1/5/26-Trunk Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVI

Sunny calm morning for coffee and sun salutations. We departed early, 0830, heading for a more protected anchorage. As we were heading north, we saw Bezo’s toy box at anchor in the channel and his sailing yacht coming in from the west. We motored around the north end of Virgin Gorda and followed the markers into Gorda Sound. We dropped the hook in 35’ of murky water off of Prickly Pear Island near the Bitter End.

Bezo's toy box

Bezo's Kuru

The wind had taken its toll on my American Flag but a stitch in time saves nine. I made like Betsy Ross and stitched up flag. Next on the list was to reaffix the Raffaellesco name plate on the dinghy, it had nearly come off completely. About the time my glue was on and setting up it decided to rain. I protected it as best I could by covering it with my body. The rain subsided enough for me to finish my repair, hope it holds.

The rain was unpredicted and lasted most of the day, a good excuse to close the boat up and turn on the AC.

1/6/26-Prickley Pear Island, BVI

When we woke up in the morning it was once again clear and sunny. I felt like we had drug anchor a bit so I turned on the instruments and confirmed we had moved from our original spot. We pulled anchor and moved further east into shallower water, about 20’ deep. The wind had shifted to Northeast keeping us off the island.

Always entertaining to see the ebb and flow of the boats, they were streaming in today. Bezo’s boat came in as well and anchored across the bay. We went exploring in the dinghy, first the Bitter End Yacht Club then the Sand Box. The Bitter End Yacht Club has been here for a very long time. After Irma it was completely rebuilt into a high end resort, I prefer the old crustier Bitter End. They did a nice job with the architecture, but everything is wildly expensive.

A Conch tree, who knew

Bungalows at the Bitter End

Boat bar

The Sand Box

We moved on to the Sand Box, a very beachy bar restaurant with beach chairs and a volleyball court. The small cruise ship in the harbor was just wrapping up a shore party for their guests.

Back on the boat it was hot and sunny, time for a refreshing swim. Not to be too idle we set about sizing up a canopy to run the length of the boom and to cover the fore deck. We laid it out with string tied in place to mimic the outline of the proposed canopy. We have seen several boats with such a canopy giving shade to the whole boat and allowing the hatches to remain open in the short rain showers. Now I need to shop for fabric and stitch it up using white rip stop nylon…I think.

After dinner we took a nap in preparation for our BWCC board meeting at 2200. The first meeting of the New Year, lots to cover.

1/7/26-Prickley Pear Island, BVI

A great night of sleep, a nice breeze to keep us cool and a calm sea. Sunshine and calm for the morning. We got underway at about 0930 and headed North to Anegada. Anegada is more of an atoll than an island. The peak elevation is 28’. This was a 12 mile run, the longest passage so far in the Caribbean. There are only two designated anchorages due to the extensive coral reefs around the Island. The main anchorage is too shallow for us, we headed to the west end and anchored in 15’ of water.

We jumped in for a snorkel to check the anchor but there was no visibility. The sky was clear even if the water was not, so we went for a dinghy ride to explore the reef and the beach. There is a restaurant here that serves lobster. Evidently Anegada lobster is supposed to be excellent and a must have. On the way back to the boat, we stopped to say hello to our new boat neighbors. Turns out they were from Denmark…how embarrassing to be an American sometimes.

10/8/26-West End, Anegada, BVI

It was a rollie night; we were happy to get off the boat and go for a long morning walk on the beach. We walked east to the main anchorage where we found a few more restaurants but not much else. The beach sand was super fine; your feet would sink right in.

Pine trees in the salt water

Flotsam jetsam art

We decided against staying another night, too much wave action here. Anegada lobster will have to wait. We set up the code zero and had a great sail south back to Gorda Sound. This time we anchored in Laverick Bay at the west end of the sound. We found about 15’ of water just west of the mooring field.

Deck fluff

We dinghied in to visit the little resort on the bay. It was similar to the Bitter End with a few shops, a bar and a restaurant. We enjoyed a cocktail at the bar on the beach, nice shade and a cooling breeze. When we returned to the dinghy it was not there. The cable and lock were dangling in the water but no dinghy. We quickly realized it had floated free and was bobbing against the rocks just a few yards away. In the process of climbing down the rocks one of the rocks gave way and I was in the water. Fortunately, I landed on my feet and it was only knee deep. No harm, just wounded pride. We saddled up and made our way back to the boat. As far as I know there were no pictures taken. I usually check the knot that the Admiral ties when attaching the dinghy to the dock, but I failed to check her cable attachment job, and it failed…

After dinner the sky was amazingly clear and full of stars. We sat with a cocktail on the foredeck and watched the stars and the satellites flying by. It was a very quiet night.

