St.John, USVI

January 23 -24...Left fairly early this morning so that we could check out of Spanishtown, go to the wholesale for some Drambuie.  Arrived to check out but the nice man told us that we were unable to as BVI regulations state that you must leave the country within 12 hours of checking out.  This does not fit into our plans as we wanted to leave from Leverick.  He then informed us there was a new customs and immigration office at Gun Creek that had been open for one year.  After a successful visit to RTW, drambuie three for $39, and then checking out the price at Buck's, which was $30 for one we felt we had been rewarded. 
Motored to Leverick.  When we arrived a squall came up very quickly.  We were glad we were in place.

squall, looking toward Mosquito Island (Richard Branson's new island)

We had decided to leave at 4 a.m. Friday morning for St. Martin but while doing laundry I ran into some ladies who were leaving Thursday at approximately 5.  We decided to buddy up with them and left at the stated time.

leaving Leverick

 Necker Island, new buildings after the fire

 Sunset on open seas to St. Martin

Crossing was uneventful weather wise but we ended up putting a rip in the main sail.  Peter was great, he did not sleep; however, I could not keep my eyes open any longer and had a few cat naps.  This was my first crossing and I have decided that it is not one of my fav things to do.  Luckly weather was fairly decent and because there was an almost full moon, it was bright on the water.

January 22...Plans for Peter Island were nixed....no pins available and any available anchorage spots were too deep.  Decided to go to Fat Hog's as that's what the plans were anyway.  No problem getting anything here...lots of available pins either through Penns Marina or through Pro Valor Charters.  Got on to a PVC pin as it was going to be a bit cheaper but when the nice young man came along to collect the money, he said the government had raised the prices so Penns and PVC were the same amount...$30.

Up early this a.m. to the sounds of barking dogs and roosters crowing and able to take in the sunrise.

Sunrise at Fat Hog's looking out to Red Rock and Ginger and Cooper Islands 

January 21 - YEAH!!!!!! UPDATES HAVE BEEN DONE, PICTURES LOADED!!!!

Arrived in Soper's Hole today along with many others. Very difficult to get a pin and who knows if we are on the right one. Checked into the BVIs again and said goodbye to the USVIs. Plans are to go to Peter Island today, Fat Hogs for Canadian night, then wait for weather window to St. Martin. Weather looks a bit iffy for this weekend but will just have to wait and see.  We will stay put for a bit and hopefully I will be able to load pics.

Sunset at Christmas Cove

During the last couple of days, we had spent two nights at Christmas Cove, two nights at Francis Bay and one night at Waterlemon. Some beautiful sunsets.

Sunset at Francis Bay, St. John

January 15...Still at Lindbergh Bay. Actually very nice and the noise from the airport really is no bother. We are out far enough so it is a good swim to the beach. Presently checking messages from beach bar at Emerald Beach resort, a Best Western. Able to walk into Crown Bay and Pueblos.. No plans yet for further movement.

Lindbergh Bay, St.Thomas

January 11...Restock and move over to Lindbergh Bay near the airport on St. Thomas.  Probably there for a day or so.  Blogger still not allowing me to upload photos.  Frustrating!
January 10...Company left today, sad to see her go.  Great time was had by all.  Lots of rummy, shanghai and Farkle as well as reading, swimming, etc.  Took the local $2 bus to the big KMart and did some necessary and new shopping, stopped by the Fat Turtle at Yacht Haven Grande for a few happy hour drinks and apps. 
January 9...Had a somewhat lumpy, lovely sail this morning from Salt Pond to Crown Bay with following seas.  Arrived without incident, fueled up and pulled into the narrow slip fantastically.  The two women went shopping as there was a large cruise ship in....Allure of the Sea.  Now we sit and wait for the "hour" to arrive.
January 8...The captain and visitor read all day!  The crew member cleaned and swam back to and from shore several times and power walked the beach.
January 7...Spent the day in Salt Pond swimming, snorkeling, sunning, beaching and moving to a closer pin to avoid the swells.  Planned to take the dollar bus tomorrow into Cruz Bay but we all agreed we wanted to spend another quiet day here.  A good night of sleep was had by all.
January 6

