Antigua and Barbuda

A guest blogger, Max Vines, condenses our first two weeks in Antigua and Barbuda


Jeremy and Max with the Masons and Tomia in Antigua

We flew into Antigua from Gatwick on Easter Saturday
to be met by Celia and Anthony at Falmouth Harbour for our fortnight of play

Through Customs we brought some marmite, and Easter eggs to supply
together with The Times, Spectator and Private Eye

Once on board Tomia we were shown the ropes
that we would make decent crew they clearly had high hopes

Our first week was to be filled with the Oyster Regatta
with strong winds forcast we wished we were fitter and fatter

Our first task was to scrub Tomia’s bottom
and with every barnacle we all shrieked Gottam!

From Harbours Falmouth to English we then had to move to meet
the rest of the illustrious Oyster fleet

For the Concord d’Elegance Tomia we all had to prepare
scrubbing, rubbing and polishing we took supreme care

We were placed on the pontoon right at the end of the line
being the smallest and oldest we were maybe thought not to be so fine

There were gleaming Oysters 56’s and 82’s
along the dockside with their equally matching crews

The event was opened with the Oyster Reception and Skippers briefing
rum punch and the Tot Club it was a fun filled greeting

Tuesday at ten saw us on the line for the start of race one
20 knots and long beating legs but where did we come?

And so the racing went on all week
ending each day on a stunning different beach

The bays were beautiful, the hotels were smart
as we enjoying our dining before the band was due to start

Racing ended on Saturday at St James’ Club
for dinner, prize giving and friendly hubbub


Farewells were made and see you next year
our 3rd place in class filled us with good cheer

On Sunday Antigua Classic Week had started
so we went out to watch the racing before we departed

J’s Valsheda and Ranger looked quite splendid as they gracefully tacked
having first left their genoa’s well abacked

Eleonora the most elegant schooner racing like a boss
when Oh Dear her mainsail ripped right across

We then set sail on our voyage to Barbuda
passed Jolly Harbour, fishing line out, we hooked a barracuda

On our island paradise we stayed for 3 days
and to pass the time we found many ways

Snorkling, pink sand and sunsets and we enjoyed
and various culinary techniques we employed

Celia and Anthony made wonderful hosts
exploring as we did Antigua’s coasts

So we’d like to say a hearty thank you one and all
for making our stay with you such a ball.