Trois Islets

Saturday we had Bobby & Jack around for drinks.
Sunday went into town for a dancing display and it didn’t happen so we motored across to Trois Islets after lunch we were reminiscing old friends Jack & Caroline (Flying Fish) when who should motor up….. What a coincidence was that !  They joined us for Sunday dinner and after a long night chewing the cud we decided to hire a car and see the Island with them.
  Monday, after booking a car for the next 3 days, we took a bus to the Coffee & Chocolate Museum.  No-one else was there (it was pouring with rain outside) so we spent quite some time readings though the French ephemera.  I hadn’t realized that both can only grow in the Tropics! (...and in the UK in suitably heated houses)  Coffee certainly grows abundantly and wild here.  Finishing there with a quick look around the fitness center and plant center we than walked a couple of Kilometers to the ‘Poterie’ and Artisans enclave.  Here we were surprised by the originality of the items being made.  We managed to get the same bus driver on the way home who was so impressed that we had trekked in the rain.
  Tuesday, we took Jack & Caroline to the Caravelle Peninsula.  It would have been a spectacular walk if it hadn’t rained from beginning to end!  Even though I had worn waterproofs I was soaked !!!  We all dried out after lunch with a pleasant visit to the Clement Rhum Distillary.  Fortunately the electronic guide spoke English and there was a good mixture of Plants Culture—the original plantation house and tasting. The whole area is a National Heritage site.  Rum is no longer made here but several Km away at a more modern site.  Still they did have plenty for us to taste!

The Wednesday Lunch club

On the way back from the supermarket Deb (Bay Pelican) and Marsha (Crusader) stopped us and said it looked as though I could do with a break, so would I like to join the ladies for lunch at the Bay Garden Hotel? Just let Marsha  know by radio so that she could adjust the numbers, and remember to bring my swimsuit for afterwards.
  So I arranged a lift with Pat and Maria and had a fantastic time! 14 or so ladies from the anchored yachts and those in the marina plus a few who were just out for the season.  Marsha says the faces change each week—apart from the few regulars.  So cocktails and chat first, then sit down to lunch,& more to drink, followed by chilling out in the pool, while the more active decided to learn the quick step and salsa. Danielle (St Lucia Sailing Club) made an announcement about the Commodores Barefoot Ball on Saturday at the St Lucia Sailing Club.  We decided to go at the last minute and were pleased that we did, the food was all home cooked and delicious!  Dancing afterwards and we even got a lift home because the heavens had opened while we were eating.( Many thanks Daphne & David)
Various people have had their boats hauled out this week and some have flown home for the summer so the faces had changed at the Ladies lunch.  I said that I would maybe see them again next year as we were leaving for Martinique the next day(24th Mar).
Yes unbelievably Vincent came back and traced the Engine problem to a faulty lead which was not delivering sufficient power for the starter. He remedied it by putting a relay in which seems to have cured the problem! (the jury is still out until it’s been tested under ‘conditions’)
We completed out final evening by going along to Happy Hour at the H2 '0' bar with Gary and Marie (they have a Lagoon Cat called Mai Tai—named after a cocktail) and then for a meal at the Thai Restaurant.

Second week St Lucia

  Visit by Crescendo out to Pigeon Island (not)*
This is a quaint 44 acre National landmark on the end of Rodney Bay. It has belonged to the St Lucia National Trust since 1983.  The interpretive centre gave a good indication of the tussles which have influenced St Lucia since 200 A.D.
Firstly the Arawak Indians from South America were the first to settle there as implements dating to them are on display, Columbus was ‘ere during his 1492 voyage, the pirate James de Bois used it as a hideout during 1550-54, and then it became a strategic harbour for both France and Britain.  Admiral Rodney claimed it (and St Lucia) after his battle in the 7 years war. Next came the American war of Independence and various other Islands around here were also named after Battles fought off them St Lucia changing hands with each win. After the Napoleonic wars it was seeded to GB. Who hung onto it during WW2 but leased it to the States as a signal post.  St Lucia gained its Independence in 1979.
 There are two small Peaks on Pigeon Island, Malcolm kindly took the pictures from the top of each, I had a good book and the sun so waited while he took his exercise.
  The rest of the week was spent doing ’Piano’ jobs, for which we have to thank Yan again for all his help.  Whenever we have a dilemma we always ask him first since he knows her the best.
We are still trying to solve the problem of the engine not starting every time. I won’t bore you with the details until it is finally sorted!  We have another electrician coming out soon.
 The Aqua-drive –which has been spraying grease inside the prop-shaft area has been given new rubber boots.  Our friend John (aboard Folly) had told us exactly how to do it but had not accounted for the foibles of the old girl. She just didn’t want to give in gracefully! A large hammer finally separated the offending part and once it was all off the job went successfully. (NB there is a niche for a torque wrench with an Allen key attachment I wonder how  they do the job on Golf Cars???)
  My tan is just about done so I’m ready for some adventure/diving/fun.  So it rained today and I started a new tapestry. A grirt big jobby of a sailing boat.  The picture on the box is not the same as the one on the canvas and the wools are for the picture on the front! Hey ho if I don’t have sufficient to complete the picture I may have to undo it and do a pattern instead…..I have also had an idea to do one of ’Piano’ but don’t hold your breath.
Tee hee not an island anymore, because they have filled in the channel separating it from the mainland above which are posh hotels etc!

St Lucia

Passage to St Lucia.
  Two days port to port. One sensor decided to make a noise so it was unplugged for the duration. The 913 was tied up but untied itself and made the usual racket.  Readings have been taken of the engine batteries to determine what ampage 7 voltage is necessary to start the engine.
 Had one night at the marina and then moved to Aisys jetty where we have a peaceful private berth.
  Spoilt yet again by being invited to lunch with the King family we are so lucky with our friends!
  Rob & Deirdre very kindly brought us out a few spares so work has begun aboard fixing items again.  Rob helped Malcolm fix the loo pump which has been giving a slight leak and refashioned the handle for the seacock which has become outsized enough to fail to turn the seacock.

Decided to sail with White Gale over to Martinique for the week end. We got a few pictures of them and vice versa. A fast and pleasant 4 hour sail. We lay at anchor and checked in the following morning. A nice big supermarket meant that we could invite Aizy, Deirdre and Stephen over to dinner—we had fish pie.

Saturday we went for a look around St Anne's, a quiet little village with some local charm.  We saw the most enormous Swordfish being gutted on one of the jetties and I managed to find a new watch strap, the rest of the day was spent on the beach.
We ate ashore at a local bistro that night guests of Stephen (Deirdre's cousin), delicious– thanks a bunch Stephen.
Sailed back to Rodney Bay once again very pleasant so I made bread en passage.