December 2015

Finally then we checked out of French Guyana and said our last goodbyes to everyone there.
We took the morning tide down to Creek Coswin for an overnight stay.

 The next day we finished motoring to the sea and set off for Grenada.  This was for the most an enjoyable sail being mostly a reach and typically fast. We did have a couple of light showers and plenty of normal Caribbean sailing. Late on Wednesday we came into sight of Grenada which was shrouded in dark clouds.  As we closed nearer the coast the wind picked up to 25 knots gusting 35 and I was called on deck to help read the instruments, which were only visible from the companionway steps due to the driving rain. Fortunately the Yankee and staysail were already down  and we had 3 reefs in but sailing was still a handful. As we came round the corner of the island past the airport we were given some shelter and motored on to St Georges Bay to anchor for that night. A celebratory nightcap before retiring to an uninterrupted full nights sleep.
   The next morning (bright and sunny yeay )but who should we be anchored beside Non other than ’****’ (Dave the fridge and Jan) so Malcolm swam over and begged a lift into the marina to clear customs and immigration. I swapped books, then a light lunch of beef burgers and potato wedges.  By the time Dave picked us up it was raining again and continued until late that night.
  Once we had confirmation that the new rib was available we moved into Port Louis. Great to find all you need at the supermarket! Only a short Maxi away. The dinghy arrived with the engine but none of the extras (engine lock, security lock, lifting strop, go faster fin, etc) so another wait ensued. However, we were mobile again.   We Sailed around to Whispher Cove and talked to Arlene and S/Y C– Drifters, Our Irene and Ray and had Fish & Chips at Taffies (scrumptious as usual!) We then dinghyed in to Palm Tree Maine to arrange with Mike for Simon to visit the generator.    After making contact with Mike we moved to the new Clarkes Court Marina for Simon to fiddle with the generator and he decided that a large capacitor had failed, he took the details but after 2 weeks it had not arrived with Mike - who had forgotten to order it ( come back Arlene all is forgiven). So we sailed on up to St Lucia to prepare for our winter break.
      On the way up we stopped at Bequia and did some snorkelling. Malcolm also replaced the anode on the prop as it had almost disappeared in the Maroni river. Another daysail brought us to Rodney Bay where we anchored to watch a few of the ARC yachts arrive.  Nice to see so many Ocean sailors kitted out in foul weather gear and life jackets.  Once ashore in shorts and T shirts they looked like the rest of us!
  Derek and Bridget are in fine shape and came out for an afternoon sail with us.

We took a picnic down to Marigot Bay and had a really fun day.

I also managed a lunch with Marsha and the crowd which meets on a Wednesday.  We all wished Marsha a Very Happy Birthday.

  There was a fair amount of rain in St Lucia so the top decks were washed of the salt water so just a quick polish then settled the dinghy on deck.  Customs wanted a list of electronics in triplicate and then came out to check them. Then it was off to the airport and the flight home.
  As I sit here listening to the (cold) rain on the roof and the heating keeping us warm I am reminded that there are only a few days left before Christmas.  So it only remains for me to wish you all A Very Merry Time, may all you dreams come true, and wherever you are we will raise a toast to absent friends.
As to the landlubbers, much as we love your news from home we would far better like to welcome you in the Caribbean so why not make time in 2016 for a visit?

All Our best for the New Year.
XX
   

October More of French Guyana

I digress, to finish October since there was more to report!
A week after the dinghy was stolen my i-pad was snatched from my hand and the robber made away with it.  Both Malcolm and Samuel had heard my dismay and Samuel even took chase on his motorbike.  This meant another trip to the police station to report it missing and woe is me all the work involved removing drop box and changing all the passwords to all accounts stored on the web.  Fortunately it has not been on line since it was stolen because if it had been I would have received an email telling me where it was! Such is the state of technology!!! We also managed to change the code to unlock it so even using it after being on line would have caused the robber a problem.
  Of course this meant that all my preparation for out trip to Cayenne had to be repeated. Here are the highlights:
 26th October. We hired a car from BudgetGuyana.com and travelled to Kourou

