May 27: Norman Island to Cooper Island. We were hoping for a spirited sail up the SFD Channel.......King Neptune is about to oblige.

09:00 am. We need a good day of sailing . Priority is to get up to Cooper before all their first come first served moorings are taken.
We are getting an early start from Norman. Sail plan is a single reef in the main and a lapper sized 110% jib.. Sails are set before leaving the Bight.

The skies are gray, and we are passing the Indians when WHAMMMOOOO !

Yahoooo ! Strong winds and pelting rain. Visibility is low, and add large seas that are building fast. The wind direction is such that we will be close hauled to a close reach and tacking
up the SFD channel . We love it ! Vibeke is a well found boat , and we are already prepared with the reef and small jib sail.

After three tacks , we are hit with stronger winds, and lower visibility. The rain is horrizontal. Even with the dodger and strong bimini top, we are soaking wet getting a fresh water wash down of us,
and Vibeke's topsides. No worries, this is good as we are saving the precious water from our boat tanks. " To and fro ", our dinghy, has filled up with a mix of rain and salt water spray. We will
bail her out later at Cooper.

Approaching Cooper and entering Machioneel Bay, we snug into the protection of Quart of Nancy Point ( there must be a good story on how that name came to be ) and roll in the jib and bring
down the main. Inside in the lee of Machioneel Bay, it was much, much calmer than outside . We prepare out double bridles and bring the dink fast to the stern quarter. Good news, we can
pick up an easy mooring, and all is well.

The conditions are calming down, and the squalls are headed some place else, so after securing and making up all running rigging lines, and tying of the halyard away from the mast, and
bailing out the dinghy, we head in to the Cooper Island Beach Club. Cooper is one of our faves, always good and friendly vibes. We met and talked story with Jason the bartender
and also Capt. Neil, and his charter party. The BVI tends to sprout good , friendly people and we like that. Lot's of good feelings and talk story.

Later, we dinked back to Vibeke, an took hot showers and got into some dry clothes as the few hour storm passed over , and no longer a factor. We headed ashore for dinner. Our table was
at the railing, overlooking the beach, and perfect for the sunset and island views . No more rain, and we did not have any lightning or thunder. Lucked out on that one.
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May 28 Time to head back to Peter Island and the Willy'T for our last 'on board the boat ' evening. What can we say, there was plenty of lively action, dancing and singing, ski shots, leaping
off the overhead deck, and friendly interaction with the patrons of all ages. Things calmed down after several day boats departed, and we stepped down from the bar into the galley deck for
dinner.

The excitement meter is falling, life is slowing up, and this has been one fantastic , active, positive fun filled two weeks of sailing and , yep partying, in the BVI.
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May 29: Returning to Conch Charters.

Ben gave us our post sailing check -in , easy and no problems. We used 8 gals of fuel and put 20 hrs of time on the engine . We also had cleaned the vessel, below and topside, shook out
the reef, and made up and coiled all running rigging. removed the trash, and bagged the linens. It is our way, to show respect for not only the vessel, but to help out the Conch dock crew
to get Vibeke ready for the next charter.

Towing our two duffels down the Conch docks, we did not want to let go and just walk away. This BVI trip, after 35 years may be the best, and perhaps the very last. We do not know for sure.

Honestly, we just could not let go. Erica and I strolled next door to the Pub, which is on the docks overlooking the Conch Fleet .

Sitting up at the bar, we ordered two parting Carib beers with limes. ( each)

We toasted to the brave and strong people of the BVI, and their miraculous recovery from the Cat 5 Hurricane Irma. We toasted to Vibeke and to Conch Charters, and to our many wonderful
years of sailing these marvelous islands.

We toasted to the Conch Crew, Ian, Bobbie, Ben, Jay, and Janice.

We toasted to all of the new friends that we met .

And lastly, we toasted to ourselves , and we ran out beer.

We quietly walked back over to the Conch Office, said good bye, and wheeled our duffels out to the gravel parking lot to the taxi.

Bless you BVI, you have been part of our hearts and thoughts for many, many years.

Also, a huge THANK YOU to this super great Travel Talk forum, and all the help you have been that assisted us in our planning of this, the best sailing vacation , ever.

Fair winds, and following seas

Friendship is precious cargo.

Denny and Erica