1 March 1995 Trellis Bay to Simpson Bay, St Martin (Day 1)
Typical of me, I woke up this morning and decided that if the weather forecast was right, we should go to St Martin tonight! The weather forecast seemed to be good, so we set off to Spanish Town to see if the mail had arrived from England. We got to the marina, filled up with water & diesel, then found out that there was no mail. I’d asked Carol to send it to us on the 15 February, so, after 2 weeks, it should be here.
I spent £10 ringing Carol to find out that she hasn’t got around to sending it – aaarrgggh! There can be nothing on the planet more frustrating than expecting mail and it not being there. We plan our forward movements as best we can, and it would be nice if Carol could send the mail within a few days of us asking her. She normally does a great job of handling our affairs back in the UK, but unfortunately, she doesn’t seem to understand the total trauma of missing mail!
We motored to Gorda Sound and tidied the boat up. We set sail for St Martin at half past four and managed to start off fairly well. The wind was ENE15 which allowed us to sail on a rhumb line at first.
The GPS wouldn’t work, so we had to work on dead reckoning. I reckon that the NiCad battery is completely flat. When we changed watches at eleven pm, I noticed that the log was showing speeds between 2 and 4 knots and then it stopped! I got out the trailing log and made a rough guess of our position.
2 March 1995 Trellis Bay to Simpson Bay, St Martin (Day 2)
We had a fairly pleasant sail up to about eight in the morning when we tacked at a position about 15 miles south west of St Martin. A line of squalls was approaching and the wind picked up to about 25 knots with a very confused sea. To add to the general discomfort, the stern gland was leaking and so the bilge was full of water. When we went onto starboard tack, we had water sloshing about under the chart table – Yuk!
A couple of hours later, we turned on the engine and made a dash for the eleven o’clock bridge. We just made it! Marina from “Columbine” called by for a cup of tea, just as we were putting on the sail covers. I then tightened the stern gland, cleaned out the dinghy, repaired a chafed patch on the dinghy floor, assembled and inflated the dinghy and collapsed.
I went for a cruise around in the dinghy and called in on a few people. I delivered the gin and luggage to Chris on “Willow”, then called in on “Moby Dick”, “Cooee” and “Tekaroa” (who weren’t in). In the evening we went to Lagoonies Bar, watched “Mood Indigo” practice and had burger and chips which was great. I chatted to Mood Indigo’s keyboard player Flora from “Second Flora” about types of keyboards to buy for Glenys’ birthday.
3 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
I went into Philipsburg to clear in. I went around the chandlers to check out batteries and other bits. I looked at keyboards for Glenys and picked up 144 photographs!
I went to the bank to get some money out and, Oh My God, no credit card! I had a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach as I continued to walk around town – the last time I used it was in a phone box in Virgin Gorda – had I left it there? I got back to the boat and after a bit of searching I found it in Glenys’ shorts pocket – I must have given it to her in Virgin Gorda - phew!
Kirsty and Pete from “Tekaroa” came for a beer.
4 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
We all went into town to buy a keyboard for Glenys. Typically, we eventually bought the best Yamaha “Home” model that was on offer. We then spent the afternoon fighting over who was going to play with it next. What an amazing machine. We had to read the manual twice to get a grip on all of the features.
5 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
School work in the morning. I went to chat to Guy and Marie on “Sahara Blue”. The aft heads pump sprang a leak so I had to service it. Jimmy and Marion from “Moby Dick” came for a cup of tea.
I spent a short time trying to play the clarinet with Glenys accompanying but my timing is bloody awful. I play the correct notes but I can’t fit them into the correct rhythm. I can’t even play with the metronome. So, its back to Lesson 1 of a “tune a day” using the metronome for every lesson – God help me, but it’s got to be done or I’ll never be able to play with anyone else!
6 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did school work in the morning while I ran around trying to buy things. I messed about in the afternoon and did jobs while Glenys took the boys to see if they could join a Karate class. Unfortunately, the guy in charge wouldn’t take them just for a couple of weeks. Brett was very disappointed – we were hoping that we could get the boys involved in activities with other children, but it doesn’t look very hopeful at the moment.
7 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did school work in the morning while I ran around getting photos for the boys for a US visa. We have decided to apply for a visa while we are here in St Martin. We need to send our passports off to Barbados. The surest way of doing this is to send the passports by Federal Express – unfortunately it costs a total of $70 to get them there and back. We have put out an announcement on the net to see if there is anyone else who could share the cost with us.
Glenys did the laundry in the afternoon while I pottered about. We went for a beer on “Blown Away” (US) with Scott, Sheree and Logan (4). Pizza Hut for dinner.
8 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys’ birthday. We finally got through to Gareth on the SSB – I’ve been trying for 3 days using “Sahara Blue’s” radio. Glenys went to Island Water World to chat to Gareth by telephone. No one bothered to call us about US visas so I sent them off today by ourselves - $70, boo hoo!
We went out to Eve’s for a beer and a meal with “Tekaroa”, “Columbine”, “Moby Dick” and “Sahara Blue”. I’m afraid that Glenys got very, very drunk and nearly fell into the water getting off the dinghy when we got back to “Glencora” – a good evening.