 with Rick and Amanda (from S/C Duplicat) where we checked in at the hotel Ballahou . I must say at this point the whole country had been suffering from power cuts which had not affected us aboard ’Piano’, so on arrival we found the hotel had a power cut. No problem we were going out for lunch anyway. After lunch some sightseeing around Kourou. It being a Monday most shops were closed so not too much to see. Although we did get to look at the Atlantic coast and the area used for fishing/sailing.  We finished the day with a walk near the space Centre which was a track in a forest and while walking we heard monkeys! Which we watched for 10-15 minutes

 A kindly lady in the tourist office suggested our evening meal that night -which we managed to find despite the black out- a local eatery called Gaou Gaou. It was fortunate that Eric was watching out for customers and flagged us down (since there were no street lights nor housing lights either. The choice was Nasi (chicken with rice) or Bami ( chicken with noodles) and a cool beer.— Note to self choose a house near a hospital as these seldom are affected by power cuts.
27th Breakfast at Le Croissantiere in the Total Garage and then back to the Space Centre for an 8 o’clock start to a tour.  This was a really worthwhile trip since we got to see all the areas behind the scenes to the launch.

Ariane Launch Pad

Jupiter Control Room

Back to the Croissantiere for lunch now not selling Petrol due to lack of power and then a short drive to Cayenne.

Downtown Cayenne

Ceparou -remains

Place des Palmists

Centrepiece sculpt of Felix Eboue

and all the colonial buildings made this a colourful city, plus the shops were open too! We had sun-downers mid afternoon over-looking Place des Palmists.
Later we checked into the Hotel La Chaumiere and chilled in their pool.

 They also did a great evening meal so no driving that night and no power cuts either.  However, there was no wifi as it had been taken out earlier that day by a power surge as the power had returned.
Breakfast was available the next morning so we tucked in and then set off for more of the sights of downtown Cayenne. Namely the Wednesday Market with a display of traditional dancers

Indoor Spice and Craft Market

 with vegetables galore and various crafts made from wood.
Next St Saviour Cathedral which has recently been renovated.

And finally the Botanical Gardens which provided a cool interlude in the baking hot midday.

We had lunch at Café Nath

We almost thought it closed! it was a Halloween theme.

which had quite a selection of coffee and teas plus fresh made Mango smoothies and savoury pastries.
The drive back was only marred by an hours queuing on the flyover out of town. We had a pleasant meal that evening with  Amanda & Rick, Marcie & David (S/Y Nine of Cups) and Chris & Kerryn (S/Y Noontide) and planned a trip to the local Leper Island for the next day.
We had been borrowing Noontides engine and Della Myras spare tender while at St Laurent du Maroni so took Chris up river with us and brought Kerryn back down.  While there we BBQ'd and chilled out with cool beers until the tide turned to take us back.
    By the time you read this we will be in St Georges Grenada but I'll leave that until next time.

September-October 2015

Nereid's Rally

Last Year we heard of the great explorations during the Nereid's Rally to Guyana, French Guyana, and Dutch Guyana. This year we signed up and took part. The preliminary meeting took place at Sails Restaurant. As in previous years David Matelicani gave the introductions, namely of Kit and Gem from Hurakabra, Cathy Hughes (now Minister for tourism in Guyana,) and members of the contingent from French Guyana, and outlined the plans for the rally.

