The Spanish Virgin Islands, between the USVIs and Puerto Rico, are each and every one of them, pure little gems. We loved Culebra, where we met up with Time after Time and Fairy Queen, perfect timing. We continued to Sun Bay and Green Bay in Vieques. Palominos Island was our last stop before Puerto Rico.
In Puerto Rico, we met with Christine and plotted our return to the UK later in the month.
A superb sailing ground, so many places to see and explore, all within a few miles of each other. A bit sad to see the devastation brought by Hurricane Irma, especially in Sopers Hole on Tortola . Still, things are looking up and the full moon parties are once again a must see in Treillis bay. The Baths were turned into a washing machine by strong swell, shame. Little Peter Van Dyke, Norman and Peter Island were just what you would expect… fabulous!
Dual personality island: St Marteen is Dutch, St Martin is definitely French! Glad we arrived in time for the carnival (1, 2, 3, 4 days of it) on the French side, we had some work done in the lagoon on the Dutch side, Simpson Bay, we visited Philipsburg, capital of the dutch side and Marigot, capital of the French side. Hurricane Irma has left some scars everywhere on the island but Grand Case, virtually deserted brought it home.
Our first Dutch island, looking forward to explore Statia after a wet and windy passage from Nevis to Statia. We love Oranjstad, the capital, and took the opportunity to have a good leg stretch, up and then around the Quill Volcano
Not all sunshine and calm weather, nevertheless, we enjoyed Nevis. We had a nice passage from Montserrat, a great day on the buses, we explored Charlestown and the Montravers old plantation. We also met some interesting locals…
The anchorage in Little Bay Montserrat is very rolly, so we did not stay long. We have a good flavour of the island with Jo’s tour which was a must and a hike around the wild prickly bush of the hills above the bay. Time after Time kept us company.
We were a bit worried about going to Barbuda after hurricane Irma, but I am glad we did. The most stunning beaches fringed a very wild island. We only had time to visit Low Bay and Coco Point, and we only had one walk in the interior. We could definitely have spent a lot longer there but we need to get back to Antigua… Racing Christine all the way!
Sailing in company around Antigua was a lot of fun, Christine and Sealife made the anchorages far more interesting. From Non Such bay to Rabbit Island, via long Island, these few days were extremely enjoyable. We enjoyed it so much in fact that we carried on to Barbuda together. Shame it had to come to an end…with a beach BBQ!
Anchored in Falmouth Harbour for the duration, we had a busy time of it. Exploring Nelson’s Dockyard & Shirley Height, walking to English Harbour, and Blockhouse in Antigua National Park and we joined the local Hash. Loads of socialising, Christmas eve, Christmas day. It is a wonder we still had the energy to race on New Year’s eve and carried on dancing all night. Down time on Pigeon Beach was more than welcomed. Old and new friends made it a lot of fun.
Room for a little one?? Mr X is positively dwarfed by the super yachts surrounding her. Only two days left of Ian and Sue’s holiday so we are packing it in… Explore Nelson’s Dockyard and walk to Shirley Height, dinner in a swanky restaurant for Ian’s birthday, lunch on the beach, snorkel on the reef… Exhausting!