9 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys had a major hangover, threw up and sat around all day feeling sorry for herself! I did school work in the morning and looked after everyone during the afternoon. We had a Taco Bell takeaway for dinner! We had 3 separate lots of people come over to the boat and ask about US visas – they’ve now got a group of about 8 people – so they’re down to $10 each, damn my impatience!
10 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did school work in the morning, while I went over to Marigot to buy some bits and pieces. Glenys and I walked up to Foodland and Napa in the afternoon and that was the end of that day! Jimmy and Marion from “Moby Dick” invited us over to watch a video – “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”, great!
11 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
There was a boat jumble today, so we set up a stall with loads of junk. It was absolutely boiling in the beating sun, so we spent about $10 on drinks, even though we’d brought our own. We sold about $80 worth of stuff. Quite a bit was children’s books and toys, so we gave them some of the cash.
I met Mark of “Alchemy” (UK) who had a short windsurf board for sale. We went around to see him and I bought a 270 wave board with extra fin for $80 US. I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle such a small board but at $80 it’s worth an attempt!
12 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
It was blowing a hooley this morning, so I went around to “Tekaroa” with both of my boards and went windsurfing. The 270 board is hard work – I need at least 20-25 knots in order to water start with my 5.5m² sail. Pete and Kirsty had to come and rescue me because I couldn’t gybe and couldn’t get back to windward. Pete’s pretty good on it though!
I had another go in the afternoon but the wind kept dying and I would just sink down. I must have spent 1½ hrs trying to water start and sail in marginal conditions. I’m exhausted, but I think that the board is worth persevering with! Glenys did school work and played her piano.
13 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
I can hardly move this morning – I ache all over and my face and neck are sunburnt! Glenys did school work and I bought and fitted 4 new domestic batteries. Glenys went over to “Moby Dick” in the afternoon and re-upholstered their cockpit cushions.
14 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did schoolwork in the morning and I removed the reduction box on the gearbox so that I could get the oil seal on the coupling replaced. We filled up with water. I filled 1 tank. I serviced the air compressor – oil change and filter. Glenys went out for a walk in the afternoon with Brett. “Moby Dick” babysat for us and we went out for a great Mexican meal.
Our passports arrived back from the US Embassy in Barbados – no bloody visas. They put a pre-form letter in with them telling us that we need to send them our old passports with our old visas in them – bloody beaureacrats! It’s cost us $70 US to not get a visa and I’m a little bit cross! We’re going to leave it until we get to Trinidad and get a US visa there, it will be a lot less stressful.
15 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
We had a lie in this morning and went into Philipsburg. We did a fair bit of shopping, then went back to the boat and collapsed! I picked up the gearbox but couldn’t motivate myself!
16 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
School work in the morning for the others, while I refitted the gearbox. In the afternoon, Glenys started on a cover for the dinghy. After nine months in the sun it’s starting to show signs of wear so we’ve decided to cover it. I borrowed some plans for a nesting plywood dinghy from “Tekaroa” – it looks very nice and can be set up as a sailing dinghy – the boys would love it!
17 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did schoolwork and I had an admin day – tax, letters and filing! Glenys worked on the dinghy cover in the afternoon. In the evening, we picked up Chris and went to Lagoonies to watch the Brazilian group and dancers. After a while, we went around to Eve’s place for St Patrick’s Night. The food was a rip off - $5 for a plate of runny Irish stew – we’ll not go back there again!
18 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did school work and I serviced the engine. I changed the water pump impellor. Glenys is getting really good at doing school work with both of them at once – perhaps she should have been a teacher! I did more damn paperwork in the afternoon while Glenys worked on the dinghy cover.
19 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did schoolwork while I serviced the outboard. I then went and scraped the hull of “Moby Dick” – it took me 1½ hrs to scrape their 37ft Endurance which wasn’t too bad. I charged them $25 which works out at $15/hr. Glenys worked on the dinghy cover – she’s sick of it now!
20 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
We had a trip into Marigot. Glenys bought herself a new mask and a watch for diving which I had promised her at Christmas! I bought some spare pump diaphragms for the outboard – 4 x 1” bits of rubber which cost me $27! What a rip off, but if one of them fails we won’t be able to use the outboard so I had to buy them. We went to “Tekaroa” for dinner along with Chris from “ex-Naia”.
21 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did school work while I cleaned the engine room – God, I hate that job! We went for a swim by “Tekaroa” to try to catch some lobster that Kirsty had seen. They turned out to be tiddlers – I caught one but it slipped out of Kirsty’s net bag. Obviously too small!
I stuck towing points on the dinghy with some 2-part adhesive that I bought in Marigot. I had to measure 7% activator to adhesive as best as I could with a spoon – it seemed to go off too quickly, but we’ll see. We went for drinks with Derek and Alison on “Kaliba” (UK) – nice couple.
