We spent a full three weeks in dusty and frequently rainy Jolly Harbour Boatyard. It was ten days before our new fuel injector pump arrived from America and in the interim we took the opportunity to have Ivan and Jayden of Nautical Marine Services do the engine 2000 hour service. This was complex and comprehensive with most of the engine dismantled and taken away for cleaning, the grubbier bits being washed in 30% hydrochloric acid! It was not easy to relax around the boat with the aft cabin out of bounds, oily cloths, tools and engine parts all over the saloon floor and the engineers coming and going at random.
Every day felt like ‘Ground Hog Day’, rising early and frequently having to climb in and out of the boat via the aft locker as the companion way steps were raised to give access to the engine. Luckily the boatyard had a little café serving delicious rotis so we could picnic in the cockpit at lunchtime before making ourselves scarce each afternoon, relaxing by the marina pool. We hired a car to see a bit more of Antigua, exploring the east coat and Devil’s Bridge and walking up a very steep trail to Obama’s Peak that afforded fabulous views towards Jolly Harbour and St John.
At last, the injector arrived and Jayden and CJ spent the last few days hard at work getting the parts installed. They continued to work all day Saturday and Sunday morning until finally we were able to escape Jolly Harbour heading out into the bay to drop anchor. Even that was a bit fraught as the anchor had jammed and we thought that we might have to go back to the boatyard. Aargh!! Fortunately, with the aid of a hammer, it un-jammed and we spent a relaxed afternoon planning for our departure from Antigua.
We set off for Nevis at the start of the week hoping to spent a few days exploring St Kitts and Nevis. Unfortunately, with the engine running and propellor spinning, there’s a worrying rumbling sound. We are pretty sure it’s because the propellor is now covered in barnacles and hope that it’s not anything more serious. Still, it means we should head to St Maarten promptly to have the boat scrubbed and the propellor checked.
We are now in St Barthelemy, a stunning French island. We initially anchored in Gustavia, a very pretty port with colonial style buildings rising up all the surrounding hills. It clearly attracts the super-rich as the streets are crammed with high end stores: Dior, Prada, Hermes, Cartier, Patek Phillipe. Not really our style, although we were delighted to find a big Super U where we have stocked up on delicious French food. We are now in Anse du Colombier, a beautiful bay on the north of the island. There are turtles galore all around the boat and as we snorkelled to check the prop we saw a tiger ray swimming around below us. It will be a shame to leave.