View from top of St. John looking into Coral Bay with Norman Island in background

Arrived at Salt Pond travelling from Norman in huge swells.  One of us is having difficulty getting her sea legs.  Walked up to Concordia in order to get a cab into Cruz Bay to check in.  No buses Sunday or Monday (three king holiday in St. Croix).  Unable to load pictures while sitting in the square at Cruz Bay.  May have to wait until we arrive in Crown Bay.
January 5...Arrived at Soper’s Hole, primarily to check emails and update blog. Unfortunately their entire system was down.  We figure it has to do with CCT….cell phone doesn’t work either.  Sailed over to Norman Island, boarded the Willy T but just were not in the mood for the partying going on.  Dinghied over to Pirate Bay to try their Internet and again no go.  However, Pirate Bay Bar is beautiful, all redone, rebuilt and refurbished.

Farkle game continues along with Shanghai.  Consensus is there is too much to think about in the latter game and Farkle and/or rummy seems to win out as games of choice.  Plans for tomorrow are to sail on to Salt Pond, St. John’s, take the bus Cruz Bay to check in to the US.  Hopefully the buses run on a Sunday.
January 2- 4

Bubbly Pool, Jost Van Dyke

Overnighted in Francis Bay, spent afternoon at the beach, played our new game, Farkle.  Of course, Peter was the champion.  Left there the next day, and went to Jost Van Dyke (BVIs) to check in.  Great customs fellow who let us check in and out.  What a treat!  Motored to Foxy’s Taboo and walked over to the Bubbly Pool. Swells were the best ever but lots of people.

Foxy's Taboo, Jost Van Dyke

Thought we saw the Maltese Falcon, the largest private sailboat in the world.  This needs to be checked out when we have a chance to do some Internet research.  Overnighted and left to go to the fav spot…Brewer’s Bay.  Beached, swam and tried some snorkeling but the water was too murky due to winds.

January 2, 2013...First thing to mention and to view is Peter's Christmas present to us….can anyone see just what it is? Also received a brand new boat hook which works very well.

Happy New Year!!
After a lengthy and arduous journey from Collingwood, arrived in St.Thomas at 10:20, loss of one bag for Marie who arrived safely as well.  Champagne to bring in the arrival of the new year and the first day was spent basically resting (for me especially in trying to get rid of this damn whatever, that's what I get for visiting the cold north).  Provision shopping and for some football at Tickles.  Leaving today for Francis Bay and the itinerary as yet has not been set in stone.

December 22...Upgrades done, launch videos not able to post.  Too bad.  They are quite good if I say so myself. 

Merry Christmas to all and have a great December 31.  Best wishes for the New Year 2013!

And where would you rather be??  This is Collingwood after last night's wild wind and snow storm

December 19...Have spent the last four nights at Salt Pond.  Beautiful!  I swam back and forth to the beach several times a day.  We did a hike almost to Ram's Head but walking was really difficult.

Ram's Head hiking path, view out to Ram's Head

December 15, 16...Arrived in Salt Pond without incident….only one other boat was here.  It left the next day and two more boats arrived and spent the night.  We walked up to Concordia sans camera and found out there is a brunch on Sunday which we both decided we wanted to try.  It doesn’t take too long to walk up through a rough trail.  Noseeums were bad again last night but put on some trusty bug spray.   Finally was able to swim to shore…twice…rib/muscle feeling better.

Looking from Ram's Head Trail to Salt Pond and Concordia

Walked up to Concordia for brunch which was good but not what we had expected…set our hopes too high!

the hiker and shopper

Spent the day cleaning, swimming, lounging, reading and are expecting friends to arrive tomorrow.  We are the only boat in the bay tonight!  Nice breeze, there should be no bugs tonight and sleep should be rest full.

View from Concordia to Salt Pond.  Can you tell which one is Mistress?

