Antigua

April 17th

Returned to customs down the long and winding road in the sun. Customs turned up after a few minutes and checked out. Back to surging marina via all Caribbean bank and pub. Didn't visit fort as Dom is too idle (lies by the fat man). Visited church and then eaten by midges.  Everywhere closed as a holiday. Further Colonels special with apple slice pud. To bed.

April 18th

Dom ..what? Sailed away this morning at 6am beating all the way to Winward ..yipee. Listening to a sexy Scottish girl on the radio from yacht Olenesia - brightened up the dull morning down the back of Nevis for me I can tell you. Anyway enough of this idle banter - wind on the nose 20 to 25 knots with an increasing swell and wind under genoa and full main as we are on a mission. Passed close to Redonda - reminiscent of Ailsa Craig - the old bugger down the stairs snoring for most the afternoon - best place for him as it's bouncy on deck. Hazy day so no sign  of Monseratt or Antigua - until night were the loom of St. Johns' can be seen. Only yacht at sea today even cheesy Dave had no check-ins. Sailing at night in the Caribean is always hazardous - as there are loads of reefs particularly around Antigua and all unlit of course just like the headland that said navigated. Ol' boy so relieved on arrival headed straight to the rum in frightful style. 

And so another chapter of our story comes to an end with a shocker of a sail soon - we will be three and then four ...fit kids to blow up the dinghy....yipee.

April 19th

Up at 0800am. Dom ashore for customs, laundry and hire car. Changed jib to genoa, cleaned and deposited Dom's rags in aft cabin as today Mike arrives. In hired car to English harbour where sail maker said main not even good for dishcloths and needs junked !! Quotes requested from Owen and Banks for urgent delivery. Recovered Mike from customs who were about to impound him and then zipped to Jolly harbour. There the solid drinking began. At 8pm to Rhiannon and Colin who is trying to snitch Sam. Drank him out of house and home. Dom and Mike crewing on Oyster race to English Harbour. Then further drinking in Doghouse and Dom and Mike on the pool and then further drinking.

April 20th

Welcoming Mike to the Carib by getting him rippingly drunk this morning - everyone's heads are a little fuzzy so I cooked a fry up in an effort to save us. Afternoon spent racing dinghy's in Jolly beach - all proving useless and myself and Malcolm ahead - a particularly good race with screams and protests at the winward mark - jammily Malcolm won. Dinner on board then Mike and I ashore for beers.

April 20th

Day of Oyster race to English Harbour. Dom and Mike to Rhiannon. Me? To refitting windows. After race, Dom and Mike out drinking all night. They returned 2pm via St. Johns - gubbed I think is the term. Revived by fish from Mandy and later by rum. In company with John and Francis of Barbary Duck. Then home - mightily drunk and crashed dink resulting in huge hole aft. Much gloom.

April 21st

Awoke feeling rough. Fuelled and watered alongside then to sea towards English Harbour. Woose Dom lost will and to bed closely followed by Mike. Your hero correspondent Malcolm set upself steering etc., and ploughed on. Eventually reached English harbour about 1600. Berthed in inner harbour after attempts in outer. Steak tea and early bed. Slept well tho rained during night. 

April 22nd

Took dink to repair who says US$300 and will repair. Then serviced engine and much maintenance  Then Dom in evening became frisky/bish bash boshy and drunk (well a little inebriated) lost Mike ashore 'cause he is a Shandy drinker and can't remember, basically he is a lightweight. Came back to boat on my dog and bone -  met Jenster and Maxy Baby all a little wing-wang. Mike arrived in the morning  after his pint and with a heavy head.

April 23rd

Dreadful day. Engine trashed on dink and sent to engine repairer's but outlook's poor. Dom and Mike lack the will so only managed to watch measurer all day. He absorbed $130 in 2 hours. Probably spins Dyce for handicap. Dom has given up drink as he is now really an alcoholic and keeps ending up swimming - he fell off superdock last night. He thinks his health is at risk which it undoubtably is. Will he get DTs no doubt. Brother has mainsail - all 80Kg  of it and will try and bring it.