Awesome Antigua

 After Tot and Jason left we spent the next day putting the boat back together, doing laundry and just getting things back to our normal. That evening we caught up with our friends on Fortitude X who were also staying at the marina. We met them at L'atelier (a beer bar at the marina) for some sundowners and friend time. It was great seeing them after over a year had passed since our last meet up in Panama. 

February 12th, 2026 would be our last day at Bas Du Fort so we took advantage of being in a marina and took a nice long walk, picked up some fresh food and did the last of our boat chores. We were more than ready to be on our way and to be leaving France, again. 

Final Days at Bas Du Fort Marina

Sundowners With Fortitude X 

While we were close to getting out of France we weren't all the way there yet. The next morning at 0922 we left Bas Du Fort Marina and made the 54 mile trip north to Deshaies, Guadeloupe. It is known for being a rolly anchorage but was a good distance between Bas du Fort and Antigua, our next destination. Seas were a bit lumpy at the start 3-4 footers with short periods and 15 knots of wind. Once we rounded the corner from the south towards the north everything laid down in the lee. We arrived at 1604 to a packed anchorage and mooring field. Rolly and crowded my favorite. I was glad we would only be there overnight. We relaxed and enjoyed being free and on the hook again. 

Leaving Bas du Fort

Cruising The Guadaloupe Coast

Deshaies Anchorage

Sunset Deshaies 

At 0755 we were pulling anchor and making our way to Falmouth, Antigua. Today was Valentine's day and always a special day in our house because it's my mom's birthday. Over the years Jeff and I haven't taken it for granted either, always finding a nice place for dinner and tonight would be no different. The passage was sunny and smooth and uneventful. Just what you always want. The 49.5 mile jaunt found us among lots of sailboats also enjoying the weather window. When we pulled into Falmouth harbor it was like something out of a movie. First we had to avoid several expedition racing sailboats who were positioning themselves for a race and then once in the channel we were afforded views of some of the most spectacular vessels we have ever laid eyes on. 300 footers with helipads and tenders the size of our boat. Row after row of enormous boats all enjoying the same place we were about to be. Where were we?

Ready To Race

Entering the Harbor

Big Boys

The Biggest Boy- 300 Foot Mega Yacht  Leviathan

After we caught our mooring ball and our breath we lowered the dink to head to customs and immigration. We got our bearings and noticed the many restaurants surrounding the bay and knew instantly we were going to like it here. The Customs and Immigration offices are in English Harbor a short 5 minute walk from Falmouth, a historic town and harbor and now a UNESCo World Heritage site of Nelson's Dockyard. It's so charming and hard to imagine that Lord Nelson was here. Back on the boat we had a happy hour zoom call with Mom and Dad for Mom's birthday before heading back into English Harbor for our Valentine's dinner at Pillars. When we arrived at Pillars there was a three piece jazz band playing and we were shown to our seats and given a complementary glass of Prosecco for Valentine's Day. They had vegan options for me so I was happy and Jeff got a nice lobster. It was a hectic day but a very nice one. 

Dinner at Pillars 

We woke up pretty hungover from our Valentine's day celebration so we spent the whole day onboard. The advantage of being on a mooring ball or anchored in Falmouth harbor is that it's a nonstop parade of mega yachts coming and going to and from the marina. We sat in the cockpit just in awe of the show. We spent the day just watching and swimming and finally heading to town to get some good Mexican food (which we haven't had since San Diego) to help with the hangover. It was so nice to be able to get a variety of food and not just French or creole food. 

Boat Parade

More Parade 

Not In The Parade But A Pretty Boat

Sunset

The next morning we went slow as we like to soaking up more of the parade while we drank coffee and eased into the day. At some point we realized that we needed some exercise so we lowered the dink and headed into town. We took a nice loop walk which afforded us panoramic views of the anchorage and then picked up some produce on our way back. Being overheated we quickly threw ourselves in the water back at the boat. 

Anchorage From Our Walk

Hey That's Us 

Sunset 

The next several days are what I would call, "wash, rinse and repeat." We had nice slow mornings, watched the parade of mega yachts and then eventually went into town and swam. It was a great routine. We did finally spend some time in Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbor going in and out of the historic buildings and museum learning about the history of where we were. Everything was so well preserved. We met some Seas Sisters at the Pizza restaurant and I had already found my go to afternoon coffee shop where Jeff learned he could get a piece of carrot cake while I had my coffee. We were very well set up here. 

Our Friend's Boat Quinn's Gambit With a Big Boy Behind

The Famous Maltese Falcon 

Walking Around Nelson's Dockyard

Big Boys At Night With Their Aviation Obstruction Lights On

Do you know when things are going so well and you are enjoying yourself so much that you think of nothing else? This is where we were- moored in a boaters paradise with lots to see and do, several friends around to hang with, lots of good restaurants and endless walks to explore. Well that was all about to change. I don't remember if it was before we went to sleep on February 18th or as we woke up on the 19th but our inverter stopped working. Jeff noticed that despite running our generator that once on battery our inverter charger  wasn't working and thus not charging our batteries and they were getting lower and lower. At 0700 I radio'd the Falmouth Harbor Marina telling them that we were having a charging problem and could they possibly get us a slip? Fortunately it was the Dockmaster who responded to my call and without hesitation he said yes proceed in and we will get you tied up. The honeymoon was now over. 

The Dictator Of The Day

Our Little Pooper Docked With Some Big Boys