Friday, March 2, 2012

dispatch 1 March

Normandie is coming to Turks & Caicos on 16 March. Our plans have been that it would take me a week to get there, and there will still be a week of contingency, or for me to learn about the place so I will know what is going on when she gets there. I will go past, or stop at islands on the way down. First is Long Island, then Crooked Island, Acklins, Mayaguana, and then Caicos. My problem is that the islands string out in a south east directon, dirctly into the prevailing wind and current. Conventional wisdom has it that one should wait until the wind is fronm the north, or very little wind, then go as fast and as far as you can before the "normal" winds return.
  I did my kiteboarding thing, and was going back for more today when the wind died, and the wind is supposed to stay calm tomorrow too. I was aground at Rolleville so I had to wait for high tide to leave. Just after noon I got off the ground and recovered my anchors, then went about five miles to a fancy upscale marina to fill up with fuel. There will probably be no sailing on this part of the trip. I got away about 14:30 and headed for the north end of Long Island, motoring hard. The sea is calm and I am making good time. I wonder how long that will last. I plan to go down the length of Long Island, then Crooked Island, and I hope I can get to the east end of Acklins. There is an anchorage there I have stopped at before which is very protected in the wind. It is a long way. Depending on the wind and sea state I may not make it. If I have to stop before I get there it will add a day to how long it takes to get to T&C.
  That's all for now.
Bill Doar

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