Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year 2012.

We have got to the last day of 2011.

For myself and Zephyr it has been a fantastic year from day one.

I have seen so man beautiful places, and met so many nice people from all over the world.

I am looking forward for 2012 to continue my fantastic life, see many

new places, go by the places I have been, meet many of my friends and get to know new friends.

I wish you all a Happy New Year, with good health and lot of happy times with your family and friends.

Many of you are probably going to a party tonight with your friends and family.

I will be at the beach party here at Marigot Bay and Chateau Mygo.

I am walking there right now.

All the best to all of you.

Bent

Barefoot new years party

Sailtrip to Roney bay Dec 2011

A day cruise to Rodney bay.

The other day I had a drink at Dolittle bar cross over from were I am staying at Chateau Mygo.

There I met  a nice couple from UK. I invited them for a day cruise in my boat,

so next morning we sailed north to Rodney bay.

Anchored and had a bite to eat.

Of course we blessed the anchor with a beer also.

Audrey and Iain

At the bay there was a cruise ship with the name Seaborn Quest

I think my friend Captain Tønis Sørensen has been a captain on that ship.

Christmas days at Chateau Mygo

Christmas days at Chateau mygo.

I have no Christmas tree on board, but at the Chateau Mygo restaurant

they have one. Maybe a little different from what we have at home, but a real tree.

A snowman hanging on the tree, and parrots under the roof.

Zephyr parked at the restaurant.

I am not complaining about the location.

I will hang around Marigot Bay, hoping to get some more trips in the aerea.



Charter St. Lucia to Martinique

Christmas cruise from St.Lucia to Martinique.

I was asked to take a sail trip from the Pitons St. Lucia to Martinique with a young couple

from San Fransisco California, Michael and Nicole.

I sailed by myself the two hours south, from Marigot Bay to the Pitons Friday Dec. 23rd.

Stayed overnight at a mooring bouye close to the Bat Cave mountain.

Petit Piton seen from Zephyr

It was a little rainy, so a nice rainbow show up.

Zephyr at mooring close to the Bat Cave

Next day I went around the corner an got a local lobster fisherman

to pick up Michael and Nicole at the beach hotel they were staying.

Went by motor the 3 hours up north, to Rodney Bay.

We droped anchor in front of the Sandals hotel, and took the dingy

into Rodney Bay marina. 

At night we dingy into a restaurant at Pigon, Jambre de Bois and had

Christmas dinner. Nice rustic restaurant with good live music.

After a morning swim Christmas day morning, we lifted anchor and

sailed north to Martinique.

We decided to enter at a bay just outside Fort de France. I bay 

with name,  Grand Anse de Arlet.

A charmy bay with lot's of boats. We could also do custom

and immigration clearence at the bar Petit Bateau.

Custom and immigration is a 'pain in th ass' on all the islands,

except Martinique and Guadelupe, which is French territory.

It's like comming to France in Europe. Euro currency, EU member,

French licens plate on th cars, and they ONLY speak French.

Grand Anse de Arlet, seen from the beach bar.

Petit Bataeu beach bar and custom clearence.

The best custom office this far.

You can see Zephyr på anchor just to the right of the pier.

Michael and Nicole enjoying the sun and the sail.

It was a wonderful 3 days trip with very lovely people.

Thank you Michael and Nicole. Hope to see you again.

 

Sailing with my lawyer Moksness

Sailing with Ludvig.

My lawyer and friend Ludvig Moksness came sailing with me for 3 weeks.

He flew into Tobago Trinidad two days after the triple RRR's left from there.

We did the same tour again what comes to destinations.

Spent two night at Charlotteville and got some really nice black fin tuna

from the local fishermen. We invited them on board and had a couple shots of rum

with them.

                                                              And some beer I can see

Sailed from Charlotteville to St. George Grenada. Had very little wind, I mean no wind.

Had to motor all the way 18 hours on flat water. Last time with RRR we had

good wind all the way, which is more normal.

Just before leaving Tobago we met a Finish man with name Kimmo.

He asked me to come with us to Tobago Cays, a 5 days trip from Tobago.

Kimmo was a very interesting person. He has spent his all life in South America

managing power plant developments for a Finish company.

On the way to Grenada Ludvig caught a Dorado ( golden mackerel) which he filled

and fried. Tasted fantastic.

Ludvig enjoying the meal.

After letting Kimmo of at Union Island just south of Tobago Cays,

we continued north to Bequia. Stayed there for 4 nights.

I got my front sail repaired and also the sprayhood and lazyjack (=cover for the main sail)

The service at Bequia sail and Canvas was fantastic. I delivered it in the morning, and got it back

in the afternoon. The price was also good I thought. 850 EC$=320 US$ for one day work.

Lifted anchor at 05.30 am heading for Marigot Bay. 60 miles north.

On the way we pass St. Vincent which is one of the many volcano island.

