Atlantic crossing

[Kelpie]

A bigger boat will certainly collect more flying fish(cockpits are good at catching them, but so are deep gunwhales etc), which can then be fried and eaten.

I didn't try eating any, they didn't smell very appealing! (Maybe I should have offered them a shower). The boy got some practise filleting though, and they may have increased our catch of mahi as we tried using them as bait.

Why would anyone wear oilskins in the tropics? It's an exercise in futility, get wet then dry off, I took them with me as I didn't know any better but pretty much didn't wear them once south of Finisterre.

Broadly agree, I was probably thinking of the passage to the Canaries where we had some cooker spells overnight. Although we have used the jackets a few times over here- when we first arrived in Guadeloupe it was chucking it down and not especially warm.

 

[Kelpie]

We find for just two of us onboard we have plenty of space and luxury. When we have friends come and stay it feels a bit crowded. We didn't buy the boat for our friends so we are happy that for 99% of the time the boat is perfect for us.

Nobody has ever shown any interest in coming to stay with us. If we're meeting someone, they book accommodation on shore, that way they can still have a nice holiday if we don't end up in the right place at the right time. Why carry around spare cabins 'just in case'?

 

[Kelpie]

On the current 44ft mono we removed the washing machine. Most washing machines seem to be tiny with small load capacity. We didn't want one onboard. We found that a spinner that turns at 2400rpm far more useful. We do our laundry in two big builder buckets in the cockpit every couple of weeks. We can do a lot of laundry efficiently if we are anchored somewhere remote.
We often go to the launderette/ laundry if there is one nearby.
We still have no desire for a washing machine here in the Tropics

Interesting. Opinion seems firmly divided on this one. We know plenty of people with washing machines who would not be without them. SWMBO would like one, but it's pointless without a watermaker so in total a pretty big project.

In Europe we found the self service laundries very easy, fast, and economical. And now in the Caribbean we don't actually wear much, and sleep on a bare sheet so there's very little laundry needing done anyway. The French islands have been fairly easy for finding laundries, but we're expecting it to be harder and/or more expensive further south.

 

[noelex]

I didn't try eating any, they didn't smell very appealing! (Maybe I should have offered them a shower). The boy got some practise filleting though, and they may have increased our catch of mahi as we tried using them as bait.

Flying fish are part of the national dish in Barbados. You see local boats trying to catch them with nets held above the water’s surface.

But I am with you. Having thrown many dead flying fish overboard they do not hold much appeal and we did not try them in Barbados, although I usually like to sample local dishes.

 

[capnsensible]

Flying fish are part of the national dish in Barbados. You see local boats trying to catch them with nets held above the water’s surface.

But I am with you. Having thrown many dead flying fish overboard they do not hold much appeal and we did not try them in Barbados, although I usually like to sample local dishes.

They grow surprisingly large. The awkward ones that stick to the deck 10 seconds after sunrise are generally small. But we have had them almost the length of the saloon table.

Entering Mindelo in the dark a few years ago, we had dozens and dozens of big ones crash all over the deck and cockpit, quite painful if they bash you. Good job we were wearing foulies.

Big enough for the pan. Have eaten them as a proper dish in Barbados, as mentioned and in Antigua. I like. Also as bar snacks, like peanuts in Barbados to get you thirsty so you drink more beer.

Re. Foulies, have often needed them to well into a westerly crossing and within days of starting easterly ones. Especially at night.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Flying fish are part of the national dish in Barbados. You see local boats trying to catch them with nets held above the water’s surface.

But I am with you. Having thrown many dead flying fish overboard they do not hold much appeal and we did not try them in Barbados, although I usually like to sample local dishes.

I had some put in front of me at a table in Barbados, I passed up the opportunity to try them a second time, wouldn't give them to my cat.

 

[capnsensible]

I had some put in front of me at a table in Barbados, I passed up the opportunity to try them a second time, wouldn't give them to my cat.

Barbadans eat them with head, wings and tail attached. So would your cat.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Barbadans eat them with head, wings and tail attached. So would your cat.

Yes I know but I didn't.

 

[capnsensible]

Yes I know but I didn't.

I don't either. But I do like the bigger ones. Kinda like the Andalucian white anchovies I got to know so well.

 

[Wansworth]

Going to be sardine eating time soon in Galicia

 

[capnsensible]

Going to be sardine eating time soon in Galicia

First time I really got to like sardines was in Luarca. Also remembered for the noisiest all night beach party I've ever heard. There are posters here who would have exploded with indignation.

I must say Portugal does good sardine too.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

First time I really got to like sardines was in Luarca. Also remembered for the noisiest all night beach party I've ever heard. There are posters here who would have exploded with indignation.

I must say Portugal does good sardine too.

Fresh like Mackerel are good but tinned in tomato sauce YUK

 

[Wansworth]

16 June day the Carmen patrona. the sailors,always a good spread ,sardines with fresh bread as a plate and vino tintoor blanco

 

[Bajansailor]

I had some put in front of me at a table in Barbados, I passed up the opportunity to try them a second time, wouldn't give them to my cat.

You missed out, big time! @noelex as well.
A hot fresh fried filleted flying fish in a roll with some salad (here it is called a 'cutter') and a Banks beer to wash it down - food for the gods.

 

[john_morris_uk]

You missed out, big time! @noelex as well.
A hot fresh fried filleted flying fish in a roll with some salad (here it is called a 'cutter') and a Banks beer to wash it down - food for the gods.

Indeed. I ate Flying Fish several times in Barbados and it was excellent. Really tasty fish.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Indeed. I are Flying Fish several times in Barbados and it was excellent. Really tasty fish.

Not the greasy unfilled one complete with head and wings that was served up to me, generally apart from Martinique I found Caribbean food disappointing to say the least. It was some time ago so perhaps and hopefully it's changed.

 

[Wansworth]

No need to drift off across the Atlantic,good food especially seafood to be foundin Galicia

 

[Bajansailor]

Not the greasy unfilled one complete with head and wings that was served up to me,

If somebody tried to do this to you in Barbados they should be ashamed of themselves (and be keel-hauled) - Bajans are proud of flying fish, and the many ways of serving it. They are very scarce now - I saw frozen fillets selling in the supermarket recently for BDS$ 5 each.

Here is a wonderful little 'takeaway' - in a traditional wooden fishing boat that is now moored ashore. And his fish cutters are excellent. There are always long queues at lunch time.
Entrepreneur’s northern treat for locals and tourists - Barbados Today

 

[capnsensible]

Not the greasy unfilled one complete with head and wings that was served up to me, generally apart from Martinique I found Caribbean food disappointing to say the least. It was some time ago so perhaps and hopefully it's changed.

I suppose it depends where you go, what type of restaurant, yadda yadda. I've been lucky enough to have visited most of the Windies, some islands lots. Like everywhere else, there is a wide range from indifferent to fab.

A restaurant between English and Falmouth served my crew and I literally the best meal lve ever eaten. Found some awesome rotis in St Lucia. But there has been some bland stuff around too. But there's 1,000's of places, can't do em all!

 

[noelex]

BTW if you call in to Barbados try the restaurant on the water in the marina at Port St Charles. It has terrible reviews, but something has changed because we had a wonderful meal in a stunning location.

Sir Robin Knox Johnson was dining at the next table. The old navy seafarers always know the best spots .

I believe you can now check in there as well. It was closed during covid and only recently reopened.