December 14, 15...Another day at the beach after a morning of rain.  Decided to go to Tent City for dinner as the swells didn't look too bad.  However, it will be my last time there....there were some type of noseeums that felt like needles pricking me.  Peter got them as well.  In the middle of the night, I woke up itchy as all get out and spread vinegar all over me....that's one way to get the salt off!  This morning welts again after I had gotten rid of whatever I had in the early weeks.  Don't understand, Peter is not affected by the itching.

We are presently sitting in Coral Bay having lunch (home of the original hippy).  The harbour is filled with boats that have been sitting since the 60's.  Hard to tell from the picture.  We plan to go to LoveCity for a few groceries and then head on to Salt Pond Bay or Little Lameshur.  We will be there probably until Wednesday when we head into Charlotte Amalie.

Coral Bay

December 13...Yesterday was a pretty nice day, decided to relax a bit and went to the Francis Bay beach.  Did a beach walk couple of times and then walked the boardwalk as well.  The winds have been howling and it has been raining.  This morning sky was dark and raining and still winds howling every once in a while.  We’ve decided to stay for another night as it doesn’t make sense to go out into the rain and howling winds.  Hopefully, by this afternoon, it will at least get a bit sunny so we can dinghy into the beach.  Oh well, at least it is warm.

rainbow at Francis Bay after the storm

December 11...This a.m. took the taxi from Maho Bay Camps into Cruz Bay.  What a ride!  Didn’t think the taxi was going to make it……brakes were certainly iffy on the windy, narrow, downhill road.  However, as with everything else down here, we did make it but the police would not allow the driver to back in to the ferry docks.  They kept pointing on the left side of the taxi and saying “see, didn’t you notice”.  Checked in so now we are legally in the States again, walked around and had lunch on the water.  Taxi ride back was uneventful and the driver stopped to let us take pictures from the lookouts.

Francis Bay

Trunk Bay

 Arrived back at Maho Bay camps, and safely maneuvered the dinghy to the boat, just in time, as a major storm hit.  Windy and rainy all evening so spent the night indoors, playing cards. 

Tortola

December 10

Soper's Hole for checkout

After spending two nights in Brewer’s, we must move on as we have to check out (at Soper's Hole) of this country by the 10th and that's today and go back to the States. Plans are to go to Francis Bay, St. John, bus it in to Cruz Bay to check into the USVI and then from there who knows. Winds are supposed to get heavy so we may end up staying in Francis Bay for a bit. Plans are to be in Charlotte Amalie on the 19^th.
December 8...Headed over to Great Harbour, Peter Island, spent the night and then moved on to Brewer’s Bay around the corner from Cane Garden, Tortola.  Beautiful anchorage, small campground ashore as well as a beach bar called Nicole’s.  Not much activity around and we were the only ones anchored in the bay.  Idealic!. 

Brewer's Bay

December 6 and 7...Alternator rebuilt and looking just beautiful....they did a great job and painted it as well so it looks like new.  Installed and ready to go.
Just an aside about taxi service to Roadtown….it is approximately a 20 minute ride in from Fat Hog’s Bay into town. First day we paid $8 to go into town and came back for $6. When we went in to pick up the alternator, we caught a bus for $4. Coming back we ended up paying $24. Big differences in the type of taxis/buses….some are private, semi private and then subsidized….you have to ask what type it is. Whatever type, there are endless amounts, you never have to wait, in fact they are after your business. Lesson learned, ask the price before getting in!
Will head out today to Great Harbour, Peter Island, then Brewers Bay and then on Monday will head to Soper's Hole to check out of the BVIs.  From there will continue to the USVI, probably to St. John's.
December 5...Couple of jobs to do this a.m. before going in to pick up alternator.  One is to clean generator and the other is to check the bilge.  Here it is, mid afternoon and the bilge is still being checked.  It turns out, not working, and having cleaned it out using the repaired dinghy pump which, of course, is now non operational, having gone in to a chandlery here and buying a new bilge pump, the captain still has his head down the bilge.  The good news is that the alternator is ready (hopefully repaired to satisfaction).  That will be left for pick up tomorrow and installation tomorrow as well.  Once that is done we can move on.  The positive side is that Internet access is well and good and I am able to type without interruption.
December 4...Arrived in Fat Hog's without incident, moored at Penn's Marina.  Removed the alternator from the engine room, took a taxi in to Roadtown to Al's Marine.  They said no problem could be fixed by tomorrow.  Walked and found C and F restaurant, home of the fabulous scallop dinner, then walked into Sunsail and Moorings.  Checked out all the boats....unbelieveable what is available for charter.  Took a $3 cab/bus back and was well worth it.  Became part of the local atmosphere and again beautiful views along the hilly road of the harbour and shoreline.  For dinner, taxied to DoveLove and met a British couple who had been here for supposedly two years but it had turned into five.  He was a civil engineer and has been working on a new water treatment plant.

