NOT TOO COMFORTABLE AT TIMES

As we approached Blanquilla from the North we were amazed to see so many tents on the normally totally deserted beaches. We counted 15 Pirogues, with 2 or 3 300 hp engines. Hardly boats for normal fishermen. To our relief there was another yacht moored in our usual place; a delightful young Argentinean couple, who were in their fourth year cruising Venezuela. They too were feeling unsure.

Magic Islands

Flying lessons

 

The Venezuelan Coastguards visited us and they were insistent that we should leave soon. We gathered that they had shot a ‘fisherman’ the previous week. We were beginning to appreciate the comments of the yachties we had met over the season, who were leaving Venezuela for the last time.

As we reached the Roques, we saw only 4 foreign boats and we noticed that none of them were flying their flags. Again the Coastguards boarded us and spent an hour with us. We had fun and they reassured us that the Roques were safe.

We stayed one night in the Aves Sotovento, where the Coastguard asked us to moor within their view and told us they would keep channel 16 on all night in case we needed help.

We left the next morning with mixed feelings and sad to think that some of our favourite and most beautiful Islands might not be so safe anymore.

With relief we reached Bonaire and stayed there a week.

We finally moored in Spanish Waters, Curacao where Scorch will hopefully swing happily for 5 months whilst we are in Europe.