Caribbean 2017/18 to UK
19th December 2017 - Xmas Family visit.
We met our son Lloyd his wife Maria and our two grand children Reuben (5) and Logan (3) at Antigua airport for 2 weeks over Christmas. What a great couple of weeks and despite a few colds the boys readily adjusted to the bunk beds, the boat, sailing the tender and swimming in the sea etc. In two weeks it was spectacular to watch their confidence in every aspect of life on a boat change so fast. On Friday the 29th we bid them a very sad farewell as they headed back to the cold but to another set of presents that Father Christmas had dropped locally in Bristol UK.
1st November 2017 - BriZo prep and plans
Well the first 6 weeks to the 19th December 2017 were full on boat prep. I guess after 3 year around the world and a hurricane filled summer in Antigua BriZo 's list of maintenance and repairs just seemed to get ever longer. Pat an I cracked through them and some will continue on into the new year now, but BriZo will be in top shape the other end of it.
We did get time to get together with friends Mervyn and Amanda who had their own challenges with the house build they are completing here in Falmouth Antigua. We also met old friends David and Suzanne from Suzie Too and had several Sunday beach BBQ's with them and their friends from the Salty Sea Dog rally. A great break from work on BriZo which is complicated by her sale preparation and a new commitment to return her to the UK at the end of this season (May 2018) where she will be placed in a bonded area in Lymington for sale through Berthon.
Pat and I are now determined to move to a Catamaran which we hope to take on in June 2019 and sail back to the Caribbean that year.
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Antigua 2017 Preparation
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Looking good although we were into week 4 before most things were operational and clean.
We returned 1st November and stayed in the sail loft of the Admirals In in the background above Pat.
Great to get BriZo in picture. There was a lot of excitement from the locals at Falmouth and English harbour the day she arrived. Gone by the morning though.
Looking good although we were into week 4 before most things were operational and clean.
LATEST Pictures lower down this page
Tentative 1st day steps in unusual warm sea
Reuben in control !
Last afternoon on the boat - Logan was told to smile and show his teeth - big mistake.
Tentative 1st day steps in unusual warm sea
Antigua Xmas 2017
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