Dad hired a pickup truck, so we drove around Anegada and checked out a couple beaches. Good snorkeling, nice beaches, pretty chill. Ben went to visit a doctor about his feet, which by the way, are disgusting. Activation of the gag reflux is a good way to describe it. Anyway, its a poison ivy rash, and Ben got a ton of pills to help. Hopefully he can stop leaking puss everywhere *gag!*
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKyw7Nye7Ko[/youtube]
Today kicked off with us dinghying over to the dock, refueling the dinghy, arranging a clinic appointment for Ben and the picking up a pick up truck to drive around Anegada. First stop was the clinic for Ben where he was examined and prescribed 4 separate medications to help relieve his condition and head off possible infection. The total cost of the visit and medication was $56 – a fraction of what it would cost in the US. Once Ben was sorted we drove off to an out of the way spot with a beach restaurant called “Flash of Beauty” at the east end of Loblolly Bay. We had lunch there (mainly cheeseburgers) and snorkeled. We then drove round to the west end of Loblolly Bay where we spent several hours just lazing about and occasionally swimming. Final stop was Cow Wreck Bay where we hunted down and found a geocache. We met some nice people there and had a good chat before heading off back to the boat. Evening meal was on land at the Anegada Reef ‘Hotel’ where three of us (Sam, Ben and I) had delicious lobster and the rest had ribs or fish. Great way to celebrate my birthday. 43 today.
The sail over to Anegada was quite exhilarating. As is usually the case, quite a few boats left around the same time and as we were all heading to the same waypoint at the entrance to the passage through the reef we were in something of a line. At Anegada there are a finite number of mooring balls at various distances from the restaurants / landings. So it was a race for those in the know. Gato Chateau showed her speed. We set off fourth and arrived first. I suspect two of the boats were navigating by chart and did not take into consideration current or leeway as they were heading about 5 degrees off course and had to make the distance at the end. My GPS was able to project true course so we were able to line up on the corrected heading. For most of the passage, wind speeds were in the predicted 15-20 knot range so we sailed around 8-9 knots. At one point during the passage we hit a minor squall which brought us 35 knot winds which propelled us at 14 knots for the duration. We also got very wet. Having picked up a decent mooring, Sam, Leah, John and I went for a walk along the beach while Helen prepared sandwiches and Ben continued to rest. The afternoon was a lazy one with reading and sleeping. I dinghied Sam over to the beach so he could see if his friends were there. They were only on a day trip and had already gone to a different part of the island. Evening meal was on the boat and it was curry. All went to bed fairly early.
Woke up in the morning covered in sand, don’t know how that happened. Also had a nice cut on my toe, don’t know how that happened either. So onwards on our trip to Anegada for a few nights. We got there and walked around, but for the most part pretty much did nothing. It was a relaxed day that day. Ate curry that night *another sensual moan*.
Just getting ready for our trip over to Anegada. We have forecasted winds of 14 to 19 knots so I know Gato Chateau will fly. The family are gradually waking up. Ben says he feels a little better. Let’s hope he is now past the worst. Sam appeared from his room covered in sand having apparently had a good time last night. He stayed on at the dance / live music and danced with a couple of girls for half an hour. Then he found some guys with lots of beer so he socialized with them until midnight. Not sure where the sand came into it all but he seems to have made some friends. At least one of them is off to Anegada too this morning so Sam’s looking forward to hooking up later.
