The weather today was still not typical Caribbean sunshine – we had low clouds with overcast and occasional squalls coming through but I wanted to clear out of Antigua and head north so I sailed during what looked like a calm period but once I was outside of the sheltered Green Island waters the swell got the boat rolling heavily and rain squalls passed from behind so I got soaked a couple of times during the mere 7 miles to English Harbour. The outer English Harbour looked emptied out so I went in there for the first time to anchor. My first two attempts were in 12 feet of water and both failed miserably as I could feel the anchor dragging (my foot was on the chain) and as I lined up for a third attempt Mark, the skipper of Sanctuary, dinghied by and mentioned that the holding here was notoriously bad so I decided to go with what I knew and head to Falmouth for the night. I anchored out in the almost empty harbour – the end of race week signals the mass exodus of boats, and went ashore to clear out and also take some pictures of a boat named Paradise Flycatcher for an acquaintance. The yacht is on the hard at Slipways, which is a mere 100 yards across from English Harbour but the ferry service was no longer running so I managed to catch a ride from some sailors on a dinghy to get there, and then Mark serendipitously came by when I was looking for a way back so it all turned out good in the end.
I had dinner ashore, the selection of places was greatly diminished as many had closed for the season, including my normal hangout at the Loose Mongoose but I had an excellent meal next door and, sated, made it back to the boat.
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