It’s only about five weeks until I head back to Pandora to run her the 1,500 miles from Beaufort NC to the Caribbean. \u00a0As of now, that’s likely to be within the first few days of the new year. I have my crew all set and we plan to spend some time in the BVI sailing together once we get there.<\/p>\n
The work on Pandora is progressing. \u00a0I understand that the new charger\/inverter is in and the new port lights are moving along. \u00a0The next part will be to deal with the leaking heat exchanger and a general check-over of the engine. \u00a0I can’t wait to write some checks. \u00a0Not.<\/p>\n
And speaking of writing big checks, work on Pandora is pennies compared to the 130′ yacht I crewed on last fall to Ft Lauderdale from Greeenport LI. \u00a0I wrote a number of posts about that amazing trip as we made our way south. \u00a0Of course, with WIFI all the way. \u00a0This post was a sort of tour of the boat.<\/a> \u00a0Amazing.<\/p>\n Anyway, I mention that boat again as Captain Mark told me, when I spoke to him a few days ago, that he will be in the BVI for a while following a month long visit to St Barts over the holidays and we talked about getting together. Yes, that would be fun so hopefully I will get to the BVI before he leaves. \u00a0Fingers crossed. \u00a0I am also hopeful that I’ll be able to crew for him again sometime next year. \u00a0Yes, fingers crossed on both counts.<\/p>\n For sure there’s lot’s happening and I can’t believe that I’ll be heading to the Caribbean and for the first time on my own boat. \u00a0We won’t talk about my aborted attempt last year. \u00a0This time I actually expect to make it all the way. \u00a0I’m excited.<\/p>\n I am also getting pretty wound up about some of the places that Brenda and I will be visiting along the way. \u00a0The plan is for me to head back home\u00a0after Pandora is settled in the BVI for a quick visit to see our soon-to-arrive grandchild (Exciting? yes, yes!!!) and then back to CT to shut the house for the winter. \u00a0After that, Brenda and I will head south and join Pandora for a few months of sailing together.<\/p>\n One of the most fun parts of going places aboard Pandora is that we can visit any island that we wish and not be limited to single spot with an airport. \u00a0When we visited Portugal (by air, not Pandora) for a month a few years ago, we didn’t have a set itinerary and instead booked each location “just in time” as we went from town to town. \u00a0That allowed us to get local advice from folks along the way, a great way to really see a country.<\/p>\n So, as we head from island to island, we will undoubtedly get advice on the most fun spots to visit. \u00a0As we have many friends who have sailed for years in that area that we will hook up with along the way, I am sure that we will get plenty of great advice.<\/p>\n One island nation that I am particularly excited about visiting is Antigua, home of Nelsons Boatyard, a colonial stronghold of the British Navy way back when. It’s beautiful and has been recommended to us as a must-see stop. \u00a0 I found this short three minute drone video tour of the island. \u00a0Can’t wait to visit.