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Archive for April, 2009

Heading Home Author: Bob and Donna Apr 30

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We arrived back in Sint  Maarten 10 days before we had planned.  As predicted the weather deteriorated around us. For once the weather man was right!   We were very glad to be back.    

For the next week the wind continued to blow steadily between 18 - 20 knots gusting to 25.  It was good to be at anchor in Simpson Bay even though, due to the high winds, we were boat bound for a few days and some nights were very Rocky Rolly.  We were just glad we weren’t out in the Atlantic trying to get back to Sint Maarten.

In fact the weather never did improve before we left and the last two days were not only windy but rainy too.  Luckily by that time we had  Bergy put to bed.. 

 

*Bergy Bit on a Calm Day in the Lagoon - Photo by Mirjam Z*

We discovered on our return to Sint Maarten that because of the upcoming Carnival holidays the boatyard would be closed for 10 days meaning if we kept with our original return date we would only have two days to put the boat to bed. It just was not enough time so we made the decision to haul out early, put Bergy to ‘bed’  and come home.  

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It’s was a wonderful year - maybe a little shorter than what we planned! !   

We are Thankful for the time we had and God Willing we will be back next year…

The Admiral & Gilligan

Heading for home

Category: Boat Storage  | Leave a Comment
Belle Creole Author: Bob and Donna Apr 28

Our early return to Sint Maarten allowed us to spend time with  friends before we hauled out.

Mirjam, Jan & Anna treated us to a  barbeque at a favourite spot of theirs on the ‘French Side’ called Belle Creole and although it was a windy day we managed a fairly dry dinghy ride to Belle Creole in Jan’s Boat.     

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We were treated to Barbeque Chicken, Barbeque Pork, Baguette and Fresh Vegetables.  And of course no cook-out would be complete without marshmallows. 

Next year though we will have to teach Anna how to make ‘Smores’………

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Like dinner aboard Katmar we highly recommend a Barbeque with Mirjam, Jan & Anna - if you can get an invitation! !

To Mirjam, Jan & Anna Thanks for the Memories !

It was a wonderful day!

The Admiral & Gilligan

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Nevis back to Sint Maarten Author: Bob and Donna Apr 23

Our last visit to Nevis was in 2005 and so this time we had decided we would stay a week and explore the island.

Our first day ashore we explored Charlestown, the main city.  Like Basse Terre, there was lots of local produce so we stocked up again on fresh vegetables as well as  a few other provisions and scouted out Internet access.  Our best access was the public library as the two local Internet Cafe’s were no longer in business.  There was WIFI, but it wasn’t available due to an electrical storm earlier in the week that had wiped out the Server.

After our morning in Charlestown we returned to the boat to enjoy an afternoon swim and a gorgeous  sunset.  We were looking forward to our week on Nevis…

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 Sunset Pinney’s Beach Nevis

The next day we headed back into Charlestown.  Bob headed off to find Boat Oil and I headed to the Library to donate 20 or so books we had and to use the Internet.

First order of business - Check the Wind Guru.  Conditions looked less than ideal.  Over the next week the wind would kick up to 18 - 20 first coming from the East then the North East.

I checked the e-mail and did a few posts to the Blog.  Once Bob caught up with me we noted the info from the Wind Guru - just in time as the Library Server went down.  Just one of the many frustrations in getting Internet access this year.

With the information from the Wind Guru - we knew we had to cut and run and so we did.

That afternoon we  headed back to St. Kitts and Ballast Bay.  We anchored overnight and the next morning at 4:00am we pulled up anchor and started our sail back to Sint Maarten 

Although not quite as good as the sail from St. Barth’s to St. Kitts this sail was a good one for this part of the Caribbean.  Another long day with 12 hours of sailing.

I managed to capture a few seconds of video of our return.  These too I have posted on You Tube.                                         

Sailing to Sint Maarten - Part 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCmceHQP11I

Sailing to Sint Maarten - Part 2  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmmqelhbeLI

We were back in Sint Maarten in plenty of time for the 5:30pm bridge and our return to Simpson Bay Lagoon.

Next Time

Putting Bergy to Bed.

