Northerly swell
While we were in the BVI it is quite easy to get a bit casual with the weather forecasts. However one day we were anchored in Virgin Gorda off Prickly Pear Island when we noticed some quite heavy winds and some big waves out to sea and across the reefs. The wave became so big that they were crashing clean over the bows of any boat trying to leave Virgin Gorda. It was only several days later that we heard this was one of the biggest storms of the year so far, sweeping down from the USA. When the storms come from the USA they bring with them huge swells that get into all the normally quiet anchorages.So we were rather lucky that were were tucked up in Gorda sound.
Following the swells we have 5 days of 35 knot winds. We tied up to a mooring buoy in Sopher hole and just sat it out. However we saw a stream of charter boats braving the elements only to come back into the harbour rather worse for wear.In the harbour all the moorings were full and the harbour was too deep to anchor, but the desperate charterers at the end of a hard days sailing still gave it a try, which resulted in mayhem and dragging. I spent much of my time jumping into the dinghy to assist some poor soul, including one case where the man was on the helm and the wife had locked herself in the cabin. They were so grateful for the help that they bought all the girls presents and me a bottle of very special rum.
Bartrams come to stay. We were so excited to have Lucy, Amber, Tommy and Sebby to stay on board for the week. There was non stop playing, and Amber even admitted she actually quite liked boats as well as ponies. Tommy steered wind belle excellently up wind for 2 hrs in 15 -20 knots.
During the windy week, the BVI regatta was scheduled, and I bumped into Stuart and Emma, with their Swan 70 Stay Clam and crew that included Neil and Lisa Mc Donald.(Lisa and Neil had their new baby with them and it was quite a sight to see Neil changing a nappy and being all googoo over his kid.) Of course he was also the consummate professional sailor and charming but still had time to show interest in the 14s and Itchenor.Any way they invited me sailing and we had great fun, in 30 knots charging along in the big swan. We were the only boat to put our spinny up and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Stay Clam easily won the regatta.
Following the regatta, Emma and Stuart asked the whole Wind Belle crew to spend a day on Stay Calm cruising. Sophie really enjoyed the day off as Hamish and Helen (the crew) looked after us so well, while the girls really enjoyed playing with Amy and Jack who are the Stay Calm kids. I just enjoyed being on a beautiful boat like a Swan for the day. Following this, we spent a couple of really fun days cruising in company with the Stay Clam Gang, including a visit to the legendary Foxys bar in the poring rain.
Barnie and Amanda come to stay.
We had a great week with Barnie, Amanda, Anoushka, and Jack (the green rabbit). The kids played brilliantly together, with Sienna adopting Jack as her own real baby. true Hartley form meant that Jack projectile poohed across the boat. (see last June's blog when Hartley's stayed on the boat). Anoushka had grown up so much that she was really part of the wind Belle girls crew. Anoushka was so impressed with the colour of the sea water that she called it a swimming pool.