The remainder of August was spent in preparation, stocking the boat and stowing items not required until next hurricane season. We next had a send off dinner at 'Sails' with David and planned for a flotilla sail past as we left for Scotland Bay. Here we spent a couple of hours checking that all the systems were working and then set off for Guyana. Unlike all other journeys this we called sailing in company. There were 9 Boats ; Della Myra with Joe on board, Duplicat Rick and Amanda,(the only catamaran) Eileen of Avoca with David and Adrian the film guy, Freya of Clyde, Ann and Alan, N'Oubliez Jamais and Jean, Ocean Rainbow with James and Claire, Gaia with Romain and Matthew, Silent Annie with Mikey and Amanda and Piano. Ballerina Girl and Don with his son came later to join us in Bartica for the arrival celebrations. Duplicat motored the whole way along the north coast of Trinidad, then caught very favourable wind and current to speed them towards the Essequibo. Because we sailed along the coast we missed out on some of these advantages but the wind direction was still very favourable and we were able to sail the direct course for most of the way with just a couple of short detours onto starboard tack. In all, it took us three and a half days for the 310 miles from Trinidad to the mouth of the Essequibo. On the last night, we slowed down a little in order to negotiate the river in daylight. Our first really peaceful night was spent halfway to Bartica at the Lau-Lau islands. Not so peaceful at dawn though, when the parrots woke up!

From our base at the Hurakabra Resort we made side trips up river to Banganara Resort and downriver to Bartica for shopping and sightseeing. The first trip was to Marshall Falls with the whole rally, this was done in a fast piroque

and was quite scary with the rapids being taken at the same speed as a chase in a Bond movie. No one got wet and we were taken ashore for a short hike to the Falls. Our guide and piroque driver was excellent as he pointed out various plants and bird calls. On arriving at the Falls most people jumped into a 'freezing' pool at the base of the falls and then had fun cavorting about. (I took pictures)

Pic

We also made a trip to Kaieteur Falls with some of the Rally Participants. This is billed as one of the world's largest single drop waterfalls. We travelled by small aircraft and took some spectacular shots from the air before we landed. Amongst the wildlife on show while we were there, the Blue Morpho Butterfly, and the second largest Tank Bromeliads in the world- complete with their own Golden Frog in residence! Needless to say conditions did not allow photos to materialise.

After this we flew onto Iwokrama Rainforest Reservation where we checked in for the night. Accomodation was a private bungalow, more luxurious than I was expecting. Meals were served in the main building where there was a balcony to do some twitching and a bar. This resort is set up for serious field work , playing host to British Universities and other organisations. They are extremely well equiped with scientific equipment.

This is a black Caiman

patrolling the waterfront to deter swimmers, rumour had it that there were Piranhas in the water too! After a great local dinner that night we joined Rick and Amanda on a night cruise up river armed with powerful torches for spotting the eyes of Agouti, Caiman et al.

Next morning after breakfast we set off with Kevin our guide for a hike up Turtle Mountain. 

 Fortunately it was the dry season so quite a pleasant hike. Three hours (ish) to climb up (and the last half hour was nine out of ten in my range of steepness. But the views at the top were spectacular.

On the walk down the sole of my boot parted company with the top, so I dug out my spare pair and got home in time for lunch.

We checked out and said goodbye to the friendly staff at Iwokrama then were taken by Jeep to Rock View Lodge, in a savannah region. When we arrived 2 hours later, Rock View was in full preparation for it's second Music Festival and we enjoyed listening to the preparations and performances from their swimming pool. We had sundowners with the owners and other guests and then a communal evening meal.

Next morning Malcolm and Rick did another hike up a local hill looking for wildlife and birds and so on

while Amanda and I had a leisurely breakfast.

 Lunchtime we were treated as VIP's any choice from the vast selection being prepared for the concert later that day. Then a scheduled flight 

back to Georgetown where we were met by a driver who gave us a whistle-stop tour of the main items, namely the wooden cathedral and the tomb of the last president. Plus we passed through the Cummingsburg district!! more for my Family History research?

Quite enough after a long day. The expedition ended with a fast pirogue trip back to Bartica , where Michael the resident guide/tracker picked us up for the homeward journey to Hurakabra. Later we watched movies in the bar and had a BBQ catered for by Romain,Matthew and Adrian.

The next leg was another upwind sail to the Maroni River in French Guyana. Weather conditions were again completely settled but the course was dead to windward and, with the added hindrance of the adverse current, it took us half an hour under 4 days to cover the 275 miles.

