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.