Last big eruption was in 1978 and 1979 from the 1000 meter high volcano.

I have been passing by here many times now, but never seen any activity.

This time we saw smoke/steam coming out 3 places. Exiting.

Smoke on the foot of the volcano.

Just before landing at Marigot Bay, were we had made reservation

at the famous Chateau Mygo restaurant and bar.

Ludvig at the wheel.

At Chateau Mygo we met Doreen and her son Shaid, boyfriend Truls

and the beautiful an nice staff.

Also, at same time as us arrived Truls boat with 3 Norwegians on board.

Stig Hatlo, Hans and Willy.

They had been on a 3 weeks cruise.

When they presented them self, I said to Stig Hatlo that I heard that name somewhere.

Thinking about it closer after getting the ropes tied to the bridge, I said, you sailed on Berge Viking around the world race in 1981. Yes, that was him.

Berge Viking, a 57 foot Swan competed in the witbread around the world. Today it's called

Volvo ocean race. So stig is a legend in the Norwegian sail sport.

We had a great time together the 3 days before they had to fly home.

One day we took a full day tour around the south part of the island.

We stoped at the Volcano hot sping mud bath, and when I say hot, I mean hot.

Supposedly you get 10 years younger.

From left: Hans Ludvig and Stig. The right one we don't know

Next stop for lunch was at the famous LaDera. This is a 5 star luxury hotel

were all room are different and have the own pool and full privacy.

Famous people from all over the world stay here. One of the frequent visitors is Operah Winfrey

Check it out on their web page http://www.ladera.com/

The rooms runs from 5-700 USD a night and up up up.

We had a drink first overlooking the famous Pitons and then lunch.

Willy in red. We all having a Pinecolada drink

This is the view. 2700 feet high.

After lunch we headed for a beach at the south, had a swim and went back to Marigot Bay.

NICE DAY, in good company.

Pictures from the triple RRR cruising the Caribbean.

Here are some pictures from

 Rob, Robin and Rhino.

They took thousens of pictures during the two weeks cruise in the Caribbean.

I like to share some of them with you.  ENJOY....



Rhino playing on my gitar, and singing. He is very good and also

sings in a band back in UK. So he gave us some  good entertaiment.

Robin is full of energy, and was all over the place on the boat.

He also helped repairing several things on the boat.  Thank you Robin.

Robin surfing on Zephyr.

As I said, all over the boat.

But I am just relaxing in the sun.

Robin caught a King fish which he filled and made

a fantastic meal fried sauted in white wine.

Rob and Rhino ready for dropping the anchor.

The boat with the name 'Marsvinet' must be Norwegian.

It's has seen better days, but there was someone living on board.

We saw it at Tyrrel Bay Carriacou.

Let me show you some of the Caribbean sunsets.

Tobago Bequia and return.

The sail cruise with Robin, Rob, Rhino and Anibal.

The triple RRR arrived Tobago Nov. 9th. for a two weeks sail adventure.

Anibal from Venezuela join in for 3 days the 10th.

After doing Immigration and Custom at Scarborough Tobago, we sett took off for the

north of Tobago. One stop at Englishman harbour, and then Charlotteville.

Anibal had to leave us there. But we had a great time together.  Talking about

old days skydiving and common friends.

My 3 British friends took thousands of pictures, and they will mail it to me ( not all I hope) when they are home. I did manage to download pictures from Robin, so here they are.

Rhino checking his camera.

Robin enjoying the sun.

And Rob also.

We sailed directly from Charlotteville Tobago to Grenada an St. George.

After 13 hours sailing during the night, we arrived Port Louis marina in down town

St. George at 06.30 in the morning the 14th. of Nov.

Port Louis I have been before, and it is an exclusive marina with

fantastic shower facilities, and swimming pool with bar and restaurant.

From Grenada we sailed out the day after towards Carriacou island just north

of Grenada. The trip took a little longer than expected, so we arrived at 8.30 pm at night.

In total darkness we motored slalom between about 250 boats. All the way to the inside at the beach,

were we anchored. Jude from UK lives here, so we had planned to have supper at her house.

We got Internet connection at the anchorage, so we mailed her and said we didn't dear

to leave the boat right away because of the tight anchorage.

So we agreed on brunch next day at 10 am.

Jude in front of her house

After an fantastic English brunch we headed for Union Island and Clifton.

Checked out of Immigration and Custom at Carriacou, and in at Clifton.

(Lot's of in and out checking here in the Caribbean)

Stayed one night there, went to Happy Island for rum punch before we went

to Tobago Cays only 4 miles north. (Tobago Cays has nothing to do with Tobago except the name)

Rob at the wheel.

Spent one night at Tobago Cays, Snorkeled at the turtle farm, and we all saw turtles and colour full fishes. At night we went for the Lobster BBQ at the beach. GREAT as the other times I been there.

Next morning we took the dingy out to the outside reef to snorkel.

This is a national park, and it is fantastic beautiful under and above water.

