100 Miles Changes the World.........
As Kirstin hasn't given up her dream of getting to Monserrat, we've doubled back from Marie Galante and headed north to Antigua. The sail was breath-taking, with L'ORIENT averaging almost 6 knots and frequently blasting through the northerly swell at 8.2 knots.
What a difference 100 miles makes..........we arrived in Falmouth and are now surrounded by Brits (oddly, very few Yanks here as well). It's funny how different two islands this close together can be. The French on Marie Galante were so engaging (as soon as we busted out our restaurant-French.........Je voudrais autre vin blanc) Some context here is appropriate......unlike remote Marie Galante, Antigua is a high-end yachting mecca. There is a classic boat regatta in April, and Falmouth is quickly filling up with yachts 5-times larger that L'ORIENT. We arrived a bit tired and hungry and hit a wine bar (closest thing to customs and immigration) run by a British woman about my age. Other than my bro-hair (now out of control), we didn't look that bad. This British woman, however, was having none of us. "So sorry........the kitchen seems to be closed, doesn't it ?" I've always wondered why Brits give an answer then follow it with the question it related to. Some day I'm going to pull a Dirty Harry move.......pull out a 44 magnum and say......."No, ma'am..........I think it's open...........don't you ?"
Anyway, only after she figured out we arrived on our own boat did she loosen up and provided us with a nice Voignier. The Brits here (and many other places) have a pre-occupation with filing people away into the classes the belong in......both socially and economically. As we walked away (but still within earshot) I said to Kirstin "hopefully no-one will recognize us here". She spun and did a double take.
Anyway, we're doing several days of boat maintenance and sampling the restaurants. But now we're clear on how to get good service.........."Yes, table for 2.........Vanderbilt......V-A-N-D-E-R-B-I-L-T.....and please, a table that's a bit private would be appreciated".
What a difference 100 miles makes..........we arrived in Falmouth and are now surrounded by Brits (oddly, very few Yanks here as well). It's funny how different two islands this close together can be. The French on Marie Galante were so engaging (as soon as we busted out our restaurant-French.........Je voudrais autre vin blanc) Some context here is appropriate......unlike remote Marie Galante, Antigua is a high-end yachting mecca. There is a classic boat regatta in April, and Falmouth is quickly filling up with yachts 5-times larger that L'ORIENT. We arrived a bit tired and hungry and hit a wine bar (closest thing to customs and immigration) run by a British woman about my age. Other than my bro-hair (now out of control), we didn't look that bad. This British woman, however, was having none of us. "So sorry........the kitchen seems to be closed, doesn't it ?" I've always wondered why Brits give an answer then follow it with the question it related to. Some day I'm going to pull a Dirty Harry move.......pull out a 44 magnum and say......."No, ma'am..........I think it's open...........don't you ?"
Anyway, only after she figured out we arrived on our own boat did she loosen up and provided us with a nice Voignier. The Brits here (and many other places) have a pre-occupation with filing people away into the classes the belong in......both socially and economically. As we walked away (but still within earshot) I said to Kirstin "hopefully no-one will recognize us here". She spun and did a double take.
Anyway, we're doing several days of boat maintenance and sampling the restaurants. But now we're clear on how to get good service.........."Yes, table for 2.........Vanderbilt......V-A-N-D-E-R-B-I-L-T.....and please, a table that's a bit private would be appreciated".