Seasons greetings from yacht Ensemble.
We've certainly had a couple of full days sailing!
Yesterday we sailed from Deshaies, Guadeloupe to Sandy Point, St Kitts, getting in just at sunset (6pm).
This morning we had a 6am start and sailed all day, arriving in Whelk Bay, Peter Island (BVI)at 8pm. We arrived a couple of hours after dark - not for the faint hearted - as the charts all have a 'health warning' of "warning - uncharted coral head reported in this area".
Both days the conditions have been good - with sunny skies, a following sea and winds of 15 to 20 knots... sailing heaven!
Yesterday we sailed past Monsterrat and saw the volcano still issuing smoke and steam - and the smell of rotten eggs. (It's amazing people still live there!)
We sailed all day to get to the northern-most point of St Kitts and anchored with the bay to ourselves.
We knew today was going to be a long day - over 110 nm - but because of reported boat visa difficulties for all the US Caribbean Islands, we couldn't stop in St Croix and had to sail the extra 40nm on through to the BVI.
Welk Bay is a good sheltered natural harbour. There was little moonlight - but fortunately the bay was lit up like a Christmas tree by superyachts... and is just 4nm from Road Harbour, Tortola, where we are meeting my brother and his wife on the 30th - so a couple of days rest and relaxation (... of course in boatie reality that means cleaning and repairs...) and we'll be ready for our guest and the ensuing New Years celebration. Plenty of champagne and (of course) gourmet dining!
We'll think about the details after a lazy start and a morning swim!
Cheers
Dave & Magali
28Dec2011 009