We are at Barbados!!

In the last episode we were some 25 nm from Barbados and had had supper. We were all looking out for land and thought we would see the Island about 30 nmiles away but no. Robbie and I were on watch and we used the binoculars regularly, It was getting dark now and we had still to gybe again. Suddenly about 17.51 I saw the outline of the south part of the Island and shouted Land Ahoy.! Then we all confirmed we could see it and that it was the right bearing as to where we should be seeing it. We were nearly there.

We were still on the port tack and had to wait until we were at the right point to gybe so that we could sail up the west side of the Island to Bridgetown. As it got darker we could see the lights on the Island which was on our right. Eventually we gybed and were on the right tack. However we noticed a lot of dark menacing clouds and turned the radar on. The radar can pick up the rain clouds and you can make them a target and then it tracks that cloud and shows us the direction it is going in and if it is going to intercept you and if so it gives a time count down. It is very helpful. The problem was we were surrounded by these clouds and at one point we were tracking 3 clouds and a number of count downs. It was as if they were trying to stop us getting to Barbados. Some of these clouds fade away and others become more menacing. We were all in the cockpit watching the radar screens and seeing this cloud battle unfold. There was one we could not avoid so we reefed down quickly and I sat at the helm in a waterproof jacket but no lower waterproofs The heavens opened and the wind gusted up to 30kts and it was howling. However in. a few minutes it was gone. I had wet trousers so I went to change.

We dodged the clouds and began to approach the coast which is where you have to be careful as there are outlying reefs. The strong winds and the disturbed seasto ok us a little off course. We could see the airport and planes landing and taking off and lots of lights from buildings although the waves were quite big and you lost the horizon when they passed. We were looking out for the South Point lighthouse but could not find it which was worrying.  We also saw what seemed like a boat coming towards us with a red light above a white light (usually a sign for a fisherman) although it was not on radar or the chart plotter or on the paper chart.  As we got closer it did not move and then as we passed we realised it was a buoy - a very odd place to put it and especially not to mark it.

We continued and were looking for a red buoy which marks the entrance to Carlisle Bay. I called up the Signal Station on Ch12 and explained who we were and that we were going to arrive after 10.00pm which is when customs close. They gave us permission to anchor in Carlisle Bay but that no-one was to get off before we had cleared customs. We found the red light and then entered Carlisle Bay. We could see lots of boats and yachts moored and had a look around for an anchorage and which is more difficult at night. We picked a spot and anchored which bit first time. We sorted ourselves out and put on the anchor light and snubber (takes the strain off the anchor chain) and then came down below. We all shook hands, hugged and congratulated ourselves – we had done it. I thanked the crew for their great contribution.

We had travelled 2,981 nm and it had taken us 18 days and 7.5 hours which is an average speed of 6.78kts. We had to use the engine due to lack of wind - 96.1 engine hours and 39.2 generator hours to generate power.

We had a celebratory beer and went to bed with a smile on our faces. We had no trouble sleeping. We toasted Stormbird who was the real hero and had looked after us so well.   

The blog will continue as we explore Barbados and beyond.

f you have any comments or suggestions about the blog do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com  I can only upload one picture a day.