 Throughout the trip were were within a few miles of Duplicat, which provided some added interest. Other, less welcome, interest came in the form of the myriad fishing boats we encountered on the last day, so we didn't get much rest on the last night at sea. We arrived at an Amerindian village called Awala-Yalimapo, where we were greeted by the owner of a restaurant/drinking establishment. He had prepared a brilliant lunch with drinks and a speech. The next day we were treated to some traditional dance

 and another lunch all was very impressive. The village was beautifully kept and tidy, the locals all very friendly. From this spot we did a shopping trip to restock fresh vegetables and such like. We had a trip to a cultural museum with work from local artists and films of the processes involved. Potters collecting clay from the river making the pots then glazing them with plant dyes and finally firing them in oil drums which had wood packed around them. The final product a masterpiece.

Next a trip to Mana a township in that area where we explored and had lunch, this too was exceptional, but I do appreciate good french food! Finally (30^th September) a trip to the French Guyana Space Center where we saw Ariane VA226 being launched from the Agami viewing site. It was another full day of travelling this time by coach, and the actual launch only took a few minutes! Hey ho, it was part of the rally so not the usual price of 52 Euros. We arrived home just before midnight. Friday we all had a potluck aboard S/C Duplicat – by far the largest boat for entertaining. Thanks here to Amanda and Rick.

We moved up to St- Laurent du Maroni, where we were treated to yet another warm welcome. We all sailed down with dress flags flying and arrived at 12 prompt. After picking up our personal buoy we went ashore to see Kit, Gem and Cathy had reciprocated the French delegations invitation and so furthered the entente cordial between the two countries. All the ladies were presented with bouquets of Tropical flowers and a Tourist bag of small items to be enjoyed later. Another exemplary lunch in the form of a finger buffet of gourmet items too numerous to mention. The following day was action packed too. The whole waterfront which had been decked out for the arrival was pressed into use for the townsfolk who were invited to try windsurfing, dinghy sailing, Optimist sailing and having a look on the rally boats. Meanwile facilities ashore were outstanding, no need to use water aboard Piano for the washing and plenty of beers in the fridge at the Marina office. David is a true STAR. We were also happy to meet his right hand man Samual with his girl friend Daniella who came to visit Piano.

More to follow!...

2015 August

  At last I have found time to write the entry for August!
The flight back was uneventful and the only hitch was the terrific queues at the beach. Back aboard all we needed to do was have a bite to eat and go to bed. Unpacking was done the next day and jobs began in earnest.  All the new gadgets already on the spreadsheet were unpacked ready for fitting.  The new shower curtain hung and the first shopping expedition for food rounded the first day off.
During August we have been enjoying the BBQ at Crews Inn with our sailing friends, unfortunately I haven't had time yet to play Mexican train Dominoes.
  The new phone now has a Trinny sim card so calls home are really cheap and it does wi-fi too wow such technology!
Soon after out arrival we hauled out at Peakes yard and had new antifouling done by a great team. It’s amazing that anything gets done when the workers get so little money for such hard work in hot conditions, while the masters rake in the shekkles and make a good living.
The man who works hardest for all the cruisers here is Jesse James and he really runs the best service for shopping trips and entertainment.  Through him we arranged another visit to the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic.  This year it was called ’Blessed with Sound’
Mozart Divertimento, Bach Little Fugue in G, Bruch Koi Niche, and Tchaikovsky Capricco Italien.  After the interval the combined orchestras played highlights from the Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom of the Opera, West side Story, and JC Superstar. In all an outstanding evening.
  The only other trip out was to the Mission Impossible Rogue Nation film at Movie Towne. Many meals have been eaten out at the local restaurants, Zanzibar, the Wheelhouse pub for shark and bake, Crews Inn, and Sails.  All good value and recommendable still.
  Finally we have been researching our first sail of the season this will be on the Nereid Rally to Guyana, French Guyana, and Suriname.  In preparation we watched the Lost Land of the Jaguar and look forward to some spectacular wildlife and sightseeing.  We have sourced Malarone for Malarial protection and stocked up with sailing meals for the 6 day cruise in company.  We have also booked inland trips to Kaieteur Falls with others on the rally to keep the cost low.
Also if you do Facebook there will be regular tracking each day to show where we are while on the rally, I shall try to send an email to everyone so that you can look at the track directly but I will need help with this new technology so be patient.

