Rodney Bay

Hi Everyone,
Well on the Friday 25th Feb I went for a little trial sail with Barry, the wind had become a lot stronger the last couple of days and was predicted to be the same till middle of next week. We had a good sail but did lose the Starboard running backstay in an impromptu gibe, oops, but I was happy to do the trip to St Lucia 'as is'.



Pic 1 back to the water Jolly Harbour






















Pic 2 alongside the working dock Jolly Harbour









Pic 3 Sunset over Montserrat



So Saturday 26th Feb I set off waving ta ra to Barry who had driven round to the point to watch me leave, the wheather was still strong winds but sunny, took the sunset pic as night came some 20 odd Nm from Antigua.
That night was really rough, over 28knts of wind, I hadn't had the bottle to put the main up and it was just as well, I was doing over 7.5knts on just my 2 jibs. I shot passed Guadalupe during the night, and morning found me 3/4 of the way across to Dominica. Sunday I passed and then across the next gap to Martinique, I got into relative shelter about 22:30hrs, I then knew I was going far too fast and at this rate would arrive in St Lucia at 03 or o4oohrs Monday. As I was a bit Knackered by all this wind and waves (over 35knts of wind during the night) I decided to heave too and get some sleep, there was no one else sailing only the odd idiot the same as me, so felt quite safe and had a good 3 hours crashed out.
Arrived in Rodney Bay at 14:15hrs, Duncan met me coming up the channel, and after a brief stop at the fuel quay I tied up to a mooring in the Lagoon for the night, and on Thursday morning 07:30Hrs Duncan and myself went to the dock, pulled out the mast and was lifted out.




Pic 4 Mast out and boat ready to be put ashore


















Pic 5 Lifting out at Rodney Bay, Ricky the yard foreman watching.


Pic 6 In the Shed with stripped down mast.



So Edwin (shipyard manerger) very kindly let me go in the big shed out of the sun and any rain we might get, a magic result. And here I am with a hell of a lot of work to do, but its warm and dry!


As a note to Alex Houston, well I can not see myself getting to NZ. funds are running low, great if I had a sponser, as would love to carry on, I have made a lot of friends who will be going that way this, last, and next year.
note to Mike, I stll have good memories from our Sunday furckles in Turkey, I am still in touch with the bar staff of the Irish Pub there.
as to the rest, more as it happens.
Roy

3 days to prepare and get out of Dodge!

So folks, Joke day came!

I had to see the management at Jolly Harbour on Thursday 24th, to finalise my bill, and to find out what if any, form of compensation I would receive from Jolly Harbour, for the purgatory and expense I had been through whilst in their Yard.
$390.00 approx! they halfed my current bill! a long way from the UK £4,500.00 approx. it had cost me to go home and replace all the items and documents that were stolen.
A joke indeed.

March 01

Hi all,
Well there has been a few developments since the last post and I will now let you know the results.

GL was launched on Monday morning as planned, all went well and I tied up alongside the fuel dock. I had given her a good new antifouling paint job before the launch, this I might add is the only work I have been able to do whilst being in Jolly Harbour shipyard for Six Months. This mainly because of the time, money, and hassle, of dealing with the robberies. Monday night I decided to have a proper celibration drink, so I went to the Dogwatch Pup, and, meeting up with Bruce, who I had met before, a fellow wooden yacht owner, I did my bit for going in, and he did his bit for just coming out. Needless to say but, I (and Bruce) didn't feel very well all day Tuesday. 23rd Feb. Wednesday morning however, was to see the last surprise in the 'SAGA' from the treatment I have received from the Marina Management and Owner here at Jolly Harbour shipyard Antigua, after, having my boat broken into twice! whilst being under their 24hr manned shipyard security protection.

I was informed that now back in the water, Guiding Light and myself were no longer welcome at the shipyard or the Marina at Jolly Harbour !!!!

The reason I was given for this was the way in which I had celibrated on going in the water on Monday! in I might add, an indipendent esablishment.

I have a sneaky feeling however that they didn't want me telling or spreading my story to anyone coming into the yard! especialy owners like Bruce who are regular users.
I was given till Saturday 26th Feb. to leave!
Cont.
Roy