Most of February into March.2014

   This week we find that the new water-pump is at customs with the wrong yacht name on it! By Thursday they have sorted it out and Alwin has fitted it.  A minor cleaning to the wires which caused it to cut out after a minute or so and it was working as good as usual.
  Vincent made a social call and fixed the Nav instrument problems yes another loose screw was all that needed tightening. Is he a whizz or wot?

  Meantime I had the bimini roof repaired by Harry (one of Vincents’ drinking buddies) so that should last until it can be serviced in Trinidad. Now that all the niggely little jobs are done we move back into Rodney Harbour Bay.  We hear of the Diamond Rock Race on the 1st of February and before I could blink Malcolm had popped over to see Derek and asked him if he would like to sail it with us.  So we moved onto his jetty and slipped at 07.30.  We even had full sails up.

  We passed a First and flew to Diamond Rock! In just over three hours, passing two other yachts on the way.  We were third over the line –and incidentally third on handicap in the race !

This is Derek, he helmed most for most of the race while Malcolm trimmed the sails and I delivered his hourly shot of ‘Piton’ larger.  Derek has many years of local knowledge in these waters so we really had an advantage!

This is one of us finishing 

Thanks John on Salts Car III

Bridget had Tea ready when we arrived back, then off to the prize –giving not even realising that we had a prize to collect.  Later that night we joined in with the Yacht Clubs 50th Anniversary.

   Thursday, 6th February, last minute shopping and preparation for Reinhart to arrive later today.  He made good time from the airport and was hungry enough to eat Pizza before an early night.  He had been travelling for 18 hours!

Friday we sail again for Martinique for Orangina, beer wine Real French bread and cheese.  We soon found out that the Generator was not producing any coolant water so started looking for the answer, meanwhile we begin using the engine to recharge the batteries and other kit which needs the same. Pooh just what we don’t need !!!  We move to Fort De France to show our visitor his first taste of Caribbean Europe on a Sunday.  It didn’t rain !