UK Travels June-July

   Arrived to 12 C temperatures! Drove to Kent to visit mum but also saw my brother with his family, Uncle Edwin Aunty Joy and Fiona then Edwina and Richard who have a new dog.
We also made side trips to Malcolms’ sister to pick up post and his black suit. To Maria in Streatham and Ikea shopping with her plus Denise & Anton in Postling for a yummy lunch.
    We left for our cottage a week later and the fun began!
First stop was for coffee at Shirley and Davids’ with time to hear their news. Then the long drive to Cornwall.
  Yet again the loo seat and the Jacuzzi plug are wrecked.  My new phone was ordered by next day delivery and arrived a week later, I fitted the micro sim but failed to activate it, so when we took a break to hike along the Coastal path from Mousehole to Lamorna

 we couldn’t access any of the help which I had found out at home with wi-fi. (not that there was any phone coverage in the area anyway) We get better phone coverage in the Caribbean! The icing on the cake was a handful of memos at the Merry Maidens site to ask for objections for the placement of a wi-fi aerial near Boleigh Farm.  When I tried to use the site I needed to sign in to post but it wasn’t worth it since all the others had objected (on the grounds of it being in a Site of Outstanding Natural Beauty )

Wednesday and Thursday saw us stripping the small window in the master bedroom.

 This needed more reconstruction to the outer sill (Malcolm) and much paint removal and sanding (Sue)
Friday 12th saw the start of Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, proceeds in aid of the RNLI.  It coincided with Falmouth Classics. so went to Pendennis Point to watch the sail past plus the starts of most of the races. Sunday we sang along with more of the Sea Shanties in a packed Falmouth. and later.

The Grapevine Falmouth

Shared a meal with our dear friends John and Val

 Amongst the renovations a team arrived on the waterfront below to track a blocked drain in the Waterfront properties, after finding it solid with soil and leaves they decided this wasn’t the offending drain and set off to look at some more.  All in the area are equally blocked!  Later dashed to Truro to get stuff for Piano.
Recycling is in full flow with all that has been ordered.
Jenny and Ray are as happy as ever in the pink house opposite, Bizzy at 32 is still there she hasn’t moved and parking is still a nightmare.
    The last weekend and more sailing friends Susan and Andrew S/Y Andromeda arrived to visit. As with all encounters I shall suffice to say blah blah and you will surely appreciated all the talking which was done! We took them to see the ‘J’ Class Classics Racing in the Harbour. Susan also helped me with my new phone and I managed to post from Pendennis Point!  Incidentally I met our next door neighbour Charles , who does long lets with his cottage. he is an engineer on one of the J Class boats, so we will look out for him next year and maybe even get a tour included?
  After saying toodle pip to Bohill we drove up to Loughborough to visit with Kerri and John (S/Y ‘Folly’). Almost there and the cottage manager phoned to say we had left our overnight bag upstairs– eek. Malcolm then dropped me off and made a return trip to retrieve said bag,(600 miles more travel)
We had a delightful stay with KP and JP visiting Charnwood Forest, Melton Mowbray Market, Loughborough town center, and much more. Plenty to catch up on since we haven’t seen them since we crossed the pond.  ‘Folly’ was caught in Hurricane Sandy and has had much work done to sort her out.  They have also had a few problems letting their house hence the time at home.  We hope to see them in the Caribbean again too.  The weather was glorious with many meals taken outside in their GARDEN, with the tinckle of water from the pond and the scent of flowers in the air.

