Antigua Classic 2

Hi Again everyone,
Update on the racing.
Well Saturday's race No 2 we crossed the line first again! this time we had done everything we could to leave the 'La Sirene' as far behind as we could, we were successfull and we did come first after corrected time! We were now even again, having both yachts with a first and a second place. So third race on Sunday and although not much wind to begin with we had enough to get going. Our start was good and we pulled away from our class, this course is called the cannon and you race out and back twice on a reach. We couldn't pull away far enough from La Sirene so we knew, although we would be first again, we would get second on corrected time. It was a magic day though, Kate had joined us for the race as well and we had a perfect sail, what a good day.
After the race all the yachts took part in the parade of sail into English Harbour, it is a fantastic spectical as the big and small yachts mix it inside the habour, the crowds and yachts cheering and showing off, a good end to make it a perfect day.
Now Mondays race, this was going to be hard, as predicted La Sirene had won Sunday's race on corrected time, which meant we now had 1 first place and they had 2 first places! we had to come first.
The wind was so light this was begining to look impossible, the race start was delayed a couple of times before we finally got our start at 10.45am. With such light wind we did as much as we could to escape from La Sirene, and were doing very well against them, as we passed the second mark first, which had been a battle to get too, the wind died completely, the whole fleet of 68 boats were becalmed, only 1 boat was still moving and that was the 'J class' 'Ranger'. After about half an hour of this, there then, over the radio, came the killer news,,,,, the commitee abandoned the race!!! what dissapointing news, we now had no chance of evening the score sheet and knew we had Second place overall!
The remaining part of the day was taken up moving the boat from Falmouth Marina to English harbour dock wall for the prize giving on Tuesday night.
So Prizegiving party went well and my crew and myself were on stage to recieve the second place prize, a beautiful engraved glass Tankard. A good result for another Antigua Classic race. When I concider this in quiet moments, I think taking part last year which was an impossible dream come true, and then being here again, well its just a fantastic achievement for a now 75 year old boat.
More later my friends.
Roy

Antigua Classic

Hi Again everyone,
Well the journey to Antigua was a bit of a battle, the forecast couldn't have been more wrong, but i made it, and arrived Wednesday morning at 0900hrs, after taking the sails down I went to the marina and moored up were I was last year. I did all the registration and customs a very busy day, Duncan who had also had a bad trip arrived in time to join in the welcome party on the AYC lawn.
So Thursday and the judging for Concourse de Elegance.....night time they gave the results and I can tell everyone I came second place this year!! there was no shame as the yacht that won I had already fallen in love with and it certainly deserved the first prize.
Now the racing starts, I have Barry, Duncan and another cuising man Don as crew, Kate will hopefully come on Sunday and Monday, Race 1 was on Friday, not much wind but a lovely day for a sail, we won our class but after corrected time found who our competition is, we had crossed the line 20 minutes before the next boat but he got first place by 6 minutes, So we have a challange on our hands. Todays race Saturday the wind had gone down even more and we had made sure our competition was a long way behind us, on the way to the second mark the commitee boat told everyone that the course was shortened and again we have come first but will have to wait and see the corrected time results to know if we have won.
There are partys galore and we are enjoying the event to the maximum.
More Later Guys and Gals
Roy

Antigua here I come

Hi again everyone,
Didnt make the Friday launch but went in on Saturday, there then started a very busy time getting the mast stepped and all the rigging sorted out, but as of Sunday 10/04/2011 1800hrs I finished and cleared from customs. I hope to be on my way this morning monday 11th, weather here is not too good, a lot of rain is forecast for the coming week ahead.
I wont be able to post any pics or text until arrival at Falmouth or English Harbour, and have internet connection again but will do my best to update.
Roy

Just about ready to rumble Pics & Text

Hi Everyone,
Have posted all the latest Pics of my progress with guiding Light, the 2 here are Duncan starting to remove the caulking from the foredeck, and a Pic of the beach front clubhouse of the St Lucia Yacht Club.

I have been made very welcome again here, and last Sunday was invited to race in an Optomist race for adults! 12 brave and fearless adults took part, and Max, the present sailing instructer organised us into 2 groups of six, we then did 3 races in each group, the top 3 of those took part in the Final, I can report after coming 3rd in the group races I went through to the Final, and, I came second! winning a bottle of RUM! lovely.
The previous post of pics are as follows:-
Pic 1 = assembling the finished mast. Pic 2 = mast detailing. Pic 3 = Halfway painting the Hull. Pic 4 = Nearly finished hull and detail of mast top. Pic 5 & 6 = Bow and stern of finished Hull.
Only the deck left to finish so could be in the water with mast back in by Friday this coming week! Then after a good cleanup off to Antigua to take part in the classic racing again! I am booked in, so more news pics and fun to be had again this year, the 24th event.
Roy

Just about ready to rumble Pics

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

Antigua Update

Hi everyone,
Well I arrived ok and was met by Barry a good friend here, I was invited to spend the night at his and Kates house which I did.
Next day found myself onboard again yipee, I got straight to work making sure all my comms would work, and download those drivers that were missing from those that didn't. i can report that except for the chart program for the laptop, everything is AOK again, so now to make plans on what to do and how I will proceed on the adventure.
I will have to organise myself as its been awhile since having to think 'boat'.

