Since completing the Rally we spend a few days getting the
boat back in order and as always – there remains a few items on the to do list
that need attention.
Our crew member Jean was scheduled to fly back home on
Thursday Nov 24th so we took the opportunity to do a quick whirl
around the BVI’s. We started with our first swim in the 84F waters with a
snorkel around the wreck of the Mail Ship Rhone which sank trying to get sea room
in a hurricane in Oct 1867. The sky was completely overcast so visibility was
not great but the swim was fantastic in the warm water!
Next stop was an overnight at Manicheel Bay on Cooper
Island. A huge change since I was last here 10 years ago. Gone is the little
boutique and beach bar replaced with true resort style buildings. Now sporting
two bars and restaurants as well a very large boutique. All very nicely done!
Our next stop was to the famous Baths. Dinghies are not
permitted on the beach as the waves get very large and landing / launching on
the beach is treacherous – entertaining to watch others but treacherous! So now the dinghy is tied to a mooring line
away from the beach and you need to swim from there to the beach – well landing
with mask and flippers is no less treacherous than with a dinghy. Poor Maryse
crash landed and then the waves tossed her along the rocks , needless to say
the rocks won out and she had more than a few scratches. Anyway it did not stop
her from exploring the cool paths between the huge boulders, that remain after
the softer lava rock eroded over the years gone by. We did find a nice long path to return to the
beginning without having to go back against the flow of visitors.
 |
| The Baths |
 |
| The Baths |
 |
| The Baths |
 |
| The Baths |
 |
| The Baths |
 |
| The Path back..... |
 |
| Even the pelican looks pissed at the rain .... |
As we were on to or next overnight destination we were once
again rained upon for the entire trip to North Sound in Virgin Gorda.
We
did
get a treat of seeing the Maltese
Falcon – probably one of the most famous sailing yachts in the world .
I hear that is winters in BVI and summers in
the Med and is in
charter most of the
time – I could not even imagine what a week on board is worth!
 |
| The Maltese Falcon |
The next day it poured rain all day so we just chilled out
on board. The rain let up in time for us to hail the free water taxi to take us
to dinner at the Bitter End Yacht Club. This still is a special spot
with SOOOO MUCH character. The word around
the bar with a few long term customers , is that the resort is not doing
financially well.
That is sad….
 |
| Bitter End Yacht Club |
 |
| Bitter End Mountain Suites |
Despite the rain we headed out the next day – not even
enough wind to sail so we motored all the way west to Great Harbour
on Jost Von Dyke.
 |
| Rain on the radar ..... no dodging this one! |
 |
| Rain |
 |
| More %^(%$# RAIN!!! |
 |
| 911 Towing from Ambition |
We wanted to go to Foxy’s but the downpour
just kept on coming! We did a little Rescue 911 for a couple of German visitors
– engine wouldn’t run and then broke an oar – it was the “going around in
circles” that caught me eagle eye! – a tow to shore and all was good again in
the bay!
One of the Star Clipper Tall Ship’s “Royal Clipper” was anchored on
front of Great Harbour for the night – the music was more than loud well into
the wee hours of the morning! I gather the guests enjoyed themselves even if we
were caught halfway between the music from Foxy’s and the music from Royal
Clipper – not exactly a duet!
 |
| Royal Clipper Tall Sip |
 |
| Royal Clipper toy garage..... |
Jean’s last full day on board so we motored up to Sandy Cay
for a swim and then we motored to Soper Hole West End . Jean treated us to a
wonderful dinner at Pusser’s Restaurant where I introduced him to a Bushwacker
as dessert! – he is sold now!
Dropped Jean off at the ferry for his trip to St Thomas to
catch a flight home to the cold and snow of Montreal – thanks Jean for your
help in successfully executing the big jump – at least for us – from Portsmouth
VA to BVI.
 |
| Salut Jean! |
 |
| I think Jean wasn't off the ferry!!! |
Off by ourselves we had a fantastic sail to Norman’s Island and a mooring ball in the Bight at Normans Cay.
We took the dinghy over to what used to be a
Pirate beach bar complete with thongs and bras stapled to the roof rafters. Clearly
the restaurant and bar haved moved way
closer to Up Scale!
 |
| View from the bar.... |
 |
| Pirates Beach ...notice no underwear stapled to the ceiling |
In the morning we were to say the least VERY SURPRISED to
see that Coral Beauty – Jacques and Daniele from Plattsburgh City Marina were
on a mooring ball a hundred yards away!!! We snuck up in the dinghy and knocked
on their hull – now the surprise was shared! Turns out that it was Jacques’
birthday today. We enjoyed a great afternoon and dinner with live music with
them.
We both shared our ‘adventures” in
reaching BVI – enough to fill the evening!
The next morning we caught up with our Rally friends Cafe
Latte, Jean and Yolene and snorkeled the caves at Norman’s Island / Treasure
Island of Robert Louis Stevenson fame. We dropped the mooring ball and had a
great 3 hour sail to Trellis Bay. A
culinary delight of a dinner at De Loose Mongoose Resto Bar – great burgers!
We stay put during the rain again for another
day a Trellis Bay …… out of here Tuesday!