   The next stop was in Underbarrow, Cumbria. To visit Elaine and Steve.  A blissful few days of true holiday.  Plenty of chat, real ale, a hot tub,

and a hike. Steve has cut his work time down so fingers crossed we may get a visit next year? Elaine meanwhile has taken up acting so will probably be hard at work in Hollywood.
  After we departed Cumbria we travelled to Cleverly, where my second cousin Angela greeted us.  Never having been to this part of England before we were enraptured. There were crowds who like us think it’s worth a visit. Angelas’ husband John had just had an op so couldn’t make it along the seafront.

Yet more chatting to catch up. We had lunch at Knott End a haunt of Malcolms while at Uni on a sailing trip, then continued to Alderly Edge to surprise Uncle Ian and Aunty June. Oops no picture for this –sorry. They recommended the De Trafford to eat (tick Trip Advisor) and a wonderful Guest House to stay the night, (another tick for hospitality here too).
   Almost home and we dropped by to visit my college friend Jeanette, who has 2 more days before she retires.

 She too asked if the offer was still open to visit us in the Caribbean next year– smile.
Last stop Margaret and Roger ( who helped with the sail from Antwerp to Dover back in 2008), they live in Bracknell and have so many grandchildren! Margarets’ brother (another Malcolm) took us all out to eat at Lock Fyne Yummy! More Chat …
But they always say manyana so we live in hope they will get time off for good behaviour, and the bench to visit us.

OK back to Sandwich and what a surprise only more parcels for ‘Piano’. I did manage to contact Cathy and Robert Brooke (S/Y Veritas friends) who invited us to lunch.

 Needless to say there was much to chat through , having not seen them since 2008 in Dover.
 We ended up accompanying them to Dormansland Carnival which will be their last (they move to Dartmouth soon) then a quick cup of T before returning to Sandwich.  Folk & Ale Festival in the Town. Wow!

Wimbledon is over so the rain began to cool us from exceptional summer weather, all in all a fitting end to our brief visit home.

Barbados May 2015

Tuesday 31st March, sees us motoring round to Cocoa Bay, meandering through said corals and shifting sandbanks (3 hours motoring slowly). After lunch the skies turned grey and another 10 minute burst of rain.  It seems the best snorkelling will be in the mornings.

  Good Friday 3rd April! Sailed to Jolly Harbour 35.8 NM in 5 hours 10 mins an average of 6.8 NM/hour.
4th motored to 5, Islands and then Deep Bay on the 5th Dived on the ‘Wreck of the Andes’ Not good visibility but interesting for our first wreck dive.

7th back to 5 Islands and all alone, brief wifi then to Jolly to check out.
8th Sailed to Deshaies Guadeloupe, 48.8 NM in just under 8 hours averaging 6.3 KN/hour.

  A very wet morning with the main aft hatch slightly open meant that the one BIG wave emptied onto the nav desk and galley plus the saloon cushions too.  Much to dry off then wash in Freshwater when we got in.  Still we saw plenty of turtles and just before we anchored a pod of dolphins too.
We refilled the dive tanks and had French pastries, said hi to S/Y Coromandel (12th) before motor sailing to Pigeon Island to see if we could find Sea horses.  This time the anchorage was calmer than Deshaies. Visibility fair enough to watch a Caribbean Spiny Lobster. There were many new sponges to add to the photo collection.
Monday 13th April sailed from Pigeon to Bourg des Saints.  Just after setting a full Yankee, staysail and 3 reefs of the main we were called by a customs boat, who wanted to board and search.  We put fenders out and two very polite guys hopped aboard.

  One sat in the cockpit with Malcolm taking ‘Piano’s’ particulars, the other came below and poked around in various cupboards.  We were heeling a bit and they became a little nervous that we were away from the coast, however, seemed quite satisfied with their visit and wished us a pleasant onward sail to Guadeloupe.

