3 April 2004

News No 10:

Puerto Rico to the Virgin Islands

We were boarded by the American Coast Guard this afternoon, on the way into Puerto Rico, they came aboard on the auspices of a safety check, but I'm sure they're also looking for illegal immigrants and drug passaging. Fine young men with good attitudes! We felt glad to know they are around. We arrived in Mayaguez in the dark and crept in dropping anchor between the two cones as demacated on the chart. In the morning the Walker crew who had spent their first night in a hotel after hiring a car and motoring to meet us, were hanging on the fence, all full of smiles, whistles and waves. We cleared through customs, and they cleared on board and off we set sail to Buquoron, we had a wonderful sail with the 3 girls hanging off the back of Inspiration in the most beautiful turquoise water. Allan put 3 rods out and you can't believe how the fish are biting! 3 in 10 minutes! Red snapper, a couda which we threw back and a king mackerel. On Alli's birthday concluded seven species in two days, a huge red snapper, a couda, a bonita more king mackerel, rock cod, and a beautiful syclefin pompana (sp), and a king fish. Often the second fish hit while the first was still being pulled in, so Barry got to catch the biggest red snapper of his life, which we are braaing today! Also the bonita hit while Allan was bringing in the king mackerel, so Snow landed that one. We've had fish everynight for the past 3 days, plus beautiful tuna mayo sandwhiches, which Nettie made for dinner, on Kaalgat's birthday. We went out for a lovely lunch and the boys carried on all afternoon and evening, and ended singing with Frank before collapsing into bed, not before a lot of speeches, and lots of snot en traane.

Well here we are 10 days later, we picked up Kiernan and the following day Jeffery and Dominique, so the boat in now chockablock full and were heading off to Virgin Gorda part of the BVI. Last night we had a wonderfull dinner at Marina Cay's Pussers resort, including many painkillers! A rack of lamb, curried prawns, strip of beef calamaris and dorado.

St Johns in the US Virgin Islands was the highlight of our past week's sailing, spending two days anchored off Honeymoon Beach, outside the quaint little town of Cruz Bay. Everything was perfect, right down from the white beaches, beautiful snorkeling, forested shore walks, great restaurants and shops. A stop not to be excluded from a cruising itinerary of the area.

The new sailors on board who are all newly qualified as competent crew in a recently completed sailing course, are getting to grips with Inspiration, and much hillarity and excitement is drifting down to me from the topsides. So I'll say cheers to my armchair travellers, speak to you all soon! Keep the emails coming, we love to hear from you all!

Much love
Anne and Barry
Allan, Christine, and Annette
Jeffrey, Dominique and Keernan.