Non Such Bay
Wednesday 3rd January 18
Time to lift anchor, we have been in Falmouth Harbour well before Christmas and we have had a lot of fun there but there are so many other places to see!
Leaving Falmouth however is not straight forward. Christine has been anchored quite closed to us and retrieving the anchor is dicey, don’t fancy dinking Christine at this stage. We managed to avoid collision, but the anchor buoy’s line get caught in the propeller in the process, we have to re-anchor on the other side of the channel to sort it out. Fortunately it is quite easy, the line has been cut clean and unravelling it from the prop soon done. No damage to the prop either.
From Falmouth we go to east, not so go as far as the wind is concerned but we sailed most of the way and the wind is not so high. The coast line is amazing, green high cliffs soon make way to more gentle rolling hills. We can see plenty of superb golden beaches and very few buildings.
Getting through the reef is quite exciting, the wind and the sea are high and waves are breaking up on the rocks a bit too close for comfort. We are rewarded by much calmer water even if the wind is still strong. Non such bay is reminiscent of Union, the water is well protected by the reef, but very little shelter from the wind which blows consistently for the whole duration we are here, day and night. All the good sheltered places by the hill are taken. The anchorage out by the reef is busy but so big that it does not feel crowded. We anchor near the beach where the windsurfers take off. And there are plenty of them about. Would love to try, but don’t think I have the heart for it… they are going out in 25 plus knots of wind, I would be flying! It is beautiful to watch though. We do spend an inordinate amount of time just gazing at their antics.
Thursday 4th January 18
Next morning is still blowy, no way we can go exploring or snorkel on the reef, so we spend the day onboard. Early afternoon, Christine turns up in the bay and bagged the best sheltered space, but then again if we had a lifting keel it would be easy. Not realising how blowy it is out by the reef, Peter and Lynn set off to do some snorkelling, half way there they turn back and come and say hello instead! Cup of tea anyone?
Friday 5th January 18
We’re catching up on chores, the sea is still rough and the rain has been lashing down on and off. Housework has suffered over the Christmas and New Year festivities. Time to have a bit of a clean up.
Saturday 6th January 18
I guess the weather is not improving, it is still raining intermittently and the wind and sea is maddening. Shame really, it is so beautiful , if only it was a bit calmer we could go and have a look at the fishes on the reef… although as Ian points out if we were to wait for the weather to be perfect we would have to stay here for days on end…
Still we do the socialising instead. When fed up with the wind and the rolling we just decamp to Christine who is anchored in a much quieter place. Ian plays around with the stuff that is not quite working properly. Lynn swears that the gremlins have taken over. The day goes fast when you are chatting away with friends.
Sunday 7th January 18
Dickinson Bay
That ‘s it, we moving on. Heading for Long island inside the northwest coast of Antigua. We have to go a long way north to go around the miles long reef protecting the island. Again getting out of the bay is nerves wracking especially as the waves are much higher and on the nose. Peter, full of pluck as usual, decides to go through the gap in the north, thus cutting a bit chunk of the way (lifting keel!). We slog all we way round and it is a hard slog too. By the time we reach Dickinson bay which is deserted, we are ready for a rest, we carry on tomorrow. The bay overlooked by a golden cliff is scenic if you turn your back to the posh resorts at the other end of the beach.
The sea is so clear that you can see red spotted rays in the water. One gives us a great jumping display.