Fort Berkeley, English Harbour

Fort Berkeley was built in 1744 on a narrow strip of land at the entrance to English Harbour.

During times of siege a chain and wood boom was pulled across the entrance to block enemy ships from entering.

Merengue is the 4th boat from the left, anchored close in towards the beach. We had a beautiful view of the fireworks on News Years Eve which were launched from the fort.

Ruins of the bunkhouse and the view in toward Nelson's Dockyard.

The ammunitions bunker.

Another sunset behind the haze of volcano dust from Montserrat.

Green Island

December 26th, the day after Christmas. It's Boxing Day here in Antigua. Back in the States it's 50% off everything Christmas related. Songbird and Merengue head out of Falmouth Harbour for Green Island.

Here's Merengue (left) and Songbird (right).

Green Island is a small island on the east coast of Antigua. Located on the outer edge of Nonsuch Bay with a barrier reef to protect it, it's a beautiful spot to spend a few days. The snorkeling was great.

During a walk on the beach we discovered this large rock that was thrown up on shore by the big surf. This sea anemone was clinging to the rock, high and dry but still alive.
The anemone was an amazing bright red color.

The tentacles dropped down as soon as we moved it back to the water. We weren't sure if it would survive. No telling how long it was out of the water but we'll hope for the best.

One afternoon, Pat and Carol took us out on Songbird for a lazy sail around Nonsuch Bay. Well, it was lazy once I got that mainsail out. Protected by a barrier reef, Nonsuch Bay is more like a big lake with nice winds but no waves.

Our hosts, Pat & Carol. Songbird is a Hunter 410.

As we left Green Island we could see the island of Montserrat. The volcano has been very active lately. That's not all clouds above the peak. Notice the large plume of ash billowing out the top.

The dome of the volcano grew about 60 meters from Dec 30 - Jan 2. You can see the ash flow on the picture below and we're about 30 miles away!

You can follow the activity at www.montserratvolcanoobservatory.info.

Lucky for us, Antigua is upwind of all of this.

Heading to English Harbour for New Years and sailing past The Pillars of Hercules, beautiful rock formations that guard the entrance to English Harbour.

We thought English Harbour might be too crowded because of the festivities at Nelson's Dockyard but we found a beautiful spot to anchor off of Galleon Beach. We got all dressed up for dinner ashore but the rain started about 6:30 and didn't quit until almost 11:00. It was pouring too hard to leave the boat! The good news was that the sky cleared in time for the fireworks and we had a beautiful view from Merengue's cockpit.

We celebrated New Year's Day with lunch at Catherine's Cafe, a great French restaurant on the waterfront in English Harbour. We hope everyone has a wonderful 2010.

Sailing to Christmas

With the sea conditions improved, it was time to leave St. Lucia. Antigua was our destination for Christmas and we only had a week to get there.

Light winds gave us the opportunity to fly the seldom-used spinnaker. What a beautiful sight against the blue sea and sky!

It was great sailing along the coast of Dominica at 4 knots with just over 5 knots of wind. So peaceful, so calm, no pounding, no beating to windward.

Time to think, time to appreciate this life we live.

It was really hot in the mid-day sun with very little breeze. When the spinnaker was up it offered some shade to sit in. When the wind died completely, I did the island thing and pulled out an umbrella.

We moved quickly, sailing 5 of the next six days. The first day was from Rodney Bay, St. Lucia to St. Pierre, Martinique 47 N.M. Day 2 was from Martinique to Portsmouth, Dominica 54 N.M. There we were greeted by Alexis, our favorite tour guide/water taxi driver who stopped by to chat for awhile. We promised him we'd do some hiking our next time through. Day 3 was a short trip of 22 N.M. to Les Saintes. The weather report continued to look good so we couldn't resist stopping for a day to enjoy this favorite spot of ours. The next day was a 32 N.M. sail to Deshaies, Guadeloupe and finally, 44 N.M. to Falmouth Harbour, Antigua. We'd made it in time for Christmas!

Showers formed over Dominica shortly after we left. This was the view behind us....

... and this was the view of Les Saintes in front of us. Two completely different weather days just a few miles apart.

Hobie Cats on the beach in Bourg, Les Saintes.

The view of Montserrat blowing ash into the air as we sailed to Antigua. The volcano has been quite active lately.

Our friends Pat and Carol on S/V Songbird were in Falmouth Harbour when we arrived. We made plans to spend Christmas together.

We arrive at Songbird on Christmas Eve to see Santa with Christmas Carol.

Setting the table for Christmas Eve dinner.

Pat pops the cork on a bottle of champagne for us.

Carol & Wendy.

Jim lends a hand in the galley.
You can't have too much garlic!

Men in the galley. It's a beautiful thing!

Thanks to Pat & Carol for a beautiful evening.

Christmas Day and it was off to English Harbour where there is a social gathering each Christmas. Cruisers and islanders gather in Nelson's Dockyard to drink champagne, listen to music and visit with friends.

We head straight for the champagne!

Cheers!

It's not the champagne that makes me dance while I walk, it's the music. Well, maybe the champagne helps a little.

The party takes place right along the waterfront in front of the mega-yachts. The champagne sales benefit a local charity so I guess our indulging actually did a little good!

I wonder what it's like to have a boat that's big enough to hold an 8 foot Christmas Tree on the deck?

Who's that climbing the rigging?

Nelson's Dockyard is a beautiful, historic sight from the 1700's that has been restored. Once a British Navy shipyard with Admiral Nelson in command it now houses restaurants, shops, a bakery, laundry, hotel, sail loft, customs and immigration, a museum and more.

Jim plays soldier in the museum.

Admiral Nelson keeping a stern eye on things. Didn't know the admiral was into lipstick!

Dinner was in a beautifully restored copper and lumber store, now a restaurant and hotel.

The restaurant, just off of the courtyard.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!