2002
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Antigua Sailing Week – Lay Day
May 1, 2002
Hello all from the hot humid and Happy Island of Antigua again. No, we arn’t complaining. Today is a day off from sailing in warm tropical waters, where you can can watch the bottom of the ocean slide by from 50 feet or so above. Yes, the water is that clear. I’ve been feeling bad telling of all the great sailing and fun that we are having here, so I finally get to make up and tell you how hard we have been working. And it feels like work too, especially when under the hot Caribbean sun.
There are a few chores to attend to like cleaning the winches, one of which was causing us some problems. These were so full of general gunk that the 4 of them took all afternoon to clean, grease and reassemble.
Jason went aloft to work on the masthead sheave that we use for our big kite. He’s up there over 80 feet in the air, yet still having to look up at the masts around him. Our kite that had gotten ripped yesterday will be ready for tomorrows 38 mile ocean race, the longest of the regatta.
English Harbour is the next bay to the east of us here in Falmouth Harbour, and an easy 10 minute walk. Within English Harbour is the prettiest piece of living history in the Caribbean today. Once the base for Admiral Horation Nelson’s fleet in the 18th century, it’s now a busy destination anchorage and is under the eye of the National Parks of Antigua/Barbuda. Most all of the original buildings still stand, and are now stores, restaurants, hotels and other establishments.
St. Johns, the capital and Antigua’s largest town is where a different cruise ship everyday docks and spews passengers into the town. It’s nice to be on the opposite side of the island. But we do have mesquitos that come out after sunset and start eating. I’ve been staying on the boat and have been essentially bite free!
Well off for a quick snorkling adventure to a hidden beach over the hill from our house, then back to the house to see if the water is working yet.
Remember that we have a $50,000 matching grant put up by a group of our supporters, which we can only receive if we raise an equal $50,000 by June. So if you want to see Ocean Planet in the race, now is the time to help out! Also appreciated are leads to corporate entities that could use the international exposure that we have to offer in the Around Alone. Saturday we will be having an open house on Ocean Planet for the folks who have been watching us to gain a closer look at this machine.
Mark Wiltz for Bruce Schwab, Ocean Planet and the crew that have helped sail her this week.