Starts early in the marina with birds and chickens on the green hills surrounding making lots of happy racket. After sunrise we borrow a Bic lighter from a yachtswoman neighbor returning from the comfort station and light our stove. We note the need for matches and some other minor items missing like TP and garbage bags before we shove off.
From the kettle I enjoy a morning cup of tea as the marina wakes up. By 0800 the place is full of activity. We top of the diesel auxiliary; I collect my DiveCaribbean handbook (long story).
Maneuvering out of our confined slip at the charter facility was a thrill. We were at on our way as I motor out verrry slowly. I wasn’t following the previous departure who’s skipper carried too much power and hooked his trailing dinghy on the pier pylon. His nervous first mate all the while uttering nervous expletives nearly lost her fingers between the cleat and the painter.
Our boat, LILIA has the electronics to backup our chart. We set a southerly course crossing Drake’s Channel on a reach making 4 knots in 8 to 10 knots of trade wind. We have an autopilot which reliably holds our course. We don’t have much distance to traverse and it’s all line of sight but I take an interest in the tech equipment on board.
Norman Island is the destination for the day. That is where we are as I type this. The Bight. We picked up a mooring ball and I’m catching bits and pieces of the dialog as we relax in the cockpit. Spencer and Jeff are drinking cold ones.
We visited snorkel sites today: The Indians: a rocky reef rising from 35 foot depths to an equal height above sea level. I managed to tag my knee on some corral but that didn’t slow us down. We visited The Caves: on a second swim. All of this documented with my new helmet cam.
Dinner is next. Time to board the dinghy and putt putt over to the Pirates or perhaps Willy T’s… The outboard is a little tricky. It won’t idle but I’ve managed not to smack the dock.
Scanning the harbor there are only just a few moorings left. Spencer counts 2 dozen yachts. Best head over to the restaurant before the rush.