SEA BEAR

A sailing blog about a skipper and his yacht

Antigua 8th Feb to 15th March

by chris ayres | Mar 16, 2015 | Voyage Logs | 2 comments

I have been here in Antigua for 5 weeks now, the last month in the delightful company of Wendy who flew out to join me. When I arrived first on the agenda was the need for a bimini. The sun shades I had were all very well for when at anchor but some shade whilst sailing was desirable and whilst waiting for Wendy to arrive seemed the ideal time to get it sorted. A visit to AF sails set the process in motion, a process that took some time and was not completed until after Wendy had arrived but eventually Sea Bear was fitted with a bimini and so shade whilst sailing, it made a lot of difference to comfort in the cockpit.
Plans to do a little Island hopping were shelved as we have been having unusually strong winds, days of constant 25 plus knots of wind and higher and at times a rough sea state. There has been plenty to do nonetheless, some delightful anchorages and bays to visit,mainly on the west side of the island, Carlisle bay , Hermitage Bay, Five Islands, Deepbay, Dickenson’s Bay, Turners beach and Jolly Harbour but also in the North, navigating through the reefs to anchor off Jumby Bay, Great Bird Island, a beautiful deserted island, where we saw turtles, stringrays, lizards, hermit crabs, tropic birds, frigate birds and more. Beaches to swim from and walk along. Walks over Middle ground, to Shirley heights and up Fig Tree Drive. Reggae music drifting out at time across the water. A bus ride across the island to St Johns for the markets and lunch in the Palm Court Restaurant, sounds grand but in fact a small local eatery with Creole style food. Fish and lobster meals in beach side restaurants. It has all been pretty perfect really, the people are friendly and helpful, the sea a most amazing turquoise and such a perfect temperature for swimming, the sunsets wonderful.