Slow start to a short day. Said our good bye’s to the guests, got all situated back as a crew of 3, instead of 7 and headed north again.
Charlie Tango, gave us a ride to the airport to clear customs and say adieux to the new crew. We found one store open on the way back to the boat, swung in to pick up some protien and maybe some bread. Seems the holiday had the bakery on vacation too, so only found some frozen wings, and now that the freezer is working again – we picked those up for dinner or snack along the way.
Going north on the lee side of the island that mostly blocks the wind we were ready for a motor sail and or trawler run, and got the fishing lines out early. Pulled the jib and we saw some pretty good speed through water and were close enough for the water depth to play tricks and hopefully lure a fish onto our hooks. As par for the course, no joy.
Its like when you want it to rain, it never does, when you want the wind behind you its on your nose, this is what its all about.
Our destination was Walibou, where they shot the Pirates movies, we have been there before but figured it was fun once so lets try again. We got there, twas pretty empty, which we normally would have liked, the northern swell was causing the place to be quite rolly, which we noticed before even picking a spot to anchor & stern tie. The boat boy that had come out to great us, was following us in, we informed him that we weren’t staying and going 2 bay’s back south as there was a cute town to explore. He met us there and showed us where to anchor and stern tie. Its protected from the rollers by a rock formation that stops the northern swell but still lots of tide/current that a stern tie is still necessary. We dug out the long stern line and had him run it ashore to a palm tree and we dropped the anchor and set the bridle. All good, then we needed a stern bridle, last time we let a boat boy tie that bridle we had to cut it off. I decided to give it a college try and jumped in the water with a short piece of line to be the sacraficial piece if we needed to cut something, instead of the expensive long stern line that is tied to the palm tree. My first attempt held, well for about 20 mins it was. The second attempt is still holding, a rolling hitch double long and a bowline to a shackle. That stern line is amazingly strong, and holy cow how is that one palm tree holding us here? When the line gets taunt, it sounds like an electric string on a guitar if you pluck it.
The boat boy is so nice, just said I’ll leave you to get settled and come back later and see if you need anything. We just chilled most of the day, watched the locals as this is their town and where the boat boys hang out when not working and today is a holiday after all, so lots of liming going on.
Its not the most scenic paradisical spot, but it is a protected from the swells. Our boat boy will be back in the morning with some fresh veggies and a baguette and we’ll settle up with him then.
Wailabou has had some issues recently with people boarding the boats at night or when the owners are on excursion, so we are being extra careful here, locking the doors and hatches tonight. Stowing the fishing poles, locking the dingy to the boat, etc – just to be sure.
As I was cooking dinner the children had spotted our stern tie, and took the opportunity to use it as a elevator and try to balance on it when the line got taunt. Was quite amussing as when I was tying the rolling hitch it pulled me out of the water by 4 feet with each surge. Then they boarded the boat on the sugar scoops off the back, sort of freaked us out. Normal boat ettiquite is, “permission to come aboard” before swimming up. Twas all good, just normal kids having fun and asking questions and wanting soda or cookies if we had any to give. Wayne responded, we have beer and I’m not going to give you any of that.
Jerked hot wings and rice with a side of peas for dinner.
No internet here, so these might get posted when we get to St Lucia in the morning.