It was an incredibly calm and quiet night in Deep Bay and Falmouth Harbour is my next destination. There, I’ll anchor and clear into Antigua & Barbuda at the Customs & Immigration offices located in English Harbour.
But first I need to attend some conference calls. And do some computer work in the remote office. I wish I didn’t have to leave this wonderful anchorage, but the boat needs to be physically in the anchorage where one clears in. That means either Jolly Harbour or Falmouth/English Harbours.
Morning
The winds had picked up by the time I left Deep Bay and the first part of the sail was exhilarating. I was doing up to 8 knots with both sails reefed a bit. Around Jolly Harbour I needed to turn more into the wind and slowed down, despite almost 20 knots true wind.
Then, shortly before the turn at Cades Reef, I furled both sails and had to motor the rest of the way to Falmouth Harbour against the waves and directly into the wind. It wasn’t fast, but at least I stayed dry. Unlike the boat motoring and struggling next to me with spray coming back to the cockpit every couple of waves. There is something to be said for a longer and bigger boat.
Noon
The anchorage at Falmouth wasn’t full and I found a good spot quite far forward and tucked in. I dropped the anchor in a patch of sand and expect good holding should storms arise. After putting the boat to sleep, I cleaned up to go ashore. A shower, a shave, and a change of clothes later I dinghied in to the marina.
Afternoon
After the sail from Deep Bay to Falmouth it was time to clear in. After a short walk from Falmouth to English harbour I found myself in front of the Customs & Immigration offices door. I pulled myself together and entered the lion’s den, mentally prepared for the lengthy ordeal ahead. There were 2 computer terminals with people filling out the online information, but I didn’t need to do that as I’d done it the day before. I got a couple of forms to fill out and soon found myself being hustled from Customs, to Immigration, then back to Customs and finally to the Port Authority. 20 minutes and US$80 later I was surprised to find myself heading out the door! Normally, those 20 minutes are the cooling-down phase as one waits at the first desk to get the papers to fill out. And of course after the papers are filled out, one finds oneself at the back of the line again.
Volunteer Meeting
I had a bit of time to kill, so I sat down in the shade and waited for the 17:00 volunteer meeting for the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. That meeting consisted of signing in as a volunteer, getting a T-Shirt and being assigned to tasks. I had volunteered with Clare at the last minute, and it turns out that while they were full-up on the committee boat they were in need of “dinghy-wranglers” to maneuver the yachts about. Unlike nimble modern boats, those big and heavy full-keeled old-timers aren’t particularly maneuverable at low speeds so the dinghies are needed to get them from and to the dock. Someone used the term “portable bow-thrusters”, which I think is apt.
Dinner
I walked back to Falmouth after the meeting and decided to drop by Club Sushi to say “hi” and ended up having dinner there before returning to Zanshin.
In the dark. I’ve lost my nice flashlight somewhere. It was in the side pocked of my backpack when I left.