Flew out on BA from Gatwick, leaving behind the last of the cold weather, news reports still talking of snow. Flight delayed so arrived in St Johns, Antigua as the sun set. $31 for a taxi ride to Nelson's Quay, on the South coast, where we met up with Mark, Emma and the boat, Cafe Seerose. She was moored against the old quay, part of an up market marina complex restored in the 1950s-1970s, over 150 years after Nelson was stationed here.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Cafe Seerose at Nelson's Quay"]
[/caption]We walked a short distance to a supermarket near Antigua Yacht Club to stock up for our trip. I'd never seen boats as large and luxurious. Each yacht waited, in perfect order, for its next charter, piles of crew shoes on the pontoon nearby.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Mirabella V, the largest single masted yacht in the world"]
[/caption]Still tired, and nowhere near used to the heat, we decided to go for a sail. We left the dock and headed out Westwards, ominous smoke billowing upwards from Monserrat. We didn't know it at the time, but a recent eruption, combined with drought in the Caribbean had ensured that fresh fruit and veg would be in poor supply.
Mark explained the 0.5-1kt current that flows from South to North and the fairly consistent SE winds. A beam reach in a SE force 5 with swells, on top of the travelling and the heat made Louise feel a bit seasick. For me, it was great to be sailing in the Caribbean. An hour later and we headed back to Nelson's, stopping for a swim on the way. Water Temperature 27.8C
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Cooling off"]
[/caption]A longer trip the following day, Westwards along the South edge of Antigua for a couple of dives off Cades reef. Shallow, and not overly exciting, but nice to be diving in warm water.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Diving, Cades Reef, Antigua"]
[/caption]We caught a yellow tailed snapper on the way back, so anchored in Falmouth and lit a hasty barbeque. Excellent fish. We discussed an early start, and a sail Southwards in the morning, heading for Guadeloupe.
