A Pelikin Breeze Blows

Simpson Bay Lagoon anchorage

Here we sit, primed and ready at the start line for our next Caribbean leg; just waiting for the weather gods to get it together again. They’re playing up, as usual!  Who would also have thought that almost 4 weeks has vanished since we arrived here in Simpson Bay Lagoon!  Ahh, Hotel California - just served Island style.

The Cap’n has busied himself with plenty of boat chores, frequented chandleries all across the island, hunted down second-hand bargains and found willing technicians to fix WJ3’s more taxing problems.  We’ve found book exchanges, French patisseries, giant hardware stores and eaten our fill of curries at Lal’s.  We’ve also become avid listeners of the morning cruisers net on VHF Channel 10 run by long timers, Shrimpies.  

Cap'n thoroughly enjoying a fabric shop stopover with GS

Much has changed on the Lagoon since our last visit.  There’s a new bridge crossing it now (lit up in Mardi Gras style at night) and our anchorage is somewhat hemmed in, sitting as it does at the foot of tall island peaks, the end of the runway, and just off the casino strip.  That translates to serious jet engine noise, loud music pumping into the early hours and katabatics & gusts blowing us hardy cruisers round like we’re mere toys in a kiddie’s bath tub…  

One of the best things, apart from being lazy, has been finding cafes or bars for free wifi (and happy hour priced drinks).  We are still unravelling the mysteries of having internet access on board - no doubt easier but certainly not so much fun!  Every island seems to have its own suppliers, frequencies and/or towers.  Not all work out here in the lagoon.  We're told it has something to do with superyachts interference.  Hmm...  How simple it was in the Med, when we thought that having to get a new Vodaphone chip in each country was such a cross to bear!  Who would have thought it all so difficult in this age of social media obsession.  

This patisserie comes with a protection racket. 
One of three iguanas who ganged up on us for a treat.

Our reverie has been disturbed once or twice since being here.  The first was news of a sailboat break in – electronics and goods stolen and the boat trashed during the owner’s absence ashore; and the other was the sight of a large catamaran dragging anchor, thankfully missing us, (and the rather low-key response to requests for assistance). 

Anyway, we’ve refuelled, re-watered, re-provisioned and the laundry’s done!  So, we must be ready to lever the anchor out of the mud and point our nose down island.  Next stop, Nevis and then on to Guadeloupe.  Here we hope to find our guest, Lozza, waiting to join the Motley Crew.

And found time for tea with the neighbours (on an 80 foot schooner)