Bermuda

I am sure we will get there in the end, but the last couple of days have been really tough. 

We have been sailing well out of Antigua, making excellent time, and keeping the boat largely happy. We were leaking a lot the first couple of days, but we kept on top of it, fixing the old Edson hand pump a couple of times, and I installed a much better electrical system for the 12v pump, using two float switches. At its worst the electric pump would run for about 50% of the time, which equated to about 200 hand pumps per half an hour, and meant we would have to run the engine for 5 hours per day to maintain the battery state. The wind picked up one night and I thought it necessary to take a reef in. We went about the operation, and nearing completion, just as we were hauling the main in to tie up the loose sail with the reef pendants, the panel above the first reef exploded, and we were left with a load of loose flapping sail. Luckily the sail was still useable above the second reef, so we went ahead and took the second reef in, and sailed on. The hardest thing in the world for a sailor is to pass up a favourable breeze, and the wind seemed set for a quick and light passage to the Azores, staying well south, which was my number one plan, still trying to nurse Anne Marie along and protect her as much as possible from the ocean. Unfortunately one of our crew had come to the firm conclusion that she could not go any further on the boat, and as such we had to change course for Bermuda to put her and her partner off the boat. I know plenty of skippers who would just have continued to the Azores, rather than make such a large detour, losing time, diesel, and the good forecast, but I am not one of those skippers. A happy ship is paramount, otherwise there is no point in it all. As the wind swung more and more into the South, making it a slow rolly run to Bermuda, I would occasionally stick the boat northeast on the course for the Azores, watch the boat speed increase to seven knots plus, feel her steady down on the reach and become happier and more comfortable, then wince as the reality sunk in again, and pointed her back downwind for Bermuda. We finally made landfall, after motoring a couple of days at the end as the wind fell light, and entered St George's harbour, anchoring in Convicts Bay. The stop was notable for a severe blow one day, which made a mess of the anchorage, driving one yacht ashore, and causing countless others to drag. Anne Marie's heavy chain and anchor held firm, whilst her deep draft and heavy keel kept her comfortable and stable whilst the more modern yachts bounced and yawed around. We got the mainsail repaired by the local sailmaker, and a good job they did of it too. We popped an ad up to see if we could round up any strong crew at short notice, but this proved impossible, so after four days at anchor Oz, Tim and I fuelled up at Pennos wharf, hoisted the main, and sailed out of the harbour and headed North East, finally bound for home again!