Made it to Antigua

Yesterday morning around 9:45 we arrived at the fuel dock. A scary few moments of docking as reverse took awhile to activate. We added 188 gallons of diesel. Then, we waited…. For about 2 hours before Nelson’s Dock Yard was able to help us med moor.
As expected, it was a circus. Lorena doesn’t reverse well and Sherman had to just on our boat to assist us. We had let out all the chain and the line was getting stuck on the gypsy. We had to remove it and finally, after about an hour of bow thrusting (which died) and reverse, we were finally secured at dock.
We immediately went to immigration and check in, then Brian went to check into the boat yard, while I showed the crew around. Back on the boat we had things to put away, the gypsy to fix and wanted to get water in the tanks.
We walked over to ABSAR hoping to have Brian’s finger looked at, but they were closed for the day. We then went to Isabelle (and Eric’s) store, La Brassarie. Had a juice and a coffee, and chatted with Michelle and Nick (who I had meant a couple of times, recently in Hampton and before that in Atlantic Highlands). They are from the UK and have been living aboard for 3-4 years, but last year Michelle had a brain tumor removed. She looks great and even attended yoga class this morning.
We had dinner at Antigua Yacht Club. While there the sky opened and it poured for a couple hours…. It was tough as I knew our aft cabin portals were open and I just wanted a good night sleep in fresh sheets. Instead, it was on top of soaking wet sheets.
Brian passed out shortly after we got back. I noticed the battery was at 11% and ran the generator. I stayed up for 1.5 hours, chatting with the guys as Andy packed. Eventually they went off to take a shower and I went to the wet bed.
Andy was leaving at 6:30am, but at 5:20 he woke us saying that the boat batteries had died. Brian tried to start the generator, but it wouldn’t go. However, there was a surge in batteries and he was able to start it. We chatted with the guys, said goodbye to Andy and Michael went off for a run. We had coffee and breakfast, and then I went to teach yoga on the lawn… thinking a handful of people would show up, but there were actually 9 people.
After we went back to ABSAR for a Dr appt. She sent us to Belmont Clinic for X-rays and it turns out that Brian’s finger is ok, but he has a Jones fracture on his 5th metatarsal that is not joining. Donald, the taxi driver took us to St Johns and wait while we got the X-rays, then we returned.
We bought some fruit (vegetables) from Maynard, and went to see Blossom across the street at the juice stand (and Nevel at the Dive shop). Then a pit stop at Covent Garden (grocery) to pick up more produce.
Back in the boy we looked at the stern gland and the option of replacing the flax. Doing it while in the water makes me nervous! The rain rolled in and we cut the job short… perhaps we will hire someone to do it.
I had the Hawaiian Beef Casserole for super and then we went to the Mexican spot for drinks, with Michael and the Salty Dawgs. We sat at the table with Steve and Jen on Second Chance (from Colorado). They were 40-50 miles ahead of us the whole trip and are our neighbours on the dock.
Back to the boat and time for bed 🛏️. We all need sleep!!Read more