Nelson’s Dockyard
Monday 11 December 17
What a treat! We are staying in the marina in Nelson’s Dockyard for 2 nights, such a fabulous place on so many levels. History, natural beauty, great restaurants and of course the super yachts makes it a special place. Glad the other Ian chose this as the place to spend his birthday!
Getting in was not straightforward though. After idling around for nearly an hour we were shown to a corner space (outward one, more fun!). Ian and Sue had been taken off Mr X by a passing dinghy so they could catch their taxi to Ray City, so it was a bit hedgy as we had to drop anchor and secure lines at the same time, all this between 2 huge beautiful super yachts. Mr X looked like a mere dinghy in comparison.
Wandering around the old dockyard is a fabulous experience. It has been lovingly restored and you get a real sense of what it was for and how important it was. The little museum has great displays and is well set out.
The highlight of the day is a wonderful meal at the Pillars. Stunning tuna!
Shirley Height
Tuesday 12th December 17
Ian & Sue are leaving tomorrow, so we need to get another swim in. Fortunately the beach is just outside the marina and only a short dinghy ride: there is a wreck and the reef is close too. We had a picnic perching on a half submerged log, mermaid fashion.
The walk to Shirley Height is made in record time, needed to or we would have missed the sunset. Well worth the effort, Montserrat in the distance provided the focal point to a magnificent sunset.
The walk back in the dark was interesting, given that we did not know where the road was taking us, nor how long it would take. As it turns out we only took one wrong turn and ended up in the boatyard across from Nelson’s dockyard, in the Brasserie. Unfortunately, the dinghy is on the beach further up, not even swimming distance. The owner of the restaurant very kindly offers to run us there in her car forgetting to mention that there is a huge dog patrolling the resort! Never seen Ian unlocking the padlock so fast! We had to have a drink in the Brasserie to recover from our emotions.
