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Cathy Manuel

Cathy Manuel

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    • Cathy ManuelTravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)
      1

      Good Friday

      March 29, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

      Lots of motor boats/ yachts coming into the bay for Easter weekend. They are all rafting together and forming a half circle around us.
      I had several calls today… chatted with Melanie (so good to talk to friends), called and messaged Steph for his Birthday, and spoke with a lifer who had spend 39 years in prison and was just released two years ago. Was interesting to get his perspective.
      In the afternoon we headed out to find a pastel and anchored on a tenuous spot. There are two anchors in the dinghy and Brian uses both when making art.
      When coming back to the boat we went for a swim and showered off the the transom before starting to prepare for dinner.      Read more

    • Cathy ManuelTravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)

      Beach walk

      March 27, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

      Today and tomorrow will be work days, trying to get things done before the Easter weekend and we do another passage. The weather window looks like we will be leaving on Tuesday and traveling another 280 miles.
      My work days are always stressful as I try and juggle helping Brian with my other responsibilities. The boat is a lot of work for one person and sometimes he is overwhelmed and I can’t help, so it puts him in a foul mood. Thursday was one of those days and I was feeling very tender and torn.
      We did work on the boat, swam and Brian did a pastel of a beautiful beach, on an isolated peninsula while I read and walked.
      It is such a stunning area that photos do not do it justice! The colors of the water sparkle blue, green, brown and white. So nice to relax in a quiet anchorage for a few days!      Read more

    • Cathy ManuelTravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)

      Impeller

      March 26, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

      As is often the case, plans for the day get derailed when other parts of the boat call for attention. Each morning we run the generator for 2hours to try and charge the batteries. This morning I was in the head and heard it stop — not good news.
      When I came out Brian explained that the impeller would need to be changed and it was a two person job. I was able to invert and take my 8:30am call with Sebatien on my cell phone.
      After the call and a bit of work, we tackled the impeller and successfully changed it, so the generator is running again.
      After doing more Otesha work, we got the dinghy down and went for a little spin around the Bay… meeting other Salty Dawg catamaran couple, John and Rebecca (and kids Luc and Rachel). We also anchored the dinghy and Brian did a pastel while I started my new book, Kon-Tiki.
      Back on the boat Brian reworked the pastel, we got supper ready and he then played the guitar while I marvelled at the moon.      Read more

    • Cathy ManuelTravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)

      Cluebra

      March 25, 2024 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

      On my night watch (with Brian sleeping in the pilothouse), there was a large cruise ship that passed closeby. Later in the morning a freighter was on a collision course with us and Brian had me radio them (Carribean Force) to ask for instruction. Although I have the VHF course and have used it occasionally I don’t have much experience, so it was good practice.
      When we started to get closer to land I looked back at the fishing line that Brian had put out at Dawn and realized that something bigger then the cedar plug was trailing behind the boat. It was a Barracuda, but had died in the line and we didn’t keep it since we didn’t know how long it had been dead and what water it was caught in. There is a disease called Ciguatera, that is found in tropical fish life and is horrible for humans affecting the nervous system.
      Once we arrive in Culebra and anchored, we got some food and then headed for bed as we were both tired. Brian slept till nearly 6pm, but I was up a couple hours earlier and finally finished reading my book!! Then I called Kimmy ~ miss my friends.
      The alternator is not working to recharge the batteries and the generator is only sub par so we are limiting the amount of energy consumption, which means Starlink is off unless I am working.
      We weren’t up long before hitting the bed again. Brian stayed up to do some art but I was out by 8:30pm (and slept till 7am).      Read more

    • Cathy ManuelTravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)

      Blue Magic

      March 24, 2024 in Sint Maarten ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

