our 200 mile journey North to the BVI to meet up with family and friends.  We enjoyed a lovely Valentine's dinner in Jolly Harbour Antigua, before heading back to Falmouth Harbour to pick up some boat cushions we were having modified.   Back in Falmouth Harbour some maxi sailboats and other racing sail boats were gathering at the Antigua Yacht Club in preparation for the Nelson's Cup, followed by the RORC Caribbean 600, the Royal Ocean Racing Club's non stop 600 nm race around 11 Caribbean Islands.   The latter race attracts more than 60 boats and 550 sailors from 30 different countries.  The fastest boats finish in less than 2 days while the smaller boats will take 5 days.  While wind conditions are an important element, it was interesting to hear that many of the boats encounter the same problems as cruisers, getting tangled up in fishing pots th...

  Good Friends and Fun in the Sun Roger, Pirate and I had a leisurely 😉 5 hour sail north from Guadelope in relatively light 15 to 18 knot winds.  Upon arriving in Antigua, you quickly realize you have landed in a new and different world when you are greeted in English instead of French.  We were welcomed at Customs and Immigration in English Harbour by our favourite officer, Detrissia, who was very happy to see Pirate again.  As in the past, the official check in for Pirate happened a couple of days later, but nobody seemed very concerned that the vet was not available, so neither were we. We docked in Falmouth Harbour next to all of the super yachts so that we could prepare for the arrival of our friends Al and Pierina.  The smiles on the faces said it all as we enjoyed some sushi together at the Antigua Yacht Club before heading on a dock walk to check out the Super Yachts. The next day we headed to Shirley Heights to enjoy some steel drum music and the spec...