Jiim Just 10 days ago we were enjoying peaceful times anchored in Benures Bay, so nice we stayed two nights there. Today, Tuesday 25 April, we are nearing the end of a 3-day passage to the Turks and Caicos Islands. As I write this on the afternoon of the third day, it is again peaceful, reminiscent of the first few days of our Atlantic crossing. But the last two days have been anything but peaceful. In the space of 48 hours we experienced a lightening storm (near but thankfully not over us), veering, increasing wind and ever increasing seas, and today a calm sea with next to no wind. So these conditions have reminded us of our Atlantic crossing 16 months ago when all various sail sets had to be tried to cope with changing weather and sea conditions. But we have missed our extra crew, their humour, height, strength, tactical talk, endurance and baking abilities. All good experience for us of course, but it took its toll on the First Mate, caught napping on watch yesterday afternoon when the weather had at last abated. Nothing that a hearty fry-up couldn't deal with…
Now a brief résumé of the intervening period since leaving Benures Bay. First a quick provisioning trip into Road Harbour on the main island of Tortola. The cruise ship, Norwegian Gem, moored close by was just a tad bigger than Follyfin.
Not wishing to join the Norwegian party, we popped over to Cooper Island for the night. Easter Sunday provided us with a frisky up-wind sail to Gorda Sound again, our purpose to join a Cruising Association (CA) cruise in company organised by the Honorary Local Representative. On the way, we had to dodge a chartered motor catamaran who obviously thought the rule ‘sail takes priority over motor’ did not apply to him, hell bent as he was on crossing our path at right-angles to get to his destination. The weather was due to change for the worse so a sheltered anchorage was required and achieved there, in the lee of Prickly Pear Island again - a mere stone’s throw from Branson’s Necker and Mosquito Islands (see previous post) and Eustatia Island, owned by Mr Larry Page, and of course you all know who that is… just Google it!
The next couple of days were overcast and not at all the weather expected in the BVI in April. In the event Follyfin was the only CA boat which turned up on time for the meet at Saba Rock. So instead, on the first evening, we enjoyed good company ashore and a delicious Caribbean BBQ dinner at the Bitter End restaurant as guests of Christopher and Vivienne Lloyd. On the following day, with the weather improving, we sailed 12nm north on our own (instead of ‘in company’) to the paradise island of Anegada. With Follyfin’s lifting keel, we were able to anchor in the inner harbour with only a couple of other boats, leaving the masses crowded together on moorings.
View from Inner Harbour
The masses outside!
Anegada is renowned for its north coast beaches and its lobster. Sampling the former, we took a taxi to Cow Wreck beach. Stayed awhile and then took our time walking back along the beach to the anchorage on the south-west side. As can be seen from the following photos, it is an unbelievably beautiful sea-scape, crystal clear shallow turquoise waters over fine white sand, and ideal for swimming, which we did several times on the way. A true tropical paradise.
Was calm for us!
The Conch rules
OK!
As for the lobster, a picture speaks a thousand words, and the beach location is idyllic, despite masses in the background.
Addendum: Wednesday 26 April
Arrived in Grand Turk at 22:30 last night having motored for the final 8 hours of the passage. Eventually anchored safely in the dark - not a piece of cake!
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