      Up early and made pancakes, a Sunday tradition. I had a board meeting at 9:30 and Brian was heading to Blue Magic to help with there refrigeration issues. Board meeting ran 1.5hours and I worked for another two on follow up things.
      Unfortunately, we couldn’t leave the Bay untill 4pm, when the bridge opened again. After I was finished working Brian wanted to take me for a little tour. We swung by Blue Magic to see how they were doing and Maria came with us. We ended up taking the dinghy to the soggy dollar, and walking to a beach. Sadly, on the beach a beautiful sailboat had washed ashore, likely due to the storm several weeks earlier (where we went to Point de Pitre to get away from it).
      We dropped Maria off, picked up the tools Brian had left with them and headed back to Lorena to quickly hoist the dinghy and anchor and make the 4pm draw bridge opening.
      Sails up and we waited for the wind to fill in as forecasted but it never happened so we motor sailed untill midnight and then dropped the sails and just motored. At least we had fairly calm seas and a beautiful moon.
      I laid down in the aft cabin from 9:30-11:30 and then was up untill 4:30am before heading aft to sleep again. The solitude during the night was actually really nice.      Read more

    • Cathy ManuelTravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)

      Sint Maarten

      March 23, 2024 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

      We left early in the morning and choose to tow the dinghy behind us. Luckily we did as we realized that the bridge only opens at 9:30 and not again untill 11:30, going into Simpson Bay. We just made it in time, in fact we only dropped the main as we rounded the red bouy to come into the channel. I haven’t been at a draw bridge since sailing the Bra D’or Lakes in Cape Brenton.
      It is shallow in the Bay and we anchored near Nicolas and Maria on Blue Magic. Shortly after we got settled they came by the boat to say Hi.
      Brian had made reservations at a restaurant called Tropicana (reviews look great), but Nicolas and Maria were having refrigeration problems and weren’t sure they would be able to come, as they had lots of food thawing and invited us over. They were heading to Island Water World and we weren’t far behind them, although we didn’t see them. We got new breakers, a radar reflector, replaced the watermaker filet er we had given to Mike, and got more varnishing supplies.
      We took it back to the boat and were about to head to get groceries when they came back to confirm they weren’t going to restaurant. We agreed to have a meal with them and Maria came in the boat so we could do groceries together (but first we had lunch), then a big grocery order. The fridges on Lorena are stuffed full!
      Once the groceries were put away, we went for another cruises around the Bay and Brian brought me to Goonies…. But it was loud, so we walked the docks and met Nestor and Yolanda (who were anchor next to us when we came in, and in Jolly Harbour). They invited us on their boat and we sat and chatted for an hour or so, eating some homemade hummus.
      Then back to Lorena to make a quick salad and head to Blue Magic. We had a delicious meal of pork roast, rice, peas and salad, with the ice cream we brought for dessert. After dinner we played Rummikub, and back to Lorena to sleep!      Read more

    • Cathy ManuelTravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)
      2

      Île Fourchue

      March 22, 2024 in Saint Barthélemy ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

      Up and caffeinated before hoisting anchor and heading over to Île Fourchue, it was only a 4mile trek but we wanted to get there early and explore. We didn’t hoist the dingy but towed it behind us.
      When we arrived, similar mooring balls, with just a loop on top. After discussing a few strategies we decided that I’d jump in with the rope and a fender and tie it to the mooring. The ropes were heavy and the current fast, so I had to swim strong to try and reach the boat which needed to turn before I got to it. Eventually we got Lorena attached to the mooring ball, under the watchful eye of others…. Brian somewhat annoyed that no one helped. A few hours later we watched another boat come in and lift the button hole right up through the mooring, easily looping their line through… we felt silly! Always an opportunity to learn.
      I ended up pushing myself to hard and actually struggled to stand, my legs like jelly, after securing to boat. I was really weak most of the day — maybe to much sun or exertion.
      I went for a swim/ float and then had a nap and also helped Brian with some boat chores like soldering the wire that detects the rudder position at the helm, Today was a list day for Brian and he spent time writing his to-do and to-buy lists.
      Later we went snorkeling, brought the dinghy to the area and saw lots of the underworld including a barracuda that was circling us and Brian was worried about the watch in my wrist.
      As the sun was going down we went ashore and Brian headed to do a pastel, and although my legs felt like jello, I hiked to the top of the island and was greeted by a beautiful sight.      Read more