The Admiral and Gilligan

SV Bergy Bit

Category: Sailing adventures  | Leave a Comment
Chasing the Maltese Falcon Author: Bob and Donna Apr 21

In 2007 while sailing in the BVI’s (British Virgin Islands) we first saw The Maltese Falcon as it was leaving Virgin Gorda. 

It was an amazing site and it wasn’ t until we returned home that we learned more about this amazing sailboat.

It is the world’s largest and most expensive sailboat and is owned by American  Tom Perkins.  Absolutely everything on this boat is computerized.

This year we saw the’ Falcon’ several times.  The first was as we were  landing in Sint Maarten - Bob spotted it anchored in Simpson Bay, we saw it twice in St. Barth’s and the last time was when we were anchored in White House Bay St Kitts.  It was sunset and on the the horizon we watched the ‘Falcon’ as it sailed to what we guessed were the USVI (US Virgin Islands).  sunsetting-on-the-maltese-falcon

The Maltese Falcon at Sunset - Simpson Bay Beach - Sint Maarten 

maltese-falcon-anse-de-colombier2The Maltese Falcon at Sunset sailing to Gustavia St. Barths. 

matese-falcon-st-barthsThe Maltese Falconon anchor in Gustavia St. Barth’s  

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The Maltese Falcon setting sail from St. Barth’s

 Even with the most modern systems you still have to know how to sail to win races…  pitted against other large sailboats in ‘ The St. Barths Bucket’  the ‘Falcon’ only placed 4th over all.

For those that are interested here is the link to The Maltese Falcon website  http://www.symaltesefalcon.com  as well as another link you might find interesting http://yachtpals.com/maltese-falcon-yacht-collision-3074

Next Time

Our brief stay in Nevis

The Admiral and Gilligan

SV Bergy Bit

 

  

Category: Miscellaneous  | Leave a Comment
Whitehouse Bay & Nevis Author: Bob and Donna Apr 19

After a wonderful visit to  Basse Terre we moved on to Whitehouse Bay, a favourite anchorage of ours on St. Kitts.  anchored-in-whitehouse-bay

Bergy Bit on anchor in Whitehouse Bay St. Kitts

I am always amazed by the country in this part of St. Kitts - it reminds me very much of the hills around Kamloops.  Does anyone agree?? 

We enjoyed our time in Whitehouse Bay and were disappointed to learn that this whole area has been purchased by an American company that has plans to turn this part of the Island into some thing like Myrtle Beach.  In one sense it will be good for tourism but in another will completely change the landscape of the island but it will mean eventually there will be a marina in White House Bay.

One day we went ashore  and walked over to Cockleshell Beach - a popular destination for day trips/charters.  It’s about a 6 mile walk (round trip) but thanks to some good Samaritans - a taxi driver who gave us a free ride part way there and an American family that gave us a ride most of the way back we only had to walk a total of about 3 miles - long enough in the hot sun.. 

From Whitehouse Bay we sailed to Nevis.  This sail was our worst sail this year  - luckily it’s only 10 miles.  Leaving Whitehouse Bay we attempted to sail off anchor - unfortunately The First Mate zigged when she should have zagged so we did have to use the ‘iron tiller’ to get us into the channel.  

In the channel the wind was 20 - 25 knots with seas 6 - 8 feet.  We sailed with only our main (which had one reef in it) and at times were heeled over 20 degrees.  We were Rocking and Rolling…..  Now we know how the competitors of the 2009 Heineken Regatta felt.  Not our favourite way to sail.

We arrived in Nevis to calmer conditions and picked up a mooring ball at Pinney’s Beach.   img_5216

A View of Pinney’s Beach from Bergy Bit

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Pinney’s Beach is a one of the most photographed beaches in the world,it’s  used often when you see pictures of Caribbean beaches.  In fact, a calendar we have at home called ‘Life’s a Beach’ features Pinney’s Beach on the front cover and in the month of July.  

Little did we know how brief our stay in Nevis was going to be.

