Cooper Island to North Sound, Virgin Gorda

We leave Cooper Island and head for The Dogs for the guests to do some more snorkelling.  I can never work out why these lumps of uninhabited rocks were named the way there are.  There are no packs of dogs roaming free, and as far as I can tell, the islands do not resemble any type of dog I have ever seen, which ever angle you view them from.  Still, it’s more inventive than the Little Harbours, Great Harbours and White Bays etc that most of the islands seems to have.

Anyway, I digress.  On the way, Reid, fishes as usual, but this time doesn’t catch anything.  The stop at The Dogs is disappointing, as the water is slightly churned up still and there are lots of small jellyfish around.

 Photo:  Snorkelling at The Dogs

We carry on up to North Sound and Mike motors around the whole area to give the guests a view of the four resorts; Saba Rock Resort, Bitter End Yacht Club, Biras Creek and Leverick Bay.  We anchor off the beach at Prickley Pear for lunch.

After lunch the guests go ashore to the Sandbox bar but are driven back to the boat by the unexpected number of noseeums and sandflies.  Also, as they are the only people on the beach, there is no real atmosphere in the bar, and no music, so different to the last time we were there, but this is low season.

We motor over to Leverick Bay, heading for our favourite spot at Mooney Bay.  Just as we go through the mooring field, we get a bite on the fishing line and Mike pulls in a large barracuda, complete with razor sharp teeth.  You do not want to eat one of those, and they will try to get your hand off as you attempt to remove the barb but you can’t just leave it on the line so  Reid valiantly goes to do what he can just as the barracuda gives one huge tug and bites completely through the line, taking the lucky lure that Kev gave us with him.

The afternoon is overcast and thundery looking, and so hot and humid that everyone just lazes around the boat until the temperature cools down enough to make having a shower worthwhile.

We have an early dinner of Pan Seared Tiger Prawns with Swahili Sauce and Pasta, then Mike takes the guests over to the Friday night Leverick Bay party while I shower then prepare tomorrow’s food.

When I eventually join the party, all the usual suspects are there;  Nick and Monica obviously, exhausted by the preparations for the Poker Run on Sunday, but still going strong; Rick and Kim from Sophisticated Lady, a crowd of staff from Necker Island and boatfuls of others, all over in Leverick Bay for the 3-day holiday weekend and the Poker Run.  The marina is full;  51 boats have booked in and about another 50 or so are due in tomorrow and more on Sunday.

Monica’s sister and niece, Linda and Kaya, put on a spectacular flame swirling display that they are learned in Africa, then the Mocko Jumbies arrive on their stilts.  Unfortunately one poor guy falls, which, from that height, must be painful, but after a short rest, gets back up and joined in the party.  The live band gets everyone dancing and the drinks flow.  I stop at two bushwackers – I have learned my lesson – for now!

Photo:  Gina, Lauren, Myself and Mike at the Leverick Bay Friday night party

On the way back at the boat, we wander up through the marina.  The Puerto Ricans turn up in force for the Poker Run and many are already here in their fast speedboats, their blue underwater lights shining and illuminating the huge tarpons and barracudas swimming around.  Their music blasts out of huge speakers, their particular brand of Latino rap called Reggaeton.  When we get back to Jeannius, luckily, we discover that we are too far away to hear it as I am sure it goes on into the middle of the night.