Immersed in the adventure it’s a challenge to remember what day it is. I can see why sailors keep written logs to keep track. Some of the smaller islands are beginning to look like Gilligan’s.

“One hand for yourself — one for the ship” is an old-time sailors expression. I recall that now after my morning plunge. Not to worry (my cell was not in my pants pocket but tethered to a charge cable in cabin) the water is 87 degrees but it was a kind of a shock. It’s to laugh I guess. Jeff heard the splash and rushed topside to inquire about my condition before receding to get Spencer from of his bunk to take a look at his sorry fully clothed dripping Dad hauling himself up out of the bay. Guffaws followed.

I know exactly what went wrong and without full reenactment I will explain my mistake. One hand clutched a pair of screw drivers from the tool kit. The other grabbed for the safety rail but took the similar looking hinged at the base folding swim ladder instead. Leaning out over the ledge of the swim platform to draw in the dinghy by its painter the pivoting ladder did exactly would it was designed to do and launched me head first for my before breakfast swim. The deployed ladder was now ready for use!

I somehow managed in this to not let go of the screw drivers and was able to salvage some pride by completing my tweak adjustment on the dinghy outboard. It now idles properly.

We left the quiet harbor just as the morning breeze began to pipe up. Motoring out to Drakes Channel we left sails bagged because we could see a squall ahead and the wind freshened. White caps were forming and we would have had to take a reef in the sail anyway. Too much effort. We’re on vacation right? The squall soon passed but not before a good soaking. It was Spencer’s turn at the wheel today and Jeff and I took shelter from the open hatchway to watch Spencer receive a pelting. The cockpit Bimini was no help as Spencer carried on shirtless at the helm. I offered to fetch him up a rain slicker which was refused. He was lovein’ it and said the chill from wet and wind was a rare sensation in these warm and humid tropical days and nights.

We had the best winds yet with a steady 15 knots. We sailed close hauled leeward rail down all the way up Drakes. We’ve got our sea legs. Spencer is perhaps best at it. The rest of us stub our toes on cabinetry and bang into things as we search for handholds. He can sit there (with laptop) at the cabin settee comfortable as the boat leans and yaws.

Arriving at The Dogs next to Virgin Gorda we selected The Chimney as our dive site. This place is named for its resemblance to a technical rock climbing slot rising from 25 feet it features a narrow crack between two large boulders rising to the surface. There are a couple of canyon alleys encrusted with marine life that we navigate. Featured is a massive archway that we swim under rolling onto backs inverted to watch our exhaled bubbles strike the cathedral ceiling.

Back aboard LILIA, we ate cheese, crackers, luncheon meats and chips the rocky cliff view. Next stop is the North Sound, a large water body playground and safe anchorage. Navigating the narrow arrival was tricky. There is an apparent easy approach from the west entrance but that one is risky and not recommend for a boat with our draft. Local knowledge during a pre-departure brief advised against so we rounded Mosquito Island to pass further north between Colquhoun Reef and
Prickly Pear Island. Who comes up with these names?

We paced a professional crewed catamaran through here holding full sail until the very latest. Our mooring is the Bitter End Yacht Club Resort. We went ashore for some pub food and beer last night. This morning, after I attempt pancakes and bacon on the galley stove, the first order of business is to transport our 4 spent tanks to the dinghy dock for refill.

Marina Cay, located between Beef Island and Scrub Island is our goal today.