A couple of hours sorting out some office work at the hotel and catching up with some action points before I head off the to the Dockyard. The yachts were off the dock early today with the Division A boats doing a race to the west around Redonda and back again (with the smaller boats stopping slightly short at a race marker. The division B boats head up to Jolly Harbour on the North East Coast starting from just outside Falmouth harbour.
I head up to Jolly Harbour and drive through the stunningly beautiful rainforests and along the coastal roads with great views of the beaches along the way. I have only ever arrived here by water before so this is a real treat to get out and explore the Island a little on the way. The water looks so inviting and the palm trees give shade to the lucky people able to relax and enjoy the view of the turquoise water.
We set up camp in the marina and our guys set to work setting up our mobile merchandise stall selling all manner of Antigua Sailing Week gear. I head off the check our boats that are staying in Jolly Harbour and ensure that our charter clients are happy and have not broken anything today (all part of the service!). All seems good with all the boats…. Then I hear that Monkey had managed to damage the engine on our RIB (had to get that one in as I have been getting stick for months about a little incident on our UK RIB for several months now!).
The party is in full swing and I meet my Canadian friends whilst walking down the pontoon. I get physically dragged onboard as they will not accept a no to their invitation to join them for a post race cocktail! Well, they will be chartering from us next year boss! I am treated to a Canadian specialty… a Caesar. This concoction is made from Clamato juice (tomato juice mixed with clam juice), Worcestershire sauce, a lime wedge and a stick of celery….. oh and a large measure of good vodka! WOW… that is some drink!!!
I’m going to leave the revelers to it I think…. need to get some shut eye before tomorrow. The sounds of the band Itchy Feet fill the air as I walk to the car. How do these people do it every night for 7 nights. There slogan must be that “the liver is evil and it must be punished”… hey, plenty of time for detox next week!