Next time

A Quick Visit to Nevis

The Admiral & Gilligan

SV Bergy

Category: Beaches, Sailing MisAdventures  | Leave a Comment
An ‘Admirable Launch’ a not so ‘Admirable Landing’ Author: Bob and Donna Apr 18

Port Zante is set up similar to ports and marinas on the East Coast of the US.

The docks are only fingers  - just enough to step off a boat  - attached to a cement wall . The boat is secured by tying the bow to cleats on the cement wall and by tying two stern lines to pilings located several feet from the dock fingers.  A picture shows it best.port-zante

 Port Zante - St. Kitts

 In order to dock there are several things that must happen.  Your approach  must be dead on, you must first clear the pilings but be close enough to lasso at least one if not both as you pass them and you must judge your speed and distance so that you stop just short of the cement wall but close enough to the finger that the person with the dock line can get off the boat.  

Generally there are 2 to 3 people on the dock to guide you in and give you help as you are docking . On the afternoon we arrived in Port Zante there wasn’t a soul in site, so we were on our own…..

Let’s just say that The First Mates docking job was less a than ‘Admirable Landing’. 

None of the above happened.  I ‘wanged’ the cement wall as I hadn’t managed to judge the speed.   I was too far from the finger which meant Bob had to jump off the bow and hope he landed on either the wall or the finger and not in the water and at the same time he had to try and stop the boat!  

Once we got the boat stopped  The Admiral then had to row the dinghy out to the pilings and attach the stern lines.  All the while the wind is blowing the boat around.

I forgot to mention along with everything else, you have to be watch that you don’t crash into boats already at the dock (which we didn’t do).  It wouldn’t be the best way to get to know the neighbours.   

To our friendly neighbours aboard Justin’s Odyssey II -  Dr. Mike  and Beth Smith it was good to get to know you.  We will wave to you on June 13th as you head up Georgia Straight to Alaska….

On a scale of  1- 10 this docking job was a zero…. Mind you in boating terms a good docking job is  one you can walk away from and we did walk away from this one after a bit of angst….

All weekend we watched boats come and go.  I have to say it made me feel better when boats would come in with 4 to 6 people on board and with 3 guys on the dock and still have great trouble docking - sometimes even taking chunks out of  the pilings.  This type of docking is definitely a practised art…

On Easter Sunday when we left Port Zante we had to do everything in reverse - this too is much easier said than done.  We  talked about and rehearsed in our minds how we were going to execute our departure.

This time The Admiral was at the Helm and everything went according to plan.  We backed out, picked up both stern lines and cleared both pilings….  YEAH…  An ‘Admirable Launch’.

Next Time - Our Time in White House Bay.

The Admiral and Gilligan

Sv Bergy Bit

Category: Sailing MisAdventures  | Leave a Comment
Easter in St. Kitts Author: Bob and Donna Apr 16

 We arrived in St. Kitts just before the Easter weekend and having been in St. Kitts in 2005 we were prepared for the 4 day Easter Weekend closure.

Basse Terre was bustling as everyone prepared for the Easter weekend.  One thing we noticed was the number of people walking around with kites in their hands.  Kite flying seems to be a favourite past time in St. Kitts at Easter.

Good Friday,  Basse Terre was very quiet and we took a walk out of Basse Terre into the residential area. 

We saw people flying kites, children playing soccer in bare feet and watched a soccer game between a local team and a team of ‘tourists’ from a small British Cruise Ship.  We also walked by a neighbourhood ’curbside’ bar that was open and believe it or not was playing hymns….. 

On Easter Sunday I attended church at St. Georges Anglican Church in Basse Terre.  The church is located close to both the Catholic and Methodist Churches.  As the windows and doors of the church are  open you can often hear the music from the other churches.

st-georges-outside1St Georges Anglican Church - Easter Sunday 2009

The church was full (about 300 people) and was decorated in white and yellow, with huge tulle streamers of white and yellow stretched between the beams. st-georges-inside

St. Georges Anglican Churcn - St. Kitts - Easter Sunday 2009

Little girls in pretty dresses, little boys in suits, Ladies in Hats and Easter outfits - some floor length of African design, gentlemen in suits and ties, choirs were ‘robed’ and all the ushers (men) wore grey pants, white shirts, the same tie and navy blue jackets that had an emblem on the pocket and lapel pin.  It all added to the atmosphere of the day.
 
