Sun Bronzed Aussies

Seeking Refuge: 15-22 Jul 08

The Cap’n got us safely back to Marigot (an early start to beat the rat race – great!) only to be given the anchorage scuttlebutt. Wild winds; strong gusts were forecast in coming days. So under the narrow lifting bridge on the French side, we sailed into Simpson Bay Lagoon. Free from ocean swell, strong gusts and ferry chop, we all slept well that night.

Sunset over Simpson Bay Lagoon

New BBQ & BW cooks!

The Lagoon is about 12 square miles of landlocked water. Cap’n Speedy found us a nice spot in the lee of Mount Fortune (known locally as Witches Tit). Goats seems plastered to its steep & rocky slopes. Hollywood had the wake board out even faster than he could say “What’s for lunch?”. Only swimming was out; sightings had been reported of bronze whalers. Or maybe it was just bronzed Aussies?

Scurfing in the Lagoon

Simpson Bay Lagoon is a yachties mecca. Chandleries and yacht “stuff” shops crowd its shores and small inflatable boats (caribes) buzz about like blowflies in summer. I think there is rather a lot of the other kind of Caribs about too! The Lagoon is shared by both Dutch and French. It’s hard to know where the beginning/end is…no one seems to care much UNLESS you sail your big boat “over the line”.

Much to our amazement we had pulled up alongside more Aussies. Jimmy, Shez and their 4 kids, who have been here since baby number 4 was born (onboard!) more than 10 months ago. All on a 50 foot yacht. Now that’s pioneering spirit!