Sunday 20 December

Sunday 20 December - Relax
For the past months I have been on the tense edge of my capabilities: Weather windows that must be met, or else; Health and safety requirements that must be met, or else; seamanship and navigation requirements that must be met, or else; Government requirements that must be met, or else. As I said, the tense edge of my capabilities. I can get to St Kitts today, St Martin tomorrow. Then get up at midnight to sail to the eastern Virgins, wind will be 30-35 knots. It will be uncomfortable but I can make it. Then to eastern BVI, on to USVI, find a place on St Thomas to go ashore, find transportation. . . .
Sterling is legally ashore and I may legally depart. I sailed from Antigua about 06:30, just as it was getting light. The wind was about 15 knots, the seas easy and the sun was rising. It was perfect and I only had 50 miles to go to a safe, open, comfortable anchorage. I realized that this is what I have been looking for. The wind is reasonable, short distances between non-critical destinations, sandy beaches, waving palms, other cruising boats, warm water, calm anchorages, and Jesus would come whether or not I got to St Thomas on the 24th.
It was a beautiful day sailing, and instead of forcing my way on all the way to St Kitts I stopped at a beautiful location on Nevis, and made the change from dealing with "or else", to dealing with enjoying what is here, now.
The plan is to go to St Kitts today, build the dinghy, go ashore, check in, and try to find a kiteboarding shop.
Welcome to the Caribbean.
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II