1st January 2008 - English Harbour and Nelsons Dockyard Marina
Posted at 7:04 PM, Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Hi All,
We made it to 0200 before staggering back to the boat a little worse for wear. The New Years eve party they'd put on in the Dockyard was really good, jumping, and packed with both yotties over from Falmouth Harbour as well as lots of locals. The rock band kept everyone on their feet and the fireworks shot off above our heads exactly at midnight.
We'd met up with John and Irene from Southern Princess - one of the Ozzie Beneteau 57's that did the ARC with us - and danced the night away - finishing off with a bottle of Champagne on their yacht tied up alongside.
This marina is rather unique. It's like living in a museum - albeit a very pretty one. It's set around Lord Nelsons Dockyard which was initiaslly set up and run as a repair base for British Men of War 200+ years back. It remained a valuable stategic base for the Brit Navy for year after - and the natural harbour provided hurricane protection also during the summer months. Their warships used to sail up and down the Caribbean patrolling the island chain, protecting the then vital sugar trade and when required, fighting the French Navy.
In those days (just as now) the waters, the humidity and the temperatures took a lot out of the boats, so being able to careen and refit locally rather than having to sail them back to the British northern colonies (ie USA / Canada) allowed more patrols and helps the Brits dominate these seas.
The Dockyard has been carefully restored with all the old buildings now fulfilling new roles - but it is very hard not to think you are in a very warm English location when you wander around.
We took time out this morning to walk off the 'fatique' from last nights party and wandered along the hillside paths to Barclays Battery. These are the fortifications that used to protect the harbour entrance from the British enemies of the period.
Again, they've taken time to restore the watch house and the powder store. Here is one of the local sailing yachts exiting through the harbout entry and taken from the front of the Battery. You can see how protected the waters are inside the entry, compared with outside.
And here's a shot of Sue looking at it from the 200 year old ramparts.
We're hoping this arvo to have a visit from Matt and Hanna off Nooka. They too did the ARC but are sailing onward via the Panama to reach New Zealand in a years time, and currently parked up in Jolly Harbour on Antigua's west coast. They are only in their 30's yet plan to take this year off work before shipping the boat back to the UK for resale.
Great eh? That it is possible for some to live these kinds of dreams at such a tender age..........good on em!
Suns up today. More like the weather we'd expect this time of year, and it weill hopefully remain fine for the next week.
Can feel my sunbed calling, so 5 minutes after I finish this will be flat our like a lizard on the foredeck with a book and beer.
Tough stuff. He's a shot of Swagman from Nelson Dockyard jetty.........if you need reminding...........we're the blue hull.
Cheers
JOHN
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