8:00AM - My alarm sounded and I went upstairs to find Eric topside, connected to wifi. George and Mikaela's (Saturday) flights were cancelled outbound from Seattle. With Eileen and Al still on schedule to arrive at EIS, we jumped in the dinghy, aka "Chuckles" and headed ashore. After a short walk to the airport, Eileen and Al came through the door after clearing immigration and customs. Within 30 minutes we boarded Grins, the mothership.
It was decided while we wait for the outcome of George and Mikael's rerouting that we prepare breakfast before leaving the mooring field.
Soon after, we received word that they (G&M) would still be able to make their scheduled arrival in EIS on Sunday providing they were able to leave SEA earlier, and they were. Crisis averted.
We exited Trellis Bay and steering into the wind just outside the Beef Island bluff and raised the main and the jib before turning to a 190M bearing that would bring us just outside Cooper Island.
Cooper Island is a popular mooring for many boaters and in order to secure a mooring ball you should plan to arrive before 2:00PM. Wd searched the field for a ball but the only one we could see vacant was orange, all the rest were white. Is this a private ball?? We checked the BVI Cruising Guide and there was no reference given to colour balls as there often is. It was ours. Al and I went forward with the boat hook and secured the boat.
Time for a cocktail. A common cocktail in the Caribbean is a "Dark & Stormy" made with dark rum (usually Goslings), ginger beer, garnished with a wedge of lime. My alteration on this classic is to add a splash of coconut milk and fresh nutmeg shavings, a Jib Cutter. Yummy!!
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| Jib Cutter |
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| Eileen, Al & Eric enjoying Jib Cutters |
Snacks soon followed comprised of crackers, cold cuts, an array of cheeses, hummus, black olives, and a crisp Chablis.
"Deliverance" cruises all over the BVI's bringing supplies to all the boaters, a great service.
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| Deliverance |
Eileen, Al, & I boarded "Chuckles" to explore the island beach club.
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| Eileen & Al |
Back at the boat it was decided to initiate "nap time" for 1 hour. We flashed up the generator and turned on the air-conditioners.
Time to prepare dinner.
- Sautéed Green Peppers with Garlic
- Oven-roasted finger potatoes with bok choy, garlic, smoked paprika and saffron
- Coconut rice with ginger, smoked paprika and garlic
- BBQ steak
- Sautéed tofu with ginger, smoked paprika, and garlic
- Red wine
After dinner, Eileen and Al were fish watching. They were certain on seeing a school of 4' sharks. The jury is still out on that, but, whatever was swimming around us had the appropriate markings. This is the same spot that last year "Needle-fish" jumped in our dinghy as we motored ashore. Cooper Island is one of my favourite spots in the BVI's regardless of what is in the waters. I am glad we decided to dine topside tonight.