   Ok it was a bit boisterous, being hard on the wind, plus as we entered the Saints channel there were MANY fishing buoys to avoid.  That said we arrived in time for lunch at Tea time.  We stayed 2 nights and bought sufficient croissants to last the next trip.  Also had a tasty lunch to enable us some wi fi what a bonus!

   Wednesday 15th April, slipped the mooring and sailed for Portsmouth, Dominica—23 Nm in 3 hours 24 minutes, an average of 6.8 Kts.  We were welcomed by Titus who remembered us from last year and took the opportunity to arrange a trip up the Indian River the next morning and a BBQ that evening at which we met a few new yachties.

  Thursday Titus came by at 08.30 to pick us up and take us to the Indian River, here he lifted his outboard and handed us to Leo who rowed us along peacefully explaining the wild-life around us.

   Sometime thereafter we sailed for St Lucia, anchoring overnight in Rodney Bay—while Malcolm went ashore to sign in.  Next we moved into the marina to top-up the water and batteries. A short trip for shopping and to visit Derek and Bridgit.  Here we caught up on the families news and gave them a brief resume of our adventures.

This a snap of the nav computer, how I wish Picassa web albums still worked!

   Another day another Island, this time we had the correct angle to make Barbados on a fine reach, taking 24 hours to make the yacht club to sign in then anchored in Carlisle Bay.  Not much has changed since our landfall back in January 2010, there were still horses being exercised in the sea, and jet skis zooming past at all hours.  Our first trip ashore we noticed that the Port Authority has placed mooring balls in the inner harbour and after finding the office we inquired when we could enter.  This with the help of the new owner of the Pub at the Bridge House.  I just can’t get Trip Advisor to find me their listing! So here is a snap of our view. 

 A day or so later Anton arrived with Cliff and David.  They easily found ‘Piano’ and came for sun-downers.

  Next ensued a fun packed week while they waited for the start of the cricket.  

Tuesday we hiked  a short distance to the racecourse to watch the 'ponies'.   As we arrived the first race was about to start and we had a prime view being at the start line!

  We then went in search of sustenance and found the victualing area where we had lunch of Doubles and hot-dogs with Banks beer.  Then we watched the remainder of the races from the Grandstand and even had a winner!

   Wednesday we took a taxi to The Atlantic Hotel, Tent Bay, in St Josephs parish. Yes lunch was sumptuous and truly Caribbean in flavour.  It was ideal for the three visitors as it gave them the opportunity to savour many different dishes.  Also a perfect day weather wise just a gentle breeze over the water.

  Close by is Bathsheba and the whole of this coast is grazed by the Atlantic Ocean.  Did I mention the fields of Sargasso weed through which we sailed? Apparently it is not unusual, it’s just that in five years we have never seen it so thick.

  So the primary reason for the visitors from England was the third test Cricket at the Oval just outside Bridgetown.  In fact many locals failed to support their side after the first day.  Consequently they returned and trashed the English side!

(The BBC sports site gives a far better coverage than I can with some good snaps too.)

  While the boys were having fun at the Cricket, we arranged for the Yankee sail to be repaired at Doyles and then went to collect it. Our sail had been packed ready for collection but we were given a full tour of the high tech sail loft at Six Crossroads.  What a happy workforce, and what superb working conditions.  With all the doors and windows open and enough shade to make life conjunctive to excellent sail making!

  We had sun-downers at Anton's Hotel followed by dinner at an Italian Restaurant then bade him goodbye until June when we are home again. 

  Our final sail of the year was back to Trinidad and we arrived early on the 7th June.  Richard fitted the air con the next day and work began on getting ‘Piano’ ready to have a holiday.  Malcolm even put a bag around the prop this year to combat the growth of weed.  Fortunately S/Y ‘C Drifters’ came in just before we flew home and relieved us of what was left in the fridge.  We must also say a very big THANK-YOU to Ray & Ireene for bringing Malcolms' laptop and glasses over for us.  How did he forget them ?????