Whitecaps on my Coffee!!
February 2, 2009 Groundhog Day!
Gravenor Bay, Barbuda
Good morning!
Even though the forcast calls for winds to decrease, we awoke this AM with winds ranging from 16-22K from the East. It was difficult trying to drink coffee in the cockpit due to the whitecaps on the surface of the coffee!!!! But....alas....this cruising life is tough.
We had just a wonderful sail from Antigua to Barbuda on Saturday, 1/31/2009.....averaging over 6K...but I was seeing 7K consistent and the top speed of 8.2! That's amazing for Bees Knees....but it was a beam reach (which she loves)...and winds were 16-20K from the ESE. It was only 30 miles....but we made it in record time!
We anchored off of Coco Beach Resort for the first few days.....blue blue water and white sandy beaches.
Not quite as blue as the Exumas....but as close as we've found yet! The resort is private and has security posted to remind you of that....but we're free to roam about the beach....near the waterline! The guidebook states "they really don't want to see you during the winter months"! So....we walked up and down the beach...but no one asked for our autographs!!! I kayaked quite a bit, trying to find fish over the reefs, but saw very few.
We moved into Gravenor Bay
....the South end of Barbuda.....strewn with reefs (which are really pretty easy to see in this clear blue water)....and anchored, once again all alone....between the reefs. There's a huge reef that protects the anchorages with big white waves slamming into them and spraying. We tried to get pictures, but it really doesn't do it justice.
Yesterday we did a little boat maintenance...engine....changing the fuel filters on the generator and main engine. In the meantime Jim was making fresh bread......a little "diesel" bread!!!! A few days ago we tried to make water and found the 20micron filter clogged (reverse osmosis system on board...AquaMarine)....and as we tried to change the filter.....we couldn't unscrew it. So......after disassembling the filter from the wall....we were able to unscrew it...with the help of several tools (and didn't break anything!!!)....and then continued on the process of making water. Our watermaker makes 24 gallons per hour....so we run it every third day or so and it's plenty of water for our needs.....long hot showers, dishes, and great drinking water! But...it just goes to show you that it's not all fun and games out here!
We're going to move to another anchorage this AM....still on Barbuda, but North to Palmetto Point. They have an "11 mile beach" that is about 4 miles that we've measured! So...we'll stay there for a few days if it's not rolly....then come back to the South.
We haven't had internet since we've left Jolly Harbour, Antigua. So....I'll fix those other postings when we get back to Antigua...and post this message then.
If there's nothing further....this is Bees Knees signing off!
Gravenor Bay, Barbuda
Good morning!
Even though the forcast calls for winds to decrease, we awoke this AM with winds ranging from 16-22K from the East. It was difficult trying to drink coffee in the cockpit due to the whitecaps on the surface of the coffee!!!! But....alas....this cruising life is tough.
We had just a wonderful sail from Antigua to Barbuda on Saturday, 1/31/2009.....averaging over 6K...but I was seeing 7K consistent and the top speed of 8.2! That's amazing for Bees Knees....but it was a beam reach (which she loves)...and winds were 16-20K from the ESE. It was only 30 miles....but we made it in record time!
We anchored off of Coco Beach Resort for the first few days.....blue blue water and white sandy beaches.
Not quite as blue as the Exumas....but as close as we've found yet! The resort is private and has security posted to remind you of that....but we're free to roam about the beach....near the waterline! The guidebook states "they really don't want to see you during the winter months"! So....we walked up and down the beach...but no one asked for our autographs!!! I kayaked quite a bit, trying to find fish over the reefs, but saw very few.
We moved into Gravenor Bay
....the South end of Barbuda.....strewn with reefs (which are really pretty easy to see in this clear blue water)....and anchored, once again all alone....between the reefs. There's a huge reef that protects the anchorages with big white waves slamming into them and spraying. We tried to get pictures, but it really doesn't do it justice. Yesterday we did a little boat maintenance...engine....changing the fuel filters on the generator and main engine. In the meantime Jim was making fresh bread......a little "diesel" bread!!!! A few days ago we tried to make water and found the 20micron filter clogged (reverse osmosis system on board...AquaMarine)....and as we tried to change the filter.....we couldn't unscrew it. So......after disassembling the filter from the wall....we were able to unscrew it...with the help of several tools (and didn't break anything!!!)....and then continued on the process of making water. Our watermaker makes 24 gallons per hour....so we run it every third day or so and it's plenty of water for our needs.....long hot showers, dishes, and great drinking water! But...it just goes to show you that it's not all fun and games out here!
We're going to move to another anchorage this AM....still on Barbuda, but North to Palmetto Point. They have an "11 mile beach" that is about 4 miles that we've measured! So...we'll stay there for a few days if it's not rolly....then come back to the South.
We haven't had internet since we've left Jolly Harbour, Antigua. So....I'll fix those other postings when we get back to Antigua...and post this message then.
If there's nothing further....this is Bees Knees signing off!
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