Passing Time

So what’s been going on …Well not much in the way of sailing stuff to be honest, mostly socialising. Let’s see, highlights of the last week or so have been:

A late night ‘get together’ on Lista Light where much Rum was drunk and many a bad song was sung. Marcus & I on guitar, Jess on flute, Freya on Percussion and Penny whistle. Everyone on vocals – my apologies to the rest of the anchorage!

A huge BBQ on Freemans Beach where we built a huge fire, found a grill and made a beer cooler and everyone got to play with machetes. All in all there must have been around 25 people, many of whom I had never met before.

Going to the Sunday night ‘Jam Session’ at the local bar. We (the usual suspects – James, Freya, Marcus, Marcus & Jess and I) were joined by Emily, Dave & Katherine of Lista Light where I think I shocked everyone with my ‘moves’ on the dance floor. Jeez – I can’t even remember the last time I danced, probably in Las Vegas in a previous life! I did get ‘Hit On’ by a scary German doris much to the amusement of everyone…

Anyways, the ‘house band’ is pretty well versed in ‘their’ songs so it’s quite hard to join in but I did manage to end up playing the Tom-tom drums. We have all vowed to learn at least one song all together and perform it on stage before we leave Antigua! I might even grab a guitar this Sunday and have a bash …

With time on my hands I have made the effort to learn some new songs on the guitar and find myself going through a David Gray, Tracy Chapman & Bob Marley phase songs on the ‘hit list’ are:

DG - Babylon, Sail Away, This Years Love, Say Hello Wave Goodbye
TC – Baby Can I hold You, Talkin About A Revolution, Fast Car, For My Lover
BM – 3 Little Birds, Redemtion Song, Is This Love, Jammin, No Woman No Cry

Being that nobody ever knows ALL the words to a song I have decided to learn to sing them as well at least well enough to carry everyone else – God Help everyone!

I have been helping Freya paint Otahi and we have been doing lots of work on Veracity to get her ready for Classics. Replacing Halyards, installing DeadEyes, removing superfluous rigging, painting etc. We intend to do a few evening practice sails this weekend. Our only remaining dilemma is the ‘costume’ and Freya & Jess having the time to ‘run up’ 8 outfits!

With my windows now secure (thanks again Sym), my only outstanding ‘chore’ is the state of Doris’ bottom. The AntiFoul from new has, understandably, worn ‘thin’ (understatement) and these Caribbean waters are alive! The situation is not helped by the fact that I am now at anchor. Research into local prices means that I am going to have to spend around £1000 - £1500 on paint (£250 / tin!!! @ ~3 tins) & haul out (~£500 including pressure wash & chocking etc) if I do it here in the Caribbean. The local Slipway quoted me over $2100USD!!!! - Not worth it, considering I am only going to be here until May and then return to the UK, probably lifting her as soon as I arrive to go on a Sales hard standing.

So the plan is to clean her by diving as best as I can now, have a ‘Bottom Scrubbing Party’ just before I leave and then once underway, the growth should slow down. I can always have another scrub in the Azores and the water will be cooler, again slowing down the growth – I hope! I may try Crutey’s idea of buying a length of hose to attach to my snorkel …

Anyone reading this and considering setting off on a similar trip – Buy as much from the UK as you can, I would advise a mini chandlery and ASDA in your own boat!

So … that’s me (us). I will at some point do the tourist thing.
Watch this space for another (none) exciting episode!