Bermuda is quite beautiful with its pastel architecture, clean streets and British flavor. The locals are friendly, engaging and happy to enlighten you about their island. Public transportation (buses and ferries) is awesome. You can get around Bermuda with no problem, inexpensively. At the original time of this writing, we still had awhile before our sail and hardware would be ready so, while we waited, we enjoyed the sights and people. Periodically, we’d go to the capital, Hamilton, to shop for food (there’s a wonderful supermarket there), and buy various hardware or marine supplies. We visited the aquarium, crystal caves, the Botanical Gardens and several historical locations, including 6 forts. We are anchored in the harbor in St. George which has maintained a lot of its 17th century charm. So it’s really very pleasant being here. We visited a couple of beaches, but not to swim because it’s just a bit cool for us – in the 60’s/low 70’s.
We're meeting other boaters anchored here and, one night a bunch of us were invited to a "little party" aboard a local guy's boat. His name is "Uptown". He has a neat little 35 footer that he had festooned with blue flashing Christmas tree lights for the occasion. He served up a beautiful jerk fish dish and the rest of us brought trimmings, wine and beer. After dinner (and far too much booze), Uptown announced that we were going for a little cruise. We assured him it was not necessary, but he'd have nothing else. So, we cast off his mooring in the moonless night and wove our way through reefs, moorings and other boats out into the main bay, R&B blaring from the cockpit speakers, past the pilings of a ruined bridge, and then (with a considerable pucker factor for most of us) through St. David's Cut, a very narrow, 6 1/2 foot deep (if you know where to place your boat) channel between two closely spaced cliffs. By now, the wind was kicking up to 20-25 kts. Uptown then decided he'd deliver us to our dinghies at the other end of the bay from his mooring, so into the concrete sided Custom's Harbor we motored, and at the last moment he ported the helm, his boat swung and, with the help of a couple of strangers, we kissed up against the sea-wall. What a crazy night. We had fun, but we were happy to be back into the safe confines of our own boats.
Some cruisers we’ve met here: David & Kristen (and their cat) on Sayonara from New England; Steve & Linda on Blue Pearl from Connecticut; Jean & Josianne on Kurika from France; Carol & Tim on Somerset III from Toronto; Dawn & Lawrence on a catamaran (the name of which escapes us at present) from Canada; Twig , Bonnie and their daughters Alissa and Rachel on Heron from Maine; David & Lady (and their cat) on Sucre from Belgium and Columbia; Ed, Sandy and their dog Jager on Rolling Stone from Annapolis; Rubin on Antares from Annapolis; Kevin on Ruth Avery from Newport (single handing his 32 foot gaff-rigged cutter which has no auxiliary – he’s truly hardcore) and many others whose names we just can’t remember right now. Between the times folks sail in and out again, we all enjoy happy hour or dinner on one or the other’s boat, exchanging stories and sharing music, books, DVD’s and advice.
We’re fortunate to be here during the holiday season and the St. Georgians make it very festive and welcoming. On 12/12 the town had a Christmas walk-about where many of the homes and businesses opened house to share refreshments and show off their decorations. A stage was erected in the town square for entertainment by locals. A party invitation was extended by a lovely woman, Jillian Outerbridge, to all cruisers who found themselves still in the harbor, which took place later that night.
It’s a very rich time.
Note: Many of the photos which we intended for this posting are held captive by our camera which has decided not to boot up.
Photos: At the Zoo; Bill at the Aquarium; Jager, the sailing Shepard on S/V Rolling Stone; Uptown's party sailboat (can't believe 8 of us fit on it for dinner); Uptown in his dinghy; Tour boat; Garden's of St. George's.
We're meeting other boaters anchored here and, one night a bunch of us were invited to a "little party" aboard a local guy's boat. His name is "Uptown". He has a neat little 35 footer that he had festooned with blue flashing Christmas tree lights for the occasion. He served up a beautiful jerk fish dish and the rest of us brought trimmings, wine and beer. After dinner (and far too much booze), Uptown announced that we were going for a little cruise. We assured him it was not necessary, but he'd have nothing else. So, we cast off his mooring in the moonless night and wove our way through reefs, moorings and other boats out into the main bay, R&B blaring from the cockpit speakers, past the pilings of a ruined bridge, and then (with a considerable pucker factor for most of us) through St. David's Cut, a very narrow, 6 1/2 foot deep (if you know where to place your boat) channel between two closely spaced cliffs. By now, the wind was kicking up to 20-25 kts. Uptown then decided he'd deliver us to our dinghies at the other end of the bay from his mooring, so into the concrete sided Custom's Harbor we motored, and at the last moment he ported the helm, his boat swung and, with the help of a couple of strangers, we kissed up against the sea-wall. What a crazy night. We had fun, but we were happy to be back into the safe confines of our own boats.
Some cruisers we’ve met here: David & Kristen (and their cat) on Sayonara from New England; Steve & Linda on Blue Pearl from Connecticut; Jean & Josianne on Kurika from France; Carol & Tim on Somerset III from Toronto; Dawn & Lawrence on a catamaran (the name of which escapes us at present) from Canada; Twig , Bonnie and their daughters Alissa and Rachel on Heron from Maine; David & Lady (and their cat) on Sucre from Belgium and Columbia; Ed, Sandy and their dog Jager on Rolling Stone from Annapolis; Rubin on Antares from Annapolis; Kevin on Ruth Avery from Newport (single handing his 32 foot gaff-rigged cutter which has no auxiliary – he’s truly hardcore) and many others whose names we just can’t remember right now. Between the times folks sail in and out again, we all enjoy happy hour or dinner on one or the other’s boat, exchanging stories and sharing music, books, DVD’s and advice.
We’re fortunate to be here during the holiday season and the St. Georgians make it very festive and welcoming. On 12/12 the town had a Christmas walk-about where many of the homes and businesses opened house to share refreshments and show off their decorations. A stage was erected in the town square for entertainment by locals. A party invitation was extended by a lovely woman, Jillian Outerbridge, to all cruisers who found themselves still in the harbor, which took place later that night.
It’s a very rich time.
Note: Many of the photos which we intended for this posting are held captive by our camera which has decided not to boot up.
Photos: At the Zoo; Bill at the Aquarium; Jager, the sailing Shepard on S/V Rolling Stone; Uptown's party sailboat (can't believe 8 of us fit on it for dinner); Uptown in his dinghy; Tour boat; Garden's of St. George's.
