winny’s blog

We had 4 very good days racing. Not that we had any prize at all but the sailing was very nice.

The sails looked good, the crew was almost professional and the wind was not too bad although we could have had more.
So far for the classics. Tim Wright made some very good pictures of us.

Now we are going with another sailingboot to practice for the sailingweek that is the next week. I will not be there of course but sailing on a modern, faster yacht is nice as well.

We are staying at a very old, nice hotel in the middel of the most historic harbour of Antigua, the Copper and Lumber Store Hotel in Nelson’s Dockyard.

What do you know. Miracles do happen. Finally, at the very last moment, the hardware for the sailes arrived. That means that we are going to sail and join the races.

Today we are sailing to Falmouth and Friday the 1st of 4 racing days begins. Paul is in winning mode so who knows. Keep an I on www.antiguaclassics.com.
It means that I will be offline for a longer period. Maybe until the 29th, when I fly home again.

I told you about Hermitage, the lunch?
Well, here is prove of it.

Paul asked other people as well to come with us and it was a lovely day. Hermitage is nearby actually, around the corner when you sail. When you go by car the road is so bad taxidrivers won’t go there by night.

It is a hotel, but the rooms look like seperate houses, build against the hill. Some even have there own little swimmingpool. And the restaurant itself looks gorgeous too, with a nice pool next to it.

And then there is te view…. need I say more? Oh, and yes, the food is good too.

Pauls boat, de Grote Meid, was on land for maintanance. Especially because after a year just lying in the water and not moving at all there was a big reef growing under the hull. If you want to go racing that will bring you no further then the start. So that had to be cleaned.

The other day de Grote Meid went into the water again. You will not believe how big it seems on land. Here, on this picture, it is beeing moved with the travelift. And it does not seem to fit in to that narrow space you see there. Well, there was only 5 (five) centimeters left on either side of the boat once in the water. Incredible.
Now it is in the water again, the motor is working perfectly (I know becouse we sailed with it on monday, a lovely boattrip with perfect lunch at Hermitage). But now there is a big problem with the new sails that just arrived yesterday. So it seems that there will not be any sailing anyhow. Which is a big shame. We all are sad about that.

And so, after 4 days, I had my last 2 dives on Thursday.

Studying was harder then expected but rewarding. I passed my tests on Wednesday and did my two last dives on Thursday.

Those dives were amazing. Like in an aquarium as I am telling everybody here who wants to listen and also to who does not (wants to listen that is).

Look at these pictures. The first one, above, is me. Yes, really, that’s me. OK, I know it could be anybody but believe me, its me!

You will not believe what we actually saw down under (there’s a lot of Aussies over here now for the cricket). Look…

I decided to get my PADI licence while I’m here. The water is even warmer than last time and I do like diving very much. This licence lasts a lifetime all over the world. I will be able to dive everywere.

The course is given by JollyDive, where I dived last time and from what I heard from experienced divers, they are very good.

This course includes theory as well. I was given the book yesterday and although we don’t start until Monday I found myself studying already. But hey, picture this: swimming pool, drinks at hand and a manual. Not too bad is it? I’m enjoying every minute of it.

Tuesday we were at the start of the world cricket games, that is, the Antiguan part of it. Never thought I was going to like this game.

But I must admit, it is a very nice though incomprehensible game. Most of the time nothing much happens and then suddenly everybody is cheering and standing up. The second day was better because I understood more of the game.

There actually was a second day needed because it was raining all afternoon on Tuesday so the game stoped and we waited until they declared it a day at 4 am. I was glad I brought a book, just in case. Because, watching the rain falling down is not very exciting. Not even if you are with friends and having a good time all together.

Talking about a book, you must read this. ‘The curious indicent of the dog in the night time’. Mark Haddon wrote this very touching book.

Flight went very well and I arrived just about schedule in Antigua. 20 minutes later I was through custums, had my luggage and stepped into the sun. Very hot sun…

Graham was there to pick me up. Nice seeing him again af course. And everybody else as well.
Had lunch with Jill yesterday at the beach. We had our swim in the turquoise sea and lay a bit in the sun. That’s life in Antigua.

I’m ready as I’ll ever be. Antigua here I come.

This afternoon Philene got the keys, learned how to go in and out of the garage with my convertible, where the fridge is and the washing machine. She definitely doesn’t need the microwave she told me.

For the association of owners we signed a contract. Also a good thing to have done before I left. And of course that had to be celebrated with champagne. We really earned it. Due to the endurence of all of us we succeeded.

And while we were at Fabrica, why not have a farewell dinner there as well.
So Theo managed to persuade Rick we needed to eat anyway and why not here…
The three of us had a very good time, as always. I’ll miss them.
Once at home I ordered a taxi for tomorrow 3.30 am. Even the taxidriver thought this is very early…

Antigua, here I come.

Since I’m writing this in my own personal awfully badly english I’m ever so glad to learn that I’m not the only one who makes a mistake once in a while.

What do you tink of this? (patience does it)