That was the first week here, I have now come to the conclusion that I will only feel safe and normal again by leaving Jolly Harbour, have looked at many options to do the TLC that is required, it means launching the boat going somewhere and pulling her out again though, a pain.
After searching around have been made an offer from IGY Rodney Bay which will suit me very well, it does mean going south instead of north, and all though i am behind schedule by 3 months I think I can make the time up.
The latest news is I will be launching tomorrow Monday 21 Feb at 2pm local time, have spent time on making sure everything is ok. Started with all through hull valves, one needed replacing and 3 were siezed solid, but as a mention the 5 orignal gate valves from 1936 were working ok and only required a bit of grease. The engine is ok as well, all charging circuits and batteries also ok, so ready for the in. Bending sails on today, will do a day sail maybe Tues. Wed. to make sure nothing else is wrong then choose the day to head for St Lucia
Will try and remember to take pics with the new camera tomorrow and post them before I leave.
More Later
Roy

Headless Chicken Day

Well Hi everyone,
As you all know I have been re-assembling my life identity back again in the UK, and have been due to return to Antigua tomorrow 10th Feb. All documents and items had been checked off, leaving only the cash amount to transfer to the bank for my budget. That was all 2 weeks ago, then things began to go wrong! BARCLAYCARD chose this opertune moment to refuse athenticating my card, after much bother they chose to send another, this came about 5 days later and was acknowledged by me on the phone. 2 days after that they blocked the card again!!??!!! so today with my flight tomorrow still no card!!! 2 1/2 hrs on the phone today still no card. Well I'm going without it, Its done my head in, and I have prob. forgot something important whilst trying to pack and sort this lot out at the same time.
I will be traveling tomorrow, Thursday 10th Feb, arriving in Antigua at 15:00hrs. Will let you all know what happens next.
Roy

Current Status

Hi Everyone,
Update on this problem. Over Xmas and New Year not much happened, I made a few enquiries were I could, and because of this, it became obvious it was going to be an impossible task to sort this out in Antigua. I managed to get the required documents from the Police allowing me to fly, then I booked a return flight back home. I arrived home last Tuesday 4th Jan. and immediately began to make enquiries about passport replacement etc. Wednesday saw all documents needed filled in and an interview booked for Thursday afternoon at the Liverpool Passport 'IPS' office in Old Hall Street. I must say they were brilliant, and told me to return next day at 10:00am to pick up my new passport! which I did. So dear friends the first hurdle is sorted and I am continuing with the rest. Watch this space.
Roy

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

Final Missing Blog Pic's 9

And here finally are the last pics.
Pic 1 and 2 alongside at Jolly Harbour Marina, with the top diamond wires and starb spreader removed, whilst getting them renewed.
Pics 3, 4 and five, photos by a well met friend Barry, being hauled out for storage at the yard.
Pic 6 plotter showing 9,306 nm since leaving Liverpool Marina in 2009.
Roy

Missing Blog Pic's 8

Here we have a trial sail to Marigot Bay after fixing everything, water was still coming in, and I was hoping this would stop as had been out of the water for a while. Didn't happen!
Pic1 Duncans Yacht 'Stephina'...following pics by Danielle, with her at the tiller helming GL for the first time.
Roy

Missing Blog Pic's 7

Here are photos of the old engine after removal from boat, and New engine ready to put in the engine space. Duncan helped me a lot and together, although hard work in 35 deg C with high humidity, we managed it quite quickly.
Roy

Missing Blog Pic's 5

Here we have my last night before leaving Falmouth Antigua, Passing Sandy Island, then nine days of no sun, Then the plotter ( not good photo) but with 773 miles to go Batteries were back up to 12 volts again, even though pumping 250 gallons of water out per hour. Last pic is pidgon when I made it back. Arrival photos were already posted.
Roy

Missing Blog Pic's 6

Here we have views of the hull condition on arrival back in Rodney Bay Shipyard St Lucia.
Note the sheared off stern fitting, damaged bow caulking, the missing caulking and the leaking starboard garboard plank, down the full length of the boat. Port side is only wet underneath the keel, from the missing sealing port side.
Roy

Missing Blog Pic's 4

Here we have the famous Mount Gay Jump Up staged in Falmouth Harbour at the begining of Sailing week. People are allowed on stage to dance, and its all done 'in peace'. The 2 girls jumped into the freezer van, to hot for some!
And here is, an as yet untold story; The band invited the audience to show how to dance Caribbean style, they do know how to move out there, they then asked the european and usa people to show them how we do it......... well the thing is, a ticket cost 40 EC dollars, no smaller, and for that you get 5! rums with mixers, I had had 2 tickets and was on my own.......so 10 rum and gingers later the band then played the 'Blues Brothers' ( 'I want you, you, you' ) song.......... no one was getting on the stage........so I 'jumped up' and solo on stage, miming the words, did my party piece dancing with all the moves! when finished I jumped off and hid!
Roy