6 April continues - Getting ashore from Pinney Beach was hit and miss the dumping surf. Everyone else was motoring the mile south to use the jetty at Charleston. Now we don’t have an outboard, like about everyone else. I guess its less fuss not having to worry about petrol, where to buy it and store it etc. Anyway we could bother to row there so motored RT down there and anchored up off the town. We went ashore and had a good time nosing around Charlestown. Norm and I even took time out to get a haircut. Number 3 for Norm and a 4 for me. Why is it no one uses scissors these days.

Charlestown

 

Charlestown

 

Charlestown

 

Norm gets the chop

 

 

Sunset from Charlestown Quay

 

7 April – I wanted to check out some diving down at Qualie Beach about 4 miles north. We decide it would be better to sail there rather than take a taxi so an hour later we where anchored in Mosquito Bay off Qualie Beach. We settled in by having a walk as usual in the midday sun and ended up talking to some of the old soaks around the bar at the local hotel. Nevis seems to have a very large expatriate population mainly Brits and Americans. Seems quite easy to buy property and get citizenship if you want it. I sussed out the fella renting bikes and the dive shop but as it was Sunday was unable to fix anything up.

 

8 April – Norm was happy to stay on board so I set off earlyish to see what I could fix up for the day. I could dive at 13 30 so decided to have a half day on a bike. Its 20 miles around Nevios by road including getting over the substantial shoulder of Mount Nevis. I set off and had a fantastic time looking at the Botantical Gardens, saw where Nelson got married to island widow Frances Nesbitt in 1787, saw the beautiful sugar cane plantation properties at the Manor House, Golden Rock and Nesbitt and some of the old sugar cane workings on the beach. I think Nevis is one of my favourite islands. It has so much to offer, it isn’t stuffed full of yachties or tourists. The beaches are OK but not exquisite and the beach hotel we saw where quite laid back. There are some really posh places though. There are lots of activities and walks. I think Nevis tries to think of itself as a ‘green’ island. They mention there wind farm on the east coast but to be honest its a gesture in the green direction but quite pathetic.  The driving is good, everyone seems to be considerate and they don’t tear around like on some of the other islands. I felt safe on the bike and made it back after about 3.5 hours.

 

Then it was change for the dive boat and head off actually to St Kitts across the Narrows. We got down to 15/20 m saw a large sting ray and loads of fish and coral. Some of the other saw a turtle. Apparently there are plenty of them. I was feeling a bit guilty that I had left Norm on board RT all day but he seems happy with his Kindle.  Anyway when I got back at about 16 30 we upped hook and headed off across the Narrows to anchor in White House Bay St Kitts.

 

Mailboxes at Qualie Beach

 

Sunset in Mosquito Bay

 

Manor Plantation House

 

Manor House

 

Nevis from the Dive Boat

 

In Basseterre marina St Kitts at the mo, trying to sort out why the dinghy keeps going flat on us and recharging batteries. Hope to tour island tomorrow.