A Tale of Two Chemists: Flamingos and Fireworks

Flamingos and Fireworks

Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th February, 2025

On Monday, after a relaxing start, we set sail for Norman’s Cay. Initially on a beam reach we approached the west end of Tortola. Sneaking through Thatch Cut, we needed a little “iron Wind” to get safely past Little Thatch and Frenchman’s Cay. We beat our way eastward to the end of St. John (with the rail in the water at times). After what seemed like a long time of clinging to the bars supporting the bimini, we approached the anchorage on Norman’s Cay. We picked up a mooring ball in “The Bight” and relaxed over lunch. As we watched other boats arriving, I noticed that most people having secured their vessel, immediately went swimming. In contrast, we immediately sat down to lunch! After lunch, we launched the dinghy and set off to snorkel on the west side of Treasure Point where there are a few “caves”. Personally, I wasn’t brave enough to go very far into the narrow cave, as there was a noticeable swell that wanted to push me into the rock walls. Mike, being bolder, went right to the end and spotted a school of fish he hadn’t seen before (Glassy Sweepers). After showering we relaxed, enjoyed the sunset and ate a lovely dinner. Thankfully, no boats bumped into us during the night!

On Tuesday, we tried to make an earlier start for the trip to Virgin Gorda. We had dropped the mooring and had the mainsail hoisted by nine o’clock. As we had suspected, the wind was funneling down the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Our course was too tight to the wind to actually sail, our friend Mr. Yanmar helped us make way to the northeast. It turned out to be a fairly bumpy ride, directly into the waves as well as the wind. We approached the entrance to Gorda Sound with some trepidation, as there seemed a lot of breaking water and some obvious shoals. Once inside, we were shocked at the number boats inside the sound. We were very pleased to be able to pick up a mooring off Saba Rock. While we had visited Virgin Gorda in 2017, we had anchored in a different area, and every structure around the Sound had been obliterated by hurricane Irma. It is very different today. From our mooring, the view is out to the open ocean and reminds me of Tobago Cays. It is gorgeous. Naturally, it started to rain shortly after lunch. Undeterred we took the dinghy to shore for a short walk on the beach. Then we motored over to the bar on Saba Rock for a few drinks. It was quite the swanky location, we thought we were looking very much like salty dogs but our dollars seemed welcome despite that. As we were waiting for Mike to bring the dinghy round to the ladder, I happened to look up and saw three flamingos flying over head. I shouted out loudly like an over excited child (how could you not?). As we motored back to Cotinga, we saw two or three larger flocks on the wing, perhaps a total of twenty flamingos. What an experience!

Michael prepared another excellent dinner (chicken fajitas) which we all enjoyed. Just as Louise announced that she was off to bed, the first firework exploded in the night sky. We were treated to a display that would have made many a municipality proud on the 4th of July. Our assumption is that we were enjoying the largesse of Richard Branson whose Necker Island is nearby. It seemed like an amazing end to a special day.

Gloria

18 30.206 N, 64 21.619 W