    • Cathy ManuelTravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)

      Anse de Colombier

      March 21, 2024 in Saint Barthélemy ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

      Yesterday Jason and Marcie in the boat beside us (who were also the couple with us in customs) invited us over for sundowner tonight. We weren’t sure if we would be here today (as we had technically checked out), but we decided to stay another day. We invited them and Innisfree for sundowner, but Innisfree was leaving for Gustavio as they had issues with their water maker (Brian gave them a filter which worked) but they still went. So we had the other couple over. He is a physicians assistant (PA) and does telecare from the boat and she is a graphic designer. Nice to meet them!
      During the day I had work stuff as I was preparing for a Board Meeting. While we were having coffee a patrol boat came by and we assumed that we would be in trouble for anchoring, but they were just reminding folks of the 5mile/hr wake zone, stay no longer then 4 days and limit the noise. It is interesting to watch all the boat traffic coming into the Cove. Mainly tenders from super yachts coming in to set up for the owners/guests on the beach.
      We went ashore again and did some swimming and Brian did another pastel. I had forgotten to turn off the inverter, so I swam back to the boat to turn it off and returned to the beach at the same time Brian was finished. I absolutely love the pastel he did today. The colors and light are so vibrant and the water IS the color in the picture!
      This is my favorite spot so far on this Caribbean journey!      Read more

    • Cathy ManuelTravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)

      Gustavio

      March 20, 2024 in Saint Barthélemy ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

      Wow, just wow. The color of the water, the sound of the birds (doves), the landscape and beach are all so beautiful in this cove!
      We had to take the dinghy into Gustavia to check in. It was a 2.5mile ride, and nice to see some of the yachts— it is with good reason that one of the immigration questions is “do you hav a helicopter on board.” Initially we split up and Brian was to do customs and I to find the laundry mat. He got frustrated and the laundry was on the other side of the cay. We took the dingy over and got the laundry started, then went for a walk… first to Fort Oscar but got send away by police who are occupying the area, and then to fort Carl. My cardio is not as good living on a boat and I felt the hill climbs! Then we went back to customs and checked it…. Frustrated by the process along with another couple! We returned to laundry mat at put the clothes to dry and went to get some food. The sushi restaurant was closed but we found another place and had a Greek salad and a piece of tuna tartar for $40 euro 😵‍💫.
      We told Innisfree (Mike) that he could use the boat for his conference call and that we would be back by 2pm, so sadly we left without getting to explore much.
      Back to the boat am put away clean clothes and got ready to leave the boat so Mike could do his call. We went to shore and anchored the dinghy, had a swim and then Brian found a spot to do a pastel and I went for a hike to the top of the beautiful trail with birds and turtles, trees and large rocks with interesting formations.
      When we got back to the boat, Mike was gone but he had another call at 6:15… so we hustled to make food before his call. He ended up doing it from the bow of his boat (using Lorena’s Starlink).
      When they refer to paradise in the Caribbean ~ it is here!      Read more

    • Cathy ManuelTravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)

      St Barth

      March 19, 2024 in Saint Barthélemy ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

      Up early, coffee in metal mugs as we secured the dinghy and left Nevis to sail towards Saint Barth’s. It was a beautiful sail! I tried out my she-pee for the first time underway with great success. As we approached St Barth’s the boats got bigger and bigger. We decided to skip Gustivo as it looked rolly and we went directly to Anse de Colombie. What a beautiful spot! We decided to anchor even though there are moorings. Once settled we went for a swim and the water was incredibly clear. You could see the bottom even though it was 20 feet down. We went to the mooring closest to us and pondered taking it, but a Cat came in and scooped it up. Often we swim to see if the anchor is dug in and here you didn’t need google to see that we were set securely. It’s a magical spot!Read more

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