Fortunately we are safely tied to a pontoon on Rodney Bay. Our trip from Martinique was pretty awful. Having left late due to generator repairs being delayed ,( see technical hitches page) we knew we would be arriving in the dark to Rodney Bay. However we were keen to meet up with Linocat and Dancing Walrus had already left 3 hours ahead of us. Also we had cleared customs. As we left the somewhat tricky Marin channel the visibility was very poor and so we had to be very careful as there are so many shaols all around it. Once out into the open channel we put out the jib and engine running were making 6 – 7 knots. About an hour out we put up the main and throttled back the engine. Speed dropped quickly and it was apparent it would be a motor sail over. We had only managed about 16 miles when the weather changed completely. According to the forecast it was to clear up and the wind lessen as the day progressed. Indeed we had seen hints of it as we left the Martinique headland behind us. However instead of easing the wind increased and the skies darkened ominously. Within half a hour we were reefed down to scraps of sail and were being battered by torrential rain. The swell had grown and visibility was about 200 yards. The rest of the trip was just an endurance test. We took 15 minutes turn about on the helm for the next 2 hours. It was such a welcome sight to make out the lights of St Lucia about 3 miles of and to hear the Vigie lighthouse on the radio.
With all that excitement what more could there be? Ah well – inside the marina there is a vessel that dredges and on this occasion it was right in our path. Problem was it was dark and the vessel had no lights on, nor were there any reflectors on the large floats that mark its working area. Yup we went into them and ended up having a bit of a job getting of them again. A passing dinghy threw a line and towed us and with a bit of reverse from our engine and a bit of poking with the boat hook we got free.
Needless to say the last thing we needed by then was ‘jump up’. Glad to be in safe and sound we settled for a nightcap instead with Dancing Walrus which was lovely.

Found Linocat in the daylight but alas she was about to leave for Martinique. Should have stayed where we were after all. Great to see them all however brief the chat. The boat is heading back to Portimao for August so who knows we may yet all meet up again in a few years.

The weather continues to be poor with so much rain falling that there is very few areas you can go to get dry. Think it will continue for the rest of the week if forecast is true. The islanders have been on water rationing since we left here. They target certain areas and for example that area may get water on Tuesday and Saturday but not the rest of the week. So we cannot complain when the wet stuff falls. Besides it is like being back in Scotland on a summer day – only difference is the rain and sea water is warm and they mosi’s instead of midgies!

Have finally figured out how to post photos on facebook woho!