After church we headed over to WhiteHouse Bay.  A favourite spot of ours on St. Kitts.  It was a fairly calm day, so we used the iron tiller to go the 5 miles. 

We spent 5 wonderful days in White House Bay.

Next time we will tell you about our ‘Admirable’ launch but our not so ‘Admirable’ landing in Port Zante.

Until then.

The Admiral and Gilligan

Aboard SV Bergy Bit

Category: Miscellaneous  | Leave a Comment
Sailing to St. Kitts Author: Bob and Donna Apr 15

After a wonderful week in St. Barths we watched the weather and on a glorious sunny day headed for the island of St. Christopher commonly known as St. Kitts.

Our sail across to St. Kitts - albeit long (about 12 hours) - was some of the best sailing we have had in the Caribbean.  The wind was 10 - 15 knots and the seas were between 4 to 6 feet (flat calm in this part of the Caribbean). 

Having sailed in this part of the Caribbean before we knew what to expect and true to form, as we approached the North end of St. Kitts the wind and seas picked up.  The wind was close to 20 knots and the seas were over 6 feet.  These conditions were short lived and once we cleared the end of St. Kitts,  we lost the wind totally - also true to form- but not the swells.  

We pulled in the jib (for non sailors the front sail) and switched to the  iron tiller (for non sailors - the motor),  motoring with the main up until we picked up wind again part way down the island.   

Our destination was Port Zante in Basse Terre the capital of St. Kitts.   In the last 15 years this port has been wiped out and rebuilt 3 times due to hurricanes.  They have now constructed a man made break water to hopefully protect the Port from future Hurricanes.

They have also developed the port area to accomodate Cruise Ships.  The new Cruise Ship Terminal (still under construction) includes a shopping mall, restaurants, Customs and Port Authority.

Having Customs and the Port Authority at Port Zante was a bonus for us - as what used to be a $20.00US cab ride to Customs and the Port Authority was now a 5 minute walk.

Up until 2005 the main industry of St. Kitts was sugar.  In 2005 the sugar cane fields were harvested for the last time.  The new industry is tourism, with the new Cruise Ship Terminal and with plans to build more resorts. 

 We always love visiting St. Kitts because of the friendly people and the great local produce.   We enjoyed local tomatoes, cukes, bananas, oranges and pineapple during our stay.  All which were delicious………..

[I tried inserting a video of our sail into the blog but  it was too large   -  so instead I have posted the video on You Tube -    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYo_dWBGir0]

Next time.

Easter in St. Kitts.

The Admiral & Gilligan

Category: Sailing adventures  | Leave a Comment
A Post-It Note from St. Kitts and Nevis Author: Bob and Donna Apr 15

Hello and greetings from St. Kitts and Nevis.

We arrived here after a 12 hour sail from St. Barths.  Conditions were good for this part of the Caribbean - 4ft to 6ft seas - 10 to 15 knots winds.

We hope to spend a couple of weeks here before heading back to St. Maarten

Unfortunately Internet access this year has been very sporadic. 

When we have found internet café’s the connections have been  very slow or the servers have been down (a common occurrence)… and anywhere we have found Hot Spots for wireless (with the exception of Simpson Bay) we haven’t been able to connect….

Needless to say trying to add to the ‘Blog’ has been a bit of a challenge.

We are now in Nevis at an Internet Café and I have posted a few blogs - this one and a few prior to this one.

It’s great to be back in the Caribbean - more about our sailing adventures when we get back to Sint Maarten in a couple of weeks…..

First Mate Gilligan & The Admiral

Aboard SV Bergy Bit - St. Kitts and Nevis

Category: Post-It Notes  | 2 Comments
Happy Birthday Judy C…. Author: Bob and Donna Apr 07

To Our Friend Judy C

Wishing you a Very Happy ‘Milestone’ Birthday

 Enjoy being 30 Again and Again

 Sending you a Birthday Toast from aboard - SV Bergy Bit

Anse de Colombie

St. Barths.  F.W.I.

 

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