Although the Antigua Sailing Week is over for the competitors, there’s still a bit of post-racing work to be done. I had to clean up my committee boat; I should have ensured that this was done while we still had a full crew aboard and will have to remember to do so next year. I got a bit lazy and only moved the items across to the next committee boat before casting off the dock lines and motoring back to the Sunsail base in English Harbour; I did have a hope that someone would remove everything while I was underway, though.
I was joined at the fuel dock by a Sunsail employee and we soon had Dou Rêve III fueled and moored and I was off to get the second boat. My wishes were granted in that Hans had cleared up the second boat and I was soon underway again with the second delivery. The seas outside the harbour had picked up and despite having 2000 RPM on both engines I only made 1-2 knots headway out there, mainly because the swell was steep and short and each wave slammed into the front of the boat and almost stopped it. I’ll trade for a heavy monohull when going to weather any day! Unfortunately I had to do a bit of work with overflowing holding tank/head on the way; but that’s why we get paid the big bucks as ASW volunteers. I maintain that I’m worth every penny I’m paid.
I didn’t know it, but Kathy had ordered an impressively tasty lunch for those volunteers who remained so I was well fed and I returned to the boat to try out my new slow-cooker. The after-regatta volunteer party started at 18:0 and a good number of us turned out for that event to help in getting rid of the last supplies of booze and for some excellent dinner, thanks to Club Sushi.
I didn’t stay particularly long, as I was not only a bit tired but also a bit worried about leaving the slow cooker all alone. The cooker was working well and the cabin was filled with the heavy aroma of my chili – I think I shouldn’t have used the full scotch bonnet pepper, though.