...and We're OFF!

It's a nice quiet, rainy morning at Nanny Cay. Once the rain ends the kayakers and surfski energetic rowers are out to entertain us during our (my) leisurely morning coffee.

TODAY is THE DAY to SAIL OFF!

All hands on deck! Ready the boat! (ie: Stay out of the way.) Raise all the flags - USA, Australian, BVI, 7 Seas Cruising Association and Royal BVI Yacht Club burgees plus a long line of pennants for effect. But OOPSIE! Whitey's pennant line knot didn't hold! Will need to do a refresher course on how to tie proper knots! Justin (from the neighboring boat) to the rescue and up the mast to fix the untimely break.

All fixed and ready to GO! --A quick celebratory champagne toast--

And We Are OFF! As we motor out of Nanny Cay we are cheered on by numerous boaters along the way - Bon Voyage!

Goodbye Nanny Cay. Goodbye Tortola. We'll see you in another 3 years (or so)!

OK. So here's the catch: The first leg of our trip is a 38 minute motor (didn't even put up a sail!) to Peter Island to anchor, do some serious boat preparation before we really leave the BVIs and to wait out the wind and rough seas between here and there (the San Blas). Wait for that perfect weather window for our 1st sail (approx 5 days).

Time for our first snorkel - and you know how I love to snorkel! Spotted a southern stingray foraging down on the sea bed near our boat, a mid-size French Angelfish (black with yellow stripes), several

four-eyed butterflyfish and many other common Caribbean reef fish.

Peter Island is a private island owned by the Amway company. Since Hurricanes Maria and Irma (back in September 2017) the very exclusive Peter Island Resort has been closed. Guess it takes a long time in the islands to rebuild something so special. Unfortunately they no longer allow yachties to walk about the island for some exercise - but they can't keep us from anchoring and snorkeling. Hopefully they will finally reopen sometime in '23 and again welcome the yachties to their island.

Our closest neighbor in Great Harbor, Peter Island is ARTEFACT Yacht. (Google it!) At 80meters (262') it looks really big in this small harbor with all other smaller boats. Really puts our little 50' Nutmeg in perspective. But we are having more fun than they are. I really can't imagine living that life.

I hate to dwell on all the fine dining we do on Nutmeg, but must mention tonight's delicious dinner: Max's award winning Tamarind Grand Marnier Duck served with Sweet 'n White mashed potatoes & fresh asparagus. Even some picky Gkids I know would savour it. Max won the culinary competition at the international boat show a few years back - and we are so fortunate to enjoy her recipes and cooking on Nutmeg.

Love You All,
XO XO Gma & Gpa