It’s quite a relief having some cloud cover and rainy spells, as we are confined to the boat out here at anchor. It is incredibly warm so we live in our swimming togs, which is just as well as we no longer have a working washing machine.
It is very tranquil on board, we are far away enough from the other boats not to hear them. There are 11 boats out here and we’ve seen human activity on about half of them. Not a lot going on as one would expect in lockdown. Rowan tried to ask one of the passing fishing boats if they had any fish to sell us, but they had nothing sadly.
We are so enjoying hearing normal life nearby, we wake up to endless cockerels crowing, dogs barking and the lovely regular ringing of the church bells. All very reassuring and comforting as we bob about. The wind picks up every now and then, it feels like we are back at sea the way PolePole roars around on her anchor chain. She is very light and wide, so it doesn’t take much of a breeze to get us moving. Thank God Rowan upgraded the spec on the anchor when we bought her, as it seems to hold brilliantly (lets hope I haven’t just jinxed that!).
It was a very slow day, we had a few chores and some much needed housework to get through, and after that I finished reading the Sunday papers. I’m just about to start my new book, Mukiwa set in Zimbabwe, which Rowan has recently really enjoyed.
Our friend Stella wondered if Rowan was going to sport a head band with his new locks…. looks like his glasses strap is doing the trick!
Our only social interaction today was with our Caribbean Martins, they are very chatty and rather like our red ropes for the Gennaker sail. Sadly Rowan took the sail down this afternoon, to keep it out of the sun. Do hope they come back.
Very chatty Caribbean Martins
In the evening I was communicating with our Norfolk friends Jacqueline and Iain, who are on a 63 foot gorgeous sleek sailing boat in the US Virgin Islands. Jaxs is in our book group and one of the high lights of this trip was that we would see each other (we were both rather reluctant sailors) – especially as they are the inspiration for Rowan deciding to do this whole sailing malarkey for his retirement! Sadly it is not to be, they are heading off tomorrow morning for Chesapeake Bay (Virginia USA), a long sail as they may not be able to stop off en route. She is so brave, skippering such a big boat especially as she suffers from seasickness! She has a permanent halo around her head that’s for sure.
Jax and Iain’s gorgeous boat Fatjax
Yet again another gorgeous sunset to end the day.
Discover more from sailingpolepole.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