Anegada

Left this a.m. for Spanishtown, V.G. again.  Need to have the alternator looked at.  Albert came and told us that it needs to be replaced or repaired.  Chosen to have it repaired.  Will leave here tomorrow for Fat Hogs Bay, Tortola, and will take a cab in to Roadtown to Al's Marine to have it repaired.  Will spend the time at Fat Hogs for whatever time it takes for repair.
November 30, December 1, 2

Enjoying the delicious lobster

Put up the head sail and motor sailed our way to Anegada.  Once there, picked up a mooring pin belonging to the Anegada Reef Hotel.  Decided to eat on board that evening and have our Anegada lobster the next evening.  Next morning dinghied in to the Reef Hotel, made our reservations for dinner, lobster is now $52 US, found out there was a major fishing derby, Lowell Wheatley Annual Contest, former owner of the Anegada Reef Hotel and, the fishermen would be bringing in the fish at about 5 p.m.  We dinghied over to the most beautiful beach, one of the top ten in the world, had a swim, then went to have a look at the fish the fishermen and women brought in.  Some barracuda, mahi mahi, and mostly wahoo.  Lobster dinner was plentiful.  Next day we dinghied a bit further past the Anegada Beach cottages and beached the dinghy.  Walked out to the point to the cottages that Peter remembered way back when.  They were not in the greatest shape.  The waves were pretty rough so I helped Peter into the dinghy and I walked back to the main part of the town.  We then stopped by the fishing contest...more fish being brought in and had late lunch....fresh wahoo.  Yum, very meaty firm fish. Supper on board, fresh salad.

Anegada beach 

The next overnight!

one fisherman's catch...maui maui and wahoo

Barracuda teeth

                                    



Alone at last!



Anegada sunset



Virgin Gorda, still

November 22...Well, today is another day. Anchor locker cleaned out, more cleaning down below, the forward cabin ready for company, forward head still needs work. tomorrow is a day off. Renting a car to tour the island, get in some provisions, take heavy bags to boat. We both need a rest. Looking forward to getting out on the water by Tuesday.
November 23...Rented a car yesterday, drove to Leverick Bay, stopped at Savannah Bay, had lunch at Copper Mines, gorgeous vistas, then picked up some provisions with the rest of the island folk...Black Friday specials at 35 per cent off and Peter waiting patiently in line to get his paint thinner. Unbelievable!! Took luggage over to boat while we had the car. It took all day and did not even get everything done.

first step in launching

November 29...Mistress went into the water without mishap. Spent a couple of days at the Yacht Harbour finishing up repairs and then motored to Leverick Bay.  Encountered a squall but arrived safely.  Spent first evening out on the water moored to a pin.

Leverick Bay

squall

looking west from Copper Mine

Savanah Beach



Bitter End

November 30...Leaving shortly for Anegada.
Unable to load videos of the launch.  Too bad as I have some good ones.  The only picture is this one where they move the boat with the self propelled trailer.  The travel lift videos are not available to load.

Virgin Gorda

Arrived in St. Thomas. Ferry to Virgin Gorda.  Took some time in getting through customs. Staying at Fischers Cove on the beach. Cleanup begins tomorrow.
November 21...Internet not being kind. Lots of work accomplished today. Masthead light now working, frig fixed, faulty thermostat and interior spotless, head still giving us problems, probably go in the water on Monday.

View fromVirgin Gorda Yacht Harbour yard

help!  who stole the water?