Well we have spent a few days now in English Harbour at Nelson’s Dockyard. It is quite fascinating to think that the man himself once walked around these buildings.
The tourists come by the busload to visit the ruins/converted buildings. There is a small museum which gives the story of the place in its glory days. The Bay where we anchored is full of old relics and apparently boats often get their anchor snagged on something that belonged to those days. We were given a broken, encrusted bottle from a guy who had been down checking our anchor. When Gareth and Catherine visited the museum they saw similar ones on display.
The time here has been interesting in that many friends from the ARC were also here. This has meant we have been able to catch up on their adventures and future plans.
There is also a reef just at the entrance to the harbour which has some amazing sea life. We went out by dinghy and did some snorkelling. The swell picked up though and it was a tad bouncy so we didn’t spend as long as we had hoped to. Getting back into the dinghy was reminiscent of our 4000 days!
The superyachts that come into the Bay are just something to be seen. They are enormous and polished to the point of reflecting on the water. The metal work gleams and the crew are equally polished. Nice work if you can get it I guess. Personally the thought of parking something that size would give me nightmares. What it does make you realise is how unfair the wealth distribution of the world is.
On Sunday night we listened to some live music from the ‘jump up’ at Shirley Heights. We had thought to take the youngsters along but they felt too jet lagged and want wait till next week instead.
Having had a really heavy downpour of rain overnight we though perhaps the showers at the marina might be working again. Alas no and still so bad the cappuccino machine in the café can’t be used due to lack of water. We have overcast weather again today with the promise of a few sprinkles. However the temp is 29 and the humidity just something else. (I know you feel for us!).
Tragedy struck in the middle of the night, mid downpour. The loo got blocked and wouldn’t pump. (for gory detail see technical section)
We left English Harbour and headed to a reefed bay known as Nonsuch /Green Island. En route we spotted one of the rowing boats arriving. These are either single or double handed rowing boats which left La Gomera in Canaries not long after we did. They have rowed the Atlantic in these tiny little craft and have been out there for some 60 days. What an achievement. So we turned the boat and went close to shout well done and hooray etc. Got a big lump in my throat as it brought back some memories. It turned out to be an all girl crew to boot. They will get a huge welcome when they get in to English Harbour. There have been 3 others to date and there are still a lot to come. Just can’t begin to imagine their journey.
So here we are again ‘just liming’ Gareth and Catherine are naturals at it which is great. The Bay is surrounded by reef and we have been out snorkelling it. It is quite sad actually as there is not a lot of life in it. We have had a visited from a turtle or two but they are probably only about 10 years old as they were quite small ones.
Today a crown of people have been landed on the bleached white sandy beach for a BBQ. The island is privately owned but we are allowed as far as the beach. Can’t be doing with all this exclusivity stuff when you are in such a remote place anyway.
Having to run the watermaker and generator today as supplies are low at th
