Antigua!

http://www.caribbeanislands.us/antigua.htm

After some adventuring in Montserrat and spending a few days in another rolly anchorage we were excited for the comforts and the rondevous of family that awaited us in Antigua.  As well as sailing week, the biggest Regatta in the Caribbean!  When planning our route down the chain the Montserrat to Antigua leg was something we weren't looking forward to.  Looking at passage weather.com rolling around in the Little Bay anchorage looking at the forcast 15 knot NE winds which were expected to strengthen over the next few days, it was decided we better get a good night sleep.  We would have to bite the bullet and slog over to Antigua before Neptune got any angrier. 

Well....  The passage was not at all as expected.  We had full sail out and were doing 2.5 knots.  You could have driven an RC boat to Antigua.  After some motor sailing we took the sails down, got the Yanmar purring along at 2100rpm, set up the auto pilot to point the bow at the sea bouy in Jolly Harbor, made some cold cocktails, and enjoyed the afternoon with some good laughs.  Customs was a bit more sporty then usual.

We also had a trip highlight and a new wildlife species to add to the list on this leg.  DOLPHINS!!!  Its always so fun to see a big pod of dolphins on a calm sea and, like what often happens, a few came over to play in Areyto's bow wake!  AWESOME!!!

Check out the Video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5tEgdQwlmU

We arrived in Antigua a few days before my family was expected and plopped down in the beautiful Jolly Harbor anchorage for a few days of catching up on the blog and doing alot of relaxing before everyone arrived.  My parents had rented a great two bedroom condo that had a dock for Areyto. 

So, Mom, Dad, my sister, brother-in-law, and my adorable 5 month old niece were all coming down so we could spend Easter together!  My parents stayed a few days longer than my sister's family so we didn't tour around much while they were there.  Grandma stayed home and watched the baby while the rest of us did a nice little day sail to snorkle a wreck.  Unfortunatly the visibility was poor, but it was a nice sail, and a relaxing lunch aboard Areyto.  We also had lots of wonderful beach time, family time, and a bit of automotive excitement!!  It was amazing to see how much my niece had developed and it was great to hear about whats going on with my sister and brother-in-law as they move onto the next part of their lifes.  Time well spent!  Thanks for making time and coming down Brennans!

After they left, my parents, Andrew, and I set off on a few days of island touring in the rental car. 

Antigua is home to some of the best natural harbors in the eastern Caribbean.  The British reconized this early on in the days of colonial development and Antigua was a main center for the British.  One of the most notable characters from that time was Lord Nelson.  There are many great tales about Nelson and his career with the British navy.  Simply stated, mainly what he did while in the Caribbean and Antigua was enforcement of the "Navigation Acts".  These acts basically restricted English and foreign ships in a way to benefit England.  This was in the days of piracy and when enforcing these acts led to some interesting battles on the seas between the English against the French and Dutch.  Nelson was unpopular with many groups in the Caribbean because of his role with the Navigation Acts.  There is much to his story if you care to research further.  He was shot and died in battle.  He requested the men carrying him below after he was shot to stop next to the helmsman.  Nelson felt the need to discuss some of the handlings of the tiller with him before he was carred below to die.  He was quite a guy.

Thus, one of our first stops was Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbor.  My father has had an interest in Nelson for a long while and had always wanted to visit here.  His side of our family is mainly English and so there is a particular curiosity regarding the English role in the development of the Caribbean.  All of the old colonial buildings have been restored and it is still a very functioning modern day port, complete with sail loft, mechanics, carpenters, etc.  Some very famous wooden yachts have been built or restored in Antigua.  It was a great time to be there as well because many of the race week boats were coming in for the day.  Lots of neat boats and people!

We also visited the famous "Devils Bridge".  Which, the road leading to it, if you didn't know, is clearly marked with a sign that reads "Loading Dock  ---->" with some hotel's name on it.  You go down this dirt road and pass the loading dock and the employee parking lot for the hotel to Devil's Bridge.  There were more then a few "K-turns" performed on the drive there.

Another notable spot was one of the old sugar plantations.

One of the yacht races finished right off of Jolly Harbor.  It was a little sporty out that day.  It was fun to watch the boats sail in!

We spent alot of time in Antigua with my family and I'm very greatful that they took their time to come down and visit.  Thank you.  :-)

But all things must come to an end.  And a long, wet, sporty sail to Guadoloupe awaited!

The spray hose was an important item to be in control of during the passage from Monterrat.  Here it is secured on "my side".  Andrew would wield it later to my dismay.

Happy Easter!  The whole family in Antigua!  Yay!!  (Photo credit, Andrew)

The sail loft at Nelson Dockyard.  I'm sure not the first sail loft my parents have been to together by a long shot.

The boys watching some of the yacht racing.  I'm pretty sure we were all thinking the same thing.  "That guy could use a little more halyard tension...."  err... "I wish I was out there"  (photo credit: Barbara Henry)

The old capstans used to careen the English ships.  Better have that bottom clean to catch those smugglers!  Racing yachts along the harbor wall in the background.  (photo credit:  Barbara Henry)

Later I spoke to a local who explained to me that "Loading Dock" is actually slang Antiguan for "Devil's Bridge".  That would have been helpful to know earlier in the day...  suck teeth.  (photo cedit:  Barbara Henry)

We wanted to climb up this.  But there were bees.  no thanks.  (photo credit:  Barbara Henry)

Beautifully restored windmill.  (Photo credit:  Barbara Henry)

Areyto takes a week long nap before she takes some blows on the way to Guadaloupe.  (photo credit:  Barbara Henry)

The wind and the rain awaits!  See you in Guadaloupe!