We dicided to sail back to Carriacou for a Friday Steel Pan Band Concert which Jude had told us about.

Only 12 miles, so we got there in 2,5 hours.

The band was very good, and with alot of other yachties we had a great time.

Pictures comes later. Lot's of pictures.

Next day we sailed directly to Bequia, about 30 miles, witch we made in 6 hours.

The party had been good, so we needed a rest.

But not Robin. He was high and low.

I promise to get back with more pictures when I receive it.

The guys went back home yesterday. To the cold, the cold rain and possible snow.

Poor guys.

My friend Ludvig is coming in tomorrow for 3 weeks sailing, so up north again Zephyr goes.





Trinidad Tobago

Some picture from Zephyr on the hard.

Here are some picture from when I got the underside sanded down to gelcoat, and fixing the sikaflex around all cabin windows.

This is Lorenze doing the sanding.

Zephyr on the 'hard'

Pascal doing the windows.



I will tell you more after we all get going.

Zephyr leaving Trinidad.

Finally I got the ropes on board and headed for Tobago.

70 sea miles north. We made it  in 11 hours with the help of the motor.

Going north from Trinidad means you are going against the current, which can be 1-4 knots, and the wind, and the sea coming from north east.

So, me and a friend with name David took off Saturday from the marina in Chaguaramas and motored out to Scotland Bay one hour.

We anchored there, and started next morning at 05.00 am.

We had a wonderful sail up the coast of Trinidad, to the very north, and then crossed over to south Tobago Store Bay.

This is were the airport is, so it is very convenient to meet Rob, Robin and Rhino from UK here Wednesday Nov. 9th.

Anibal from Venezuela is arriving the day after, and then we head north to Charlotteville the very north of Tobago.

We are all skydiving friends from WAY BACK, so it will be a lot to talk about, and enjoy the sailing in the Caribbean.

Anibal will only stay 3 days, before he fly back to Caracas.

The RRR are staying with me for 2 weeks.

(David has bought a 51 feet Jeanneau in Chaguaramas, and are working on it to get it ready to sail to Houston Texas. He has been on the dusty yard for two months, so he just wanted to get out sailing for a couple days.)

David at the wheel.

I will tell you more after we all get going.

Zephyr is back in the water

Zephyr is back on the water.

After two weeks work, Zephyr is back in the water. She has been sanded all down under,

got epoxy primer one time and 4 times red antifaul bottom paint.

She has been polished, and the teak deck and cockpit is looking like new.

Front sail has been repaired and looked after all the way, and the motor new oil.

Zephyr is ready to sail the Caribbean islands for new advetures.

New sail plan.

The sail plan has been changed from going west to Margarita Island Venezuela,

Bonier, Curacau and Aruba, to go north to Tobago

3 of the crew I was counting on from September, has not been able to come.

The security is not so good anymore  at Margarita Island, so many boats do not go there longer.

But Tobago is a beautiful island. Belongs to Trinidad, but is much more relaxed and slow.

Tobago is only 70 NM north east of Chaguaramas Trinidad ( Where Zephyr and me are now)

Tobago has many beautiful bays to anchor with white sand beaches, palm trees and tiki bars.

Also smal sandy islands with no tiki bar

The snorkling and scuba diving is one of the best in the world, and you can see

almost all kind of creatures. Turtles Seahorse etc. etc.

Escape from the cold and snow.

And come sailing with Zephyr to most of the Caribbean islands.

25-30 degrees in the air and 27 in the crystal clear water.

I usually say in the morning that I am taking a swim in my own world biggest swimming pool.

I am by myself on the boat so there are two double berth cabins free.

Contact me on my e-mail: bent.nordmann@gmail.com

More stories to come.  

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Sailplan for Zephyr 2011

Hello again friends. For the moment I am enjoying the Scandinavian summer.

The weather has been a mix of rain and sun.

NOW it is sun and 25 degrees C. so it is nice to move outside in T-shirt and short pants.

Well, I have a sailplan from September and out 2011.
I am planning to spend the hurrican season down south, around Margarita and the ABC islands.
( ABC= Aruba Bonaire Curacao)
The hurrican season normaly last until the end of November.
How much time we will spend on each island, will be up to the crew and captain to decide.
But I am sure it will not be hard to ´kill´ a couple months here.
So after that, I will head up north towards Puerto Rico (USA) probably,
and then sail south from island to island.

The sailplan looks like this:

From Trinidad we sail to Margarita Island. We start going up north towards Grenada, and thern turn

to south/west towards Margarita island.

Margarita island is a part of Venezuela, and is a very popular Holiday island.

Here are some pictures I down loaded from internet.

To see more, Google on `margarita island`

Not the worst place for a umbrella drink?

Margarita is a pretty big island ( 2,5 mil people)
And have some beautiful beaches and the rest of what comes into a perfect Holiday.
I have some friends that have been there  2-3 times.