Disaster Strikes

Hi everyone,
I have some terrible news to impart about my future events here.
On the lead up to Xmas, Wednesday 22, I decided to go ashore for a drink, I have been very quiet of a night since returning, as after the theft of my last new computer, and having my present new computer all set up and working again, I felt a bit vulnerable and nervous about that. Every time I left the boat I have been locking it up the same way as it has been since I went to UK on the 16th August, (the boat when I returned on 10 Dec. was as I left it, nothing had been disturbed) As I left the boat yard at 18:45hrs I informed the security I was going but wouldn't be all that late. I have also been telling the security team every time Ive left the boat alone.
So off to the 'Boardwalk Bar' a couple of beers there then off to the 'Dog Watch' also in the marina complex. They have a Line Dancing class here every Wednesday, they play good ole rock n roll and blues, its good music which I enjoy as much as any other. It was a good night, as last before Xmas, but I still left early about 22:15hrs. A short walk and I was back at the boatyard at 22:30hrs, the security man wasn't in his hut but the pedestrian entrance was open, so I went to the boat, unlocked the hatch and went down below.....MY COMPUTER HAD GONE....!!!
Of course I found the guard and informed him but what happened there is too long a story to tell here. It was left to me to phone the Police which I did at approx 11:40hrs. I went to bed after all that my mind in a whirl.
Now the desparate bit. The Police came early as promised 07:30hrs, and began their investigation, during this they asked how I transported the laptop from place to place, I replied here with this Back Pack......The back pack was gone as well,,,,, I hadn't noticed..... I had bought it specially so as not to be obviously carrying a computer type bag around with me.

In this bag was all my documents, my Passport, GL official registration certificate, International helmsman's cert, UK merchant seamans book and immunization log, all my customs clearance papers, everything needed was there......and even if I get a new computer here.. my backup external hard drive with all programs, software, email addresses and everything I need to get a computer to work again aboard GL was in that BAG!!!

So everyone I am in a quandary as what I do next, it is going to take some time too sort this out, some of it never I fear.
As I expect maybe some of you who read this will be as horrified as myself and wish to contact me, I will take a chance and show my Mobile number in my profile, I am in the process of getting a caribbean phone number which is the one I wish everyone to use, my UK phone number will be far too expensive. So please email or txt to the Caribbean number.
Will post when I can if any developments
Roy

Antigua 2

Hi All,
Well I've had a few days on the boat now, this has given me time to see how she fared whist alone in the hot sun for a few months. Before I left I connected all 4 batteries together and through a controller connected my 3 solar chargers, I also left my anchor light up the masthead turned on, it was nice to see it shining on the first night in the yacht club bar while having a beer with Kate and Barry. When I got on board the batteries were all charged up ready to go. The rest of the boat outside was in good condition, just as I'd left it, woodwork is a bit sun bleached and will need a scrub and oiling but apart from that she is in good condition and is still being praised by passersby
Inside though was a different story, the hot and humid conditions, and lots and lots of rain, had allowed a lot of mold to take hold, and right now I am in cleaning mode, everything has to be washed and cleaned.
Personally I found I had lost my immunity to mossey bites! and have spent a few uncomfortable days getting covered in itchy bites, but that has calmed down now and I am not getting bitten that often.
The good news is all my communications are now working again. I invested in a WiFi booster and that is allowing me good internet connection, also I invested in a different type USB adapter for my Satellite and can report a success there too. I have full access again, and with the replaced laptop can type messages at last.
I've had my first journey on the water already, when I gave 'Len' a hand taking his boat to English Harbour on Monday, I met Len in the bar on Friday night.
Will let everyone know how I get on with the cleaning.
Roy

Antigua 1

From this-------- a pic of Thomas in the recent cold snap UK (photo by Katey and Josh)

                                                                                               To This........ pic is view from yacht club bar, Jolly harbour.

It was very nice stepping off the plane at 3pm into glorious sunshine again. 

Very kindly Barry was there to meet me, and with Kate, offered to put me up for the first night, I excepted, and after a quick walk round the boat for a 'look see' I spent a very pleasant afternoon and evening with them.

Roy

Return to GL in Antigua

Hello at last to all followers friends and everyone who viewed the Blog.
As you know I had to store GL in the boatyard at Jolly Harbour due to pressing cash issues, this has been temporary fixed, still looking for work though. I am hoping this time as 'plan A' to gradually 'furkle' my way back to UK over the next few months. If nothing else, traveling by boat has shown that not everything can be planned for, so all can change as time and the journey progresses. I am of course looking forward to every new adventure and will be posting to the blog with pictures and text whenever I can.
Whilst at home it didnt feel quite right to post messages here, I felt in a bit of a limbo, I couldnt contact friends by phone, having lost all contacts when my phone was stolen just before I returned, I now have a cloned sim card, with this I hope the local simm, on GL, will have most of them, in the meantime my phone number is the same, please text me with your email address as well, dont forget your name and short reminder where we met (I am getting lots of senior moments having met so many new friends, and being '''That age now'''). I dont think I should post my number here for obvious reasons. Also I will attempt to contact as many of you as I can via e-mail, this could take some time, so please bear with me on this.
So I return on Friday 10 December arriving on Saturday 11 at approx 1500hs local time.
Be Well, have a Great Xmas, and Watch this space for the continuing Saga

Roy