Virgins

To enter the British Virgins was a fairly straight forward affair, particularly being British and all that. Having cleared customs in Virgin Gorda, we went to what must be one of the most picturesque spots known as the Baths. This area has massive granite boulders that were carried down to the sea in limestone. Over the years the sea has washed away the limestone leaving a pile of granite boulders in which you can explore, and explore we did. Some of the "caverns" you have to wade or swim through with the almighty sound of the Caribbean swell which is dissipated by the rocks. The exploration was rewarded by a beautiful white sand beach with huge breakers. Bones and Tonto spent the afternoon crashing body surfing and being dumped. You don't want to know how much sand you can get in your shorts and other orifices.

Next couple of days we spent snorkelling (with the sounds of Eleanor screaming down the snorkel tube, look there's a fish) at Marina Cays, Tortola and Norman Island. Where it is reputed my hearties that Blackbeards Treasure is hidden in the caves which we explored Ahhhhhhrrrr.

We called in at the fishing port of Soppers Hole, Tortola.

We got three live females on board that day. But unfortunately Bone's cooked them, they were all black but when they were finished with Bone's, they were pink and split in half. - They are of course delicious Lobsters and very tasty they were too.

US Customs: Not satisfied Bones set sail in search of a US Virgin. On arrival he was rejected and sent back to a British Virgin. One must arrive on a fairy my dear to obtain a wavier for the US. So Martin obliged and off we went on a ferry to obtain the necessary entry for a US Virgin.

The following day we could enter a US

St John, US Virgin has a marine undersea park which we were anxious to visit.

This Disney world adventure for snorkelling was an underwater circus. A trail set out amongst the reef with underwater signs and pictures of fish, bazaar, we had truly reached America.

It was now time for Eleanor to fly home. Our next port of call was Lindbergh Bay, St Thomas, we anchored not more than 500 meters from the runway. Will this do you then Eleanor? Happy hour at the hotel bar, found us exchanging dinghy dumping stories with an American charter group. Later we were guests at their dinner table in Charlotte Amalie French Quarter. Sadly we said goodbye to Eleanor's party spirit as she departed on an Island hopper to Antigua.

Now we must explore the Spanish Virgins.