2014
Not too much of a hangover, the Roast Lamb dinner was to die for. We started with aperitifs aboard ‘Piano’ with Jacqui & Ian and continued in Taffies Bar with all the regular team. For a mature bunch of Yachties we certainly had some fun. At 20.00 hours we raised a glass to all in the UK—whom we later heard were having some bad weather. It was also Elizabeths’ ( S/Y Viking Angel) birthday so cake and the birthday song took place. Then dancing until at least 12. No fireworks—apart from a few sparklers -this year but great fun all the same.
New Years Day, we took the tender and walked around Hogg Island with Ian & Jacqui. Most was done barefoot by me at the ground was glutinous mud which proved very slippery. This due to all the overnight rain.
Thursday we did internet and made preparations to sail. After hearing there would be Fish & Chips at Taffies we stayed ‘til Friday to enjoy them. Afterwards a small group sang songs and limed in Clarkes Court Marina Bar.
Up early to store the tender and engine for the short trip to Carriacou. After waiting too long for a squall to pass we tacked only to find that the current was taking us back where we had come from! So a change of plan and we sailed the inside passage to Carriacou. It was mostly to windward but very pleasant and no rain at all.
Anchored safely in Tyrell Bay at 18.10.
After a couple of nights here we sailed again for St Lucia. Yet again upwind , it took almost 20 hours! And as we came into sight of the Pitons we started the engine, minor panic when it didn’t fire first time but with my magic touch it started for me! So we left it running and motor sailed for Rodney Bay. By the time we got there it was dark—so with no depth sounder we anchored farther old than usual. Time for a shower to freshen up and Malcolm found no water being fed through so showers had to wait until the high pressure pump was serviced and repaired. That done I then did two loads of washing and no sooner had I hung it our than it was dry! Meanwhile Malcolm was trying to trace the leak in the generator without success—so I had a look and thought maybe it was from the freshwater pump. We then decided to move into the marina to be near repair men now that we needed Vincent for the Nav instruments, Prudent for the freezer and Alwin for the generator. The new part has been ordered—from the States so should only be a week (good more washing to do ) Meanwhile we wait for Vincent and to reach the top of his list!
Wednesday I was able to join the Womens’ lunch crowd at the Bay Gardens Resort, Deb and Marsha still preside over an exhilarating session of yachting stories and chat.
Thursday we visited Derek & Bridget on the lagoon and they are looking as fit as ever! The weather certainly promotes good health.
So time to sort out the 4 hard drives with films on them. This ended up taking all day ! But I feel reasonably confident that they can now be found. Malcolm decided to service the roller reefing drum on the staysail and found that all bar one of the screws undid easily. The last was not an allen key screw but a regular stainless steel one which had corroded into place. Numerous screwdrivers later it still wasn't free so watch this space. The wind is still blowing but each day more yachts arrive from the south while others leave for Islands North.
Saturday, we went to a Potluck at the Brig Unicorn which is berthed in the boatyard. Attended by 50 couples it was a great success. Good old Coronation Chicken is by far the easiest and quickest dish to prepare for large numbers, but there was no need to have enough for 50! Everyone took a regular sized dish and there was more than enough food to please all. Incidentally the Brig was built originally for the TV series ‘Roots’ and has been more recently used in three of the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ films! It is now refurbished as a hospitality venue where you can lime, have a party, meal, sunset cruise—whatever.
Sunday I bumped into Malachi who was pleased to see me again. He is looking well and introduced me to his latest girl-friend. He wondered if I had heard about the British couple who were attacked by criminals on Friday (?) As it happened I had just heard while at the Potluck and also found it on Facebook too. Here there was a link to the Daily Mail Newspaper so I was able to tell him about it. Naturally we feel awful that it was a British Couple! especially as all the Americans we know say we ought to carry 'a deterrent'.
Either way, the publicity will damage St Lucias reputation as a Cruising area and have a knock on effect for local businesses. On that sad note, I'll go do some baking...
