2nd half 2007 - time to leave BVI and head south

"Manx Mist" safely survives hurricane season, sitting on the yard in Spanishtown, BVI. I head back down in mid October.
A little bit of reassembly and a bottom paint job, and "Manx Mist" is floating again. I sail over to Roadtown and bid farewell to  a few folks, and then head out late afternoon for an overnight solo sail to St Maarten. Good weather again - light breeze and calm seas - and it's mainly motoring under a clear, starry sky. I drop anchor outside the Simpson Bay Bridge just after dawn and grab some sleep, before heading in to berth at Island Water World.
First crew on this trip is oldest daughter Louise, flying in from Toronto. A day later Hil joins us. Then the next day Louise's friend, Jo, flies in through some horrendous storms and rain. Her LIAT flight from Antigua gets sent back once, but she makes it in on the 2nd attempt. Welcome to St maarten - everything is flooded!

We head off for a sail across to St Barths. Weather is still unsettled and it's a lumpy passage but, once stomachs have settled, Louise and Jo enjoy Barths.
And the weather is improving. We head back to St Maarten, so Louise and Jo can catch a Halloween party somewhere.
They take a pass on the obvious pirate attire, and outfit themselves as scary  basketball players!
After the brief Halloween visit, we head back out through the early bridge opening and make the short hop to Anguilla.
It's our first visit there. Drop anchor in Road Bay. I'm impressed. It's a lovely anchorage - big, sheltered and excellent holding. And customs/immigration is a breeze - helpful and friendly. We hang out first on the local beach - Sandy Ground - well equipped with bars and restaurants. The next day we rent a car and tour the island, with the main destination being the lovely beach at Shoal Bay. Thats  a great day of chilling on the beach, enjoying the rum punches and making a few local acquaintances.

Time is moving on and we return to St Maarten and motor through the lagoon to berth in Port Royale, Marigot, surrounded by bars, restaurants, shops, and lots of local colour.
Jo's week introduction to sailing is up, and she has to head back to Toronto, followed a couple of days later by Louise heading back also to Toronto and her job with the Arts & Crafts record label.






Hil and I are by ourselves again, and have plans to keep sailing south.......