Lucky Lorena

We have been in Antigua now for one week. I have taught 5 yoga classes, we have gone to 4 Salty Dawg events, meant up with Brian’s friend from work (FTI), rented a car and we both had medical appointments (annual), bloodwork and dental appointments (cleaning). Driving in Antigua (the opposite side of the road) is always a challenge!
Swapping stories with other boats, we realize that we were very fortunate this passage, and had very little damage. Other boats lost there alternators, generators, auto pilot, snapped the boom, blew out sails, and a few rouge waves that cracked a transom and smashed out portals/ windows and broke brackets. Many boats stopped in Bermuda for fuel and repairs!
For the past week we have caught up on sleep, did laundry, moved from Nelson’s Dockyard to the anchorage in Falmouth (Freeman’s Bay), made lists, replaced the stern gland (stuffing box) that was constantly leaking (I managed to get the flax out, with the help of crew member Michael (who broke a tool inside), while water was coming in — Brian left to find a replacement tool, but I McGyvered it, using a fishing hook and a screw.
Slowly we are putting lines and fishing gear away, and transferring things back to the crew cabins. The floor boards are swollen, so we need to pull them up and dry them out. We removed the foot board that I made for the passage (to keep the headboard from falling on us) and washed the boat down with fresh water and polished he. I also worked on removing g the grime and dirt from the windshield/ salon windows….. using various solutions as they are polycarbonate and tough to clean without scratching. Eventually it went like this: soap, water and vinegar wash, fresh water, soap & water, fresh H2O, baking soda paste, fresh water, soapy water, fresh rinse and a 210 spray. This finally made the windows clearer… x 3
Andy left on Tuesday and Michael left the island on Saturday, although he left the boat on Thursday. He generously took us out to Indian Summer before leaving. Michael and I did the middle ground hike to Pidgeon Beach and had drinks and a nice chat at Catherine’s Cafe.
Last night we went to Shirley Heights with Brian’s friends and then to Antigua Yacht Club for steak night. As I write this, I am sitting at La Vie en Rose by La Brasserie. They are a French pastery shop run by Isabelle and Eric… wonderful people. I cannot have most of the pastries, but we went for Tapas on Saturday night with fellow sailors Dan (Shanemere) and Robin and Leeka (Lana). This morning I made sure the No Foreign Land app info was updated with their contact info and pictures. They sell pastries via a dinghy in the morning and they actually bought me gluten free cookies and delivered it to the boat (free) this morning! So sweet!
As I write, Brian is on the boat with A& F Sails, getting the butterfly hatch measured, for a new cover.
Yesterday I had a Freeing the Human Spirit Board meeting and we talked about how we could use the book that Brian and I completed as a fundraiser (every $50 donation delivers 1 book to inmates). This morning I met with Michaela and excited that we are now in a Quebec prison. Lots of work to do both for FTHS, and on the boat for the next 10 days. However, we have decided to stay in Antigua untill December 6th, so we can spend the day with my friends Sheila and Jamie from Moncton (who will be here via a cruise ship).Read more