22 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
What a night – no wind, boiling hot, mosquitoes everywhere and to top it off Brett wandered in at four o’clock in the morning all worried because he’d had a nightmare about Minotaurs – too many Greek mythology books! The towing rings peeled off the dinghy with very little effort, so I’ll have to rethink the adhesive! I went into town and cleared out. I bought some new 2-part adhesive for Hyperlon – the glue I bought the other day was for PVC.
I bought a pilot for Honduras and Belize which looks very good. It sounds like a beautiful area to cruise and I’m looking forward to it. Glenys did school work in the morning and ran around like a headless chicken in the afternoon, buying food and doing the laundry. I cleaned and painted 3 of our camping gaz bottles – with the enthusiastic help of the boys. Glenys was painting two flags in the evening, so I cooked dinner – much to the amusement of the boys.
23 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon
Glenys did school work this morning – she’s catching up. They are on Lesson 68 and they should be on about 80. We’ll have to have a party when they get up to 80 because it’s halfway!
I ran around finishing a few jobs and tidying up ready to go outside the Lagoon tomorrow! It’s about time because we’ve been here over 3 weeks We received a fax from the Estate Agents saying that the tenants have finally paid their rent up to date and are willing to pay 3 months up front which is great news after 6 months of trauma!
We filled up with water and I filled 2 dive tanks. I stuck 3 towing rings on the dinghy with the 2-part Hyperlon adhesive – it was very sticky and went off in about 5 minutes instead of the 20-30 minutes as described in the instructions. It seemed to all go OK, so fingers crossed. “Kaliba” came for drinks in the evening.
24 March 1995 Simpson Bay Lagoon to Simpson Bay
Craig threw up in bed at about two o’clock this morning – don’t know why because he was fine when he got up. We filled up with fuel and water, went out on the eleven am bridge, anchored and jumped overboard – luxury!
I scraped the propeller and then started reading a book – I’ve deliberately not been reading books while we’ve been in the lagoon. I’m terribly single minded when I’m reading a book – I’ve just got to finish it! “Tekaroa” and “Columbine” came for farewell drinks. Pete and Kirsty stayed for dinner – Mike from “Columbine” is too tired after a hard days work at “Outfitters”.
25 March 1995 Simpson Bay to Anse Columbier, St Barts
We’re free! We actually left Simpson Bay! We chatted to “Morning Flight” on the radio, they will be in Antigua for the Classic Week so we might see them there. We stopped at Ile Fourche and Glenys and I went to do a dive which was nice after a lay-off of over three weeks! Glenys took the boys ashore for a scramble, while I had a nap after all that exercise.
We motored over to Anse Columbier. The boys went to the beach on the windsurf board while Glenys and I got on with our own things (clarinet for me!). It’s wonderful to be back cruising.
26 March 1995 Anse Columbier, St Barts
School work in the morning. I did a bit of epoxying. We went for a dive in the afternoon. A boat called “Pamina” wanted Glenys to modify a couple of tablecloths for her – it was a bit complicated but she earned $20. I decided to paint a watercolour map which was OK.
27 March 1995 Anse Columbier, St Barts
School work in the morning. I spent the afternoon painting another map which came out a lot better. It was a bit of a miserable day, so we played Monopoly for 4 hours in the evening.
28 March 1995 Anse Columbier, St Barts
School work in the morning. I filled 4 tanks. We motored around to Gustavia to clear in and out and do a bit of food shopping. We then went back to Anse Columbier. We went to “Cotton Club” (Can) for a drink with Phil, Sharon, Savannah (8) and Julian (4). We ended up staying for dinner and polishing off 4 bottles of wine!
29 March 1995 Anse Columbier, St Barts
Feeling a bit dull this morning, so no school work! We listened to Gareth and Fi chatting on the SSB – it’s very frustrating to hear them but not be able to talk! We think they are in Antigua until Fi goes back to the UK on the 14 April so we’ll see them in a few days.
Glenys and I went for a dive with Sharon. I filled 3 tanks. We played around in the afternoon, snorkelling etc. “Cotton Club” came for dinner and we polished off another 4 bottles of wine!
30 March 1995 Anse Columbier to Ballast Bay, St Kitts
Got up at quarter past six and managed to tidy up in 45 minutes. We had to motor all the way to St Kitts apart from about 15 minutes when we had big gusts down from St Kitts. We anchored in Ballast Bay which is very secluded. We were the only boat there for a while until 3 others showed up – I don’t think that we’ll ever have an anchorage to ourselves!
Glenys had a bit of a hangover and ended up being sick in a bucket on the passage – God knows what she would have been like if it hadn’t been flat calm! Craig caught too much sun and felt ill too! We caught a small 2ft barracuda which we had for dinner – I hope it hasn’t got Ciguatera. I think that it is only the large ones that build up the toxin.
31 March 1995 Ballast Bay to Pinneys Beach, Nevis
We motored round to Bugg’s Hole, a wonderful anchorage despite the name. Glenys and I went for a dive around the headland which was a bit disappointing. We had lunch and motored over to anchor off Pinney’s Beach. We ran out of water which was very surprising because it’s only been 9 days – perhaps we have a leak somewhere in the system – I’ll check when we get to Antigua!