I’m awakened well before the shore birds this morning; a light rain spritzing my face via the deck hatch above my aft quarter berth. Jumping up to close the other open portholes in the darkened main saloon, I see Jeff has already jumped to. This effectively cuts off all source of ventilation so unable to continue sleep I pull on some trousers. By the time I climb the ladder topside the drizzle has ended. It’s nice on deck with fresh air and the clearing so I stay.
Spencer and I enjoyed our first Scuba dive together yesterday. I was pleased to see his skill demonstrated with calm, confidence and ease. I believe I picked up a few tips from him as he was happy to share training pointers.
A rocky point on Salt Island is a site of a near escape from hurricane force winds over a hundred years ago when British mail steamer Rhone was lost. She broke in two and the stern section is laying on it’s side in 80 feet of water at it’s deepest. Popular for it’s accessibility by dive boats and yachts we arrived on station early. Jeff stayed aboard to keep watch. Our initial attempt at a short surface swim to the final location was thwarted by heavy water current so we piled into the dinghy and Jeff motored us the additional yardage. It was exciting to dive this wreck now home to the fishes Spencer with an eye for observation spied a large Sea Turtle specimen also perusing this man created sub-marine reef. We explored until our air tanks were exhausted.
Back onboard we downed sandwiches before leaving our mooring. We motored the narrow channel between Cooper an Salt and then raised sail for a downwind run, backtracking somewhat to Peter.
The swell on the windward exposed side of these islands is significantly greater than the relatively sheltered inner channel.
Every 9th wave set would pitch and roll our craft. Getting around in the cabin was a challenge; easy to bang into things and stub toes.
Passing Dead Chest and arriving at Peter we took a shore break finding the Yacht Club and resort and tied up dockside for a short while. Great Harbor on the protected side just around the corner of this Island was our plan so we made way.
With plenty of remaining daylight. Spencer and I snorkeled the shoreline between overnight mooring and a beachfront restaurant / bar. The shallows have many colorful fishes, corrals and marine life to see. Conch make plodding tracks across the sandy floor. A rather large silvery tuna was fun to chase down in the interest of capturing an underwater photo — or had he left the deeper part to come and observe us?
Well since we’ve kicked al the way to the beachfront might as well drip dry over at the bar. Jeff has been tracking us from LILIA and smelling a cold beer arrives in the dinghy simultaneously with wallet! I haven’t got my land legs back yet so I abstain to inquire about a dinner table for later. My tummy was settled by then and we had a nice dinner end of day.
4am now and I’m hearing the early birds. Might have to disappear below deck for a little extra snooze. Virgin Gorda is on the itinerary later this morning.