The Classic Boat, Cowes, Eilean and Antigua

Ever since hearing time and time again, that with Antigua being the sailing capital of the Caribbean, and Cowes, being I guess the sailing centre of England, that it would work really well, if the two were twinned together, I've had this interest in visiting Cowes.

Well, I finally made it out to Cowes, Isle of Wight, for the British Classic Yacht Week, and look what I saw  - the Antigua and Barbuda flag, flying high!! . Okay, that wasn't really a surprise, but I was surprised to see the dates for Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta  on display at the entrance to the Cowes Yacht Haven, as well as to find all the magazines strewn about showcasing Nelson's Dockyard and English Harbour, which is thee sailing hotspot in Antigua. 

Being in Cowes for a week, how could I not go sailing.  So, I hoped on board the 'Atlantis', and sailed off into the sunshine...until it started to rain.   That day goes on my list of top ten exciting moments in 2012.  There was some intense action, on board that vessel, and as the hail stones (yes hail stones) fell from the sky, and the menacing rain clouds sent forth buckets of rain on a summer day in July, the captain, shouted commands at the crew, who were busy tacking and all other  manners of sailing terms, while I looked on in awe. 2 hours later I thought to myself while shivering in my waterproofs, listening to the thunder and shifting positions back and forth to prevent the rain from slapping me in the face that this was pretty awesome, and I would like to probably try it again, but in sunny Antigua. 

And do you know, quite a few of those boats, actually did do it in Antigua.  The most famous of them being Eilean who was out and about competing in Cowes.  Yes, I learnt all about Eilean, who is basically a boat with serious celebrity status.  Eilean, was made famous in the Duran, Duran video Rio, shot in Antigua in 1982.  Eilean just returned from the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, for the 30th anniversary of that video.  Eilean, Eilean, Eilean.  Every where I went I heard about Eilean.  People, Eilean has her own website, so if you are interested take a glance at her lines and history.  Check her  out in the video also...So I caught the Eilean bug,and took a picture of her from a distance, and even one with her crew.

a quick shot of Eilean :)

Side note: I took a day and explored bits of Southampton. Did you know the Titanic started her maiden voyage here in 1912! Interesting to think of the people who walked the same path I walked.