Whats your definition of Freedom?
The definition of freedom is interpreted in many ways and we feel extremely privileged and blessed to be able to live our definition of freedom. Especially to be free enough to be able to make a decision to try to live our wildest dreams. Living on a sailing cat off the grid with a minimal need for fossil fuels, relying on solar, wind and rainwater, sustainably eating fish seems ideal to us even if we are escaping the realities of the modern world for just a while.
Sailing is getting easier and more fun as we gain an understanding of the boat and the forces of wind and water on her. We have managed a speed of 11.4 knots to windward about 40 - 50 degrees off the wind which was a blast and we crossed the 12 nautical mile Anagada passage a couple of days ago in 20 knot winds with 6 foot swell in 2 hours and caught the beautiful Mahi Mahi or Dorado on the way. What a blast!
We are now taking some down time in beautiful Anegada - the only limestone coral atoll island of the British Virgin Islands. A coral reef fringes most of the island and our guide book states that this is the third largest fringing reef in the world! Over 300 ship wrecks to dive and snorkel and amazing tropical coral ecosystems to explore. Yesterday we went to the North side of the island for a snorkel - the visibility was incredible and we were lucky to see many large snapper, a reef shark and a decent sized bull shark in amongst purple fan and brain corals and sea urchin.
Since last posting, we have managed to single handedly hook up our 327 Watt Sunpower solar panel and the Outback 60 MPPT controller which gives us enough power to run the boat (including fridge, lights, charging appliances), installed the radome scanner for the Radar system half way up the mast (a massive task which involved Sara hoisting Danny boy up the mast several times, 1 broken rivet gun and countless attempts at feeding a thick electrical cable down the mast with 'mouse lines' - Dan also weathered a particularly ferocious little storm up the mast while Sara retreated inside to escape the rain!). We've also fixed a broken fuel line, tightened cleats and fixed the oven but as quickly as the to-do list shrinks, it seems to grow again by the following day!
Here are some photos from the last couple weeks of adventuring
Taking the plunge at White Bay, Guana Island
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| Christmas Lunch on Peter Island |
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| Trish Bailey! What an Inspiration! She has the best friend imaginable in the BVI's. Constantly helping us with her incredible boat knowledge, sailing skills, trips to town when we need supplies. and lovely gift for Brahminy to make her homely. She's also a Passionate marine conservationist helping to protect the pristine beauty of the BVI's for over 20 years. Thanks Trish!!! |
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| A backgammon board is an essential for cruising. |
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| Skipper Dan - check out the new mainsail, thanks to Bob from Doyle sails Caribbean! |
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| Saras mum Holly came to spend a great time on the boat with us. Loving the warm weather after DC! |
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| Mangroves in the Carribean |
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| Room with a View, Marina Cay. |
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| The beloved solar panel |
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| Scrabble champ Holly |
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| All smiles on Day 1 of Radome install, little did we know Danny boy was later to weather a storm up the mast... |
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| Trellis Bay aqua blue |
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| Our first Fish meal caught on a feather lure... |
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| The Caribbean; a place of rainbows |
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| Home sweet home :) |
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| Radar installation |
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| We were surrounded by super yachts in Gorda Sound - we counted 14 the night we anchored here! |
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| Dan fixing the oven so Sara can cook bread....... |
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| Sara's first loaf of bread - ever! |
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| We saw pink flamingoes on this huge salt lake at Anagada Island! |
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| Dans first Mahi Mahi |
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| Gallon's curse, just like the Kimberley, these little buggers hurt! |
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| Sea Grapes: local bushtucker - Gubinge like in appearance and the fruit is salty sweet. |
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| Sea Grape folliage |
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| The local cocktail: Cow Killer |