1/9/26-Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVI

Up with the sun, clear with a nice breeze. We dinghied out to the reef at the entrance to the sound and anchored the dinghy for a snorkel on the reef. The visibility was good but not much to see. We were off of Moskito Island, Moskito Indians not mosquitos. The Island is private and I believe it is owned by Branson. There were a number of beautiful homes on the island. We dinghied to the outside of the reef and the island, some beautiful properties.

Back on the boat I worked on servicing the windlass, tore it down and gave it a good cleaning. My ulterior motive was to determine which gipsy we had on our Lewmar V4 windlass. I want to replace my chain with a longer chain and possibly stainless Steel. The existing chain has endured its fair share of rocks, and the galvanizing is well worn, lots of rust already.

1/10/26-Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVI

Sunny with a good breeze making for a very comfortable morning. We got underway about 0930 and motored around the point to Savannah Bay. The bay is a bit tricky as you need to negotiate the coral heads at the entrance to find deeper water between the shore and the reef. We anchored in 17’ of clear water on a beautifully rippling bed of sand. We landed with our stern just off of the reef making it an easy snorkel. Diving the anchor, it was well dug in with two sting rays standing guard.

We snorkeled the closest reef and found good visibility, lots of fish and a lot of abandon anchor chain. It was the first time for using my underwater camera on this trip! No sun and no flash so the pics are not great, and I am out of practice.

Iridescent Blue fish hiding in the rocks

The anchorage was very rollie despite the weather report. On top of the rolling someone parked on the beach at about 2000 and decided to serenade the anchorage with their music. I was envious of their sound system but between the boat rocking and the noise from the beach I was looking for my potato gun!

12/11/26-Savanah Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVI

Up before the sun and tired of rolling. As soon as the sun rose, we were underway and negotiating the reef. The sun was up and it was another great day. We headed to St Thomas Bay outside of Spanish Town. It was time to clean up the boat and put it away for a couple weeks for a visit home. The anchorage was good and we got a lot accomplished before heading into Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor where Raffaellesco would stay for a couple weeks while we traveled home.

In the marina

We did a good job docking, the very expensive Oyster on our starboard side was extra motivation. The work continued but we did not last long. A real shower, not a swim step shower, and a green dinner before nodding off for lack of sleep.

1/12/26-Vrigin Gorda Yacht Harbor, Virgin Gorda BVI

Happy Birthday to us! Refreshed from a good night’s sleep, it was time to get to work cleaning and packing to leave. It was a mini decommission, mainly securing the boat and putting things away from tempted eyes. We walked to a hardware store for some desiccant. It was more of a home store and Suzette found a set of dishes that she loved. Guess what she got for her Birthday?

In the evening, we walked to Coco Mayo for dinner and dancing. The fair was Asian fusion, and it was delicious. We had a front row seat on the water for sunset. After dinner we played a little jingo in the sand box and met a group of guys off of a catamaran parked on our dock. We did some dancing; one the guys could really cut a rug and Suzette was accommodating. We hitched a ride home with them at the end of the night.

1/13/26-Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor, Virgin Gorda, BVI

We were up with the sun and off to the Brew House for espresso drinks. A few last minute chores and we were off to the ferry with only one piece of luggage in tow. We purged all of the Mediterranean Cruising guides and the last of the warm clothes giving us an overweight bag. The ferry was right on time and delivered us to Trellis Bay, the Tortola Airport is there.

Our rooster friend joining us for coffee

With time to kill we ordered up a pizza at the Trellis Bay Market, this would need to satisfy us for a while, no food on the flight. We met a couple at the restaurant that were heading home to Kentucky, they are farmers. It was interesting to hear about their farm and their industry.

We walked to the terminal and checked in, no waiting in line, very quiet on a Tuesday afternoon. The flights were reasonably on time. We flew through customs and immigration in Miami, again no crowds. We flew to LAX for a change. The flight was uneventful and LAX was not crowded. Grabbed our luggage and an Uber, home by 2000. The house was in good shape and we were not the only house on the black that still had their Christmas lights up and tree still displayed.