The Bight 4-10

In the morning at Saba Rock, we head into the dock to fill up the water tanks. The wind is blowing hard, right around 20 knots, and providing a bit of a challenge. Its pushing us off the dock, and its a bit of a struggle to power our way up close. The guy on the dock has our stern line, but its clear he has no intention of pulling us in. He’s even reluctant to take up what little slack we do have in the line. Eventually we hit the right combination of thrust and lines, and snug up to the dock. We are completely out of water, and take the full 200 gallons, along with 2 bags of ice. Tim, Katie, and the girls run into the gift shop for some last minute souvenirs. Leaving the dock is easy, the wind pushes us right off. We round the corner of Prickly Pear, and decide to crank up the dinghy on the davits for the long downwind sail to Norman Island. We quickly crank it up, and raise the main to the first reef point.

We have a great sail, finally enjoying the downwind run. A rain shower blows over Virgin Gorda, but we avoid the downpour, getting just a few sprinkles on the boat. We put out both trolling lines, and soon have a fish on the ‘Rattle Jet’ (Ricky) bait we bought in St. Barths. The boat is moving about 8 knots, so we try to slow it down. The fish is pulling hard and flopping out of the water. Its a pretty big fish, and we can see flashes of blue on its side when it splashes out of the water. Unfortunately, the speed is too much, and with one big splash, he is gone. We are now convinced it was the Mahi Mahi that we have been trying for the whole trip. We put the lines back out, and continue on our trip. Its uneventful the rest of the way, making one jibe to get around Peter Island, then straight down into the Bight, arriving about 12:30. We skipped snorkeling at the Indians because of the wind, waves and cloud cover.

Noah takes the kayak into shore, and we follow in the dinghy. There is a sign warning of box jelly fish (confirming that’s what they are called), but there are no sign of them on the beach, and lots of people are swimming. Its Saturday, which means the Puerto Rican Navy is here. This is what we have been calling the large power/fishing boats that come over from Puerto Rico and always seem to raft up together on shore. This time we count 15 boats, the biggest rafting party any of us have seen. The kids start off on a hike around the island, while we secure a picnic table in the shade. There aren’t any sheer rock walls here, so I don’t think we will have the same concerns that we had a Tintamarre. Soon Ellen and Delaina are back, but Noah and Lauren have pressed on over the hill. By 4, they are not back so I decide to take the dinghy around the headland to look for them. I know its 4 because just as I leave the dock there is canon fire behind me. (Signaling the start of Happy Hour). I find Lauren and Noah on the rocky shore around the point.  They climbed down, but hadn’t figured out how to get back up. Lauren climbs in, but Noah is determined to climb over some more rocks. He tries for a while, but has to turn back and get on the dinghy.  Back on shore, I discover that not only is it happy hour, they have the Masters on behind the bar. The girls are building drip castles on the beach, and Noah is watching for a red macaw that hangs out in the tree behind the restaurant. Tracy runs Tim and Katie over to the Willie T, to check that out. They don’t have a lot of fun, as soon as they get there, a group of girls start doing pull ups from the roof. Normally this may be fun to see, but one of them tries to flip over and falls on here head. She is out cold, convulsing, and VISAR is called. Since we have the dingy they are stuck there. Its not exactly a fun party mood anymore. We pick them up, then head back to the boat for dinner. I find a Master’s App for the iphone, and with the service from St. Thomas I can get the radio broadcast. I put it on our speakers, and force everyone else to listen along. Freddie has a good day, and has put himself back in the mix for Sunday. We have a great marinated flank steak – yum. Willie T’s no longer sounds like a good time tonight, so we stay on board. (surprise). Tim and Katie start packing up. Its hard to believe, but their week with us is over. Tomorrow morning we head over to St. Thomas to drop them off.