Not too much of a hangover, the Roast Lamb dinner was to die for. We started with aperitifs aboard ‘Piano’ with Jacqui & Ian and continued in Taffies Bar with all the regular team. For a mature bunch of Yachties we certainly had some fun. At 20.00 hours we raised a glass to all in the UK—whom we later heard were having some bad weather. It was also Elizabeths’ ( S/Y Viking Angel) birthday so cake and the birthday song took place. Then dancing until at least 12. No fireworks—apart from a few sparklers -this year but great fun all the same.
New Years Day, we took the tender and walked around Hogg Island with Ian & Jacqui. Most was done barefoot by me at the ground was glutinous mud which proved very slippery. This due to all the overnight rain.
Thursday we did internet and made preparations to sail. After hearing there would be Fish & Chips at Taffies we stayed ‘til Friday to enjoy them. Afterwards a small group sang songs and limed in Clarkes Court Marina Bar.
Up early to store the tender and engine for the short trip to Carriacou. After waiting too long for a squall to pass we tacked only to find that the current was taking us back where we had come from! So a change of plan and we sailed the inside passage to Carriacou. It was mostly to windward but very pleasant and no rain at all.
Anchored safely in Tyrell Bay at 18.10.
After a couple of nights here we sailed again for St Lucia. Yet again upwind , it took almost 20 hours! And as we came into sight of the Pitons we started the engine, minor panic when it didn’t fire first time but with my magic touch it started for me! So we left it running and motor sailed for Rodney Bay. By the time we got there it was dark—so with no depth sounder we anchored farther old than usual. Time for a shower to freshen up and Malcolm found no water being fed through so showers had to wait until the high pressure pump was serviced and repaired. That done I then did two loads of washing and no sooner had I hung it our than it was dry! Meanwhile Malcolm was trying to trace the leak in the generator without success—so I had a look and thought maybe it was from the freshwater pump. We then decided to move into the marina to be near repair men now that we needed Vincent for the Nav instruments, Prudent for the freezer and Alwin for the generator. The new part has been ordered—from the States so should only be a week (good more washing to do ) Meanwhile we wait for Vincent and to reach the top of his list!
Wednesday I was able to join the Womens’ lunch crowd at the Bay Gardens Resort, Deb and Marsha still preside over an exhilarating session of yachting stories and chat.
Thursday we visited Derek & Bridget on the lagoon and they are looking as fit as ever! The weather certainly promotes good health.
So time to sort out the 4 hard drives with films on them. This ended up taking all day ! But I feel reasonably confident that they can now be found. Malcolm decided to service the roller reefing drum on the staysail and found that all bar one of the screws undid easily. The last was not an allen key screw but a regular stainless steel one which had corroded into place. Numerous screwdrivers later it still wasn't free so watch this space. The wind is still blowing but each day more yachts arrive from the south while others leave for Islands North.
Saturday, we went to a Potluck at the Brig Unicorn which is berthed in the boatyard. Attended by 50 couples it was a great success. Good old Coronation Chicken is by far the easiest and quickest dish to prepare for large numbers, but there was no need to have enough for 50! Everyone took a regular sized dish and there was more than enough food to please all. Incidentally the Brig was built originally for the TV series ‘Roots’ and has been more recently used in three of the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ films! It is now refurbished as a hospitality venue where you can lime, have a party, meal, sunset cruise—whatever.
Sunday I bumped into Malachi who was pleased to see me again. He is looking well and introduced me to his latest girl-friend. He wondered if I had heard about the British couple who were attacked by criminals on Friday (?) As it happened I had just heard while at the Potluck and also found it on Facebook too. Here there was a link to the Daily Mail Newspaper so I was able to tell him about it. Naturally we feel awful that it was a British Couple! especially as all the Americans we know say we ought to carry 'a deterrent'.
Either way, the publicity will damage St Lucias reputation as a Cruising area and have a knock on effect for local businesses. On that sad note, I'll go do some baking...
