The Picton Castle sailed in and anchored under sail at Jost Van Dyke, in the British Virgin Islands, after a short two-day passage. We had been in the Saints just south of Guadeloupe. And a small rendezvous with Carriacou Sloop Genesis off Nevis. Jost (as we call it, pronounced Yost, although lately we are hearing […]
Interlude at Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands Read More »
Still pushing. Rainy and squally. Not bad though. In the old days of my youth with all this rain we would be out in it with a bar of soap getting squeaky clean. But we have freshwater showers now so why bother… Trainee Sue is getting her ratline seizing done. Sue is a strong sailor.
Wind petered out this morning and was light all night. At 1000 Engineer Deyan fired up the main engine and we are pushing. Weather is perfectly nice, just light winds. Crew are sanding and painting the chart house. Dirk is making a plank for ANN, the 16′ Palmerston Atoll cutter we are restoring. Lists are
With the Saintes and Nevis well astern we kept sailing for the British Virgin Islands and Jost Van Dyke. At dawn, the day came in cloudy and warm. Wind was fair on the starboard quarter, seas modest. On the misty horizon ahead we could see the tips of the many Virgin Islands, so named by
Landfall – British Virgin Islands – May 11, 2019 Read More »
Two days after sailing due north from St George’s, Grenada, the small group of islands known as “the Saints” lay on the horizon ahead. The Picton Castle had sailed past Bequia, St Vincent, St Lucia, Martinique and Dominica to make for the charming Saints. A decent passage it was. In the lee of the bigger
The Picton Castle gang sailed the ship off the hook from Terre de Haute, Les Iles Des Saintes, Guadeloupe and got all canvas on in the channel between Guadeloupe and Terre de Haute. A sweet sunny Caribbean day. We made our way NW along the lee drawing away from this big island for awhile and
After 29 days at sea from St Helena and a sweet few days in the nearby sister island of Carriacou, the Picton Castle sailed the 32 nautical miles to St George’s, Grenada. We sailed off the hook and the crew had a lesson in sailing among the islands close to land. Very different from deep-sea
Let the island hopping begin! We sailed into and up the anchor off Hillsborough, Carriacou four days ago after 3,700 miles and 29 days at sea sailing from St Helena and went straight into Island mode again. Carriacou is a lovely quiet place rich in history and a good friend to the Picton Castle. While
A good day at sea today. We had a discussion on the nature of Grenada and the islands last night. Tonight we will see the amazing film by Alexis Andrews about wooden boat building in Carriacou. The building of 40 and 50 sloops for fishing, trading (and smuggling at one time) and also schooners. I
Very broad squall this morning at dawn ushering in an overcast day. Clothes set to soak for a big washing later. Soon a talk on the islands and what is to come. Planks getting cut for ANN, the boat we’re restoring aboard. New life ring holders getting welded on. Small jobs everywhere. Liz is in
