Bequia & Martinique

January 8th

Spent the morning organising the boat, with varnishing being the top priority. In Port Elizabeth, had lunch in a cheap rottie place (due to lack of funds), a spot of quick interneting  and then off snorkeling.

Malcolm is in his element. Evening on Hecuba with a fantastic meal prepared exquisitely by Sandie,  then off out for drinks with Jen big boat, Te Rod Orm boys and some Vikings - all of whom had previously confessed to haven given up late nights !! 

January 9th and 10th 

Woke up far to early for my own good - obviously not working hard enough. Spot of varnishing in the morning ... I'm looking forward to buying a boat-boy to do the rest for us ....after all Malcolm's far too slow these days, must be the age ! Planning on doing an overnight sail up to Froggie Land and clear out the chandlery and supermarches. Since the roles have changed, Malcolm is now taking up owners residence, meaning I have been skippering, which entails dealing with customs often on my own as Malcolm is too damn scared of the suits.

Checked out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and had a beer in the Gingerbread to celebrate. And thus the fun and games begin - brought up the two anchors, sailed out of Admiralty Bay and waved goodbye to Kim and Jen who greeted us from the stern of her yacht. And so to sea. Headed out in to 15 knots from the East, brilliant sunshine, sailed close by St. Vincent and chatted to Night Owl who were heading the same way - the distance to Martinique is about 100 miles so we should arrive mid-morning. As is normally our way we like to do it the hard way. Headed offshore ad got bloody headed as we started sailing for Cuba - and let me tell you my Amigos an excellent night of crashing into waves as we beat a path Northwards, passing St. Lucia.

We saw numerous cruise ships motoring slowly - killing time for their morning arrival in the islands.   Finally, made it in to Martinique after a beautiful morning sail with the sun charging up over the Piton mountains.

Arrived in Marin in the South east of the island to join the many hundreds of charter yachts in the main marina. Out to dinner and immediately struck by how different Martinique is by comparison to all he other islands.It's just so damn civilized!!!!!!!! 

January 11th

The Chandlery was my morning port of call (excuse the pun) and bought two new batteries. Then off in a collective Taxi to the Capital  Fort de France  - an hours fast driving away mes amis. The drive there confirming just how much more affluent it is here. 'F de F'  - an interesting spot large  number of French shops and restaurants.......  oh happy days. Back to the boat and took the batteries apart  finished working at 1am. Exhausted. 

January 12th 

Up at six thirty working on the batteries. A mammoth job replacing the two domestic ones - as electrical experts got too work and the job was done by lunch -  no electrical fires this time either (how I'll never know)! 

Lunch with the Nightowl guys and galls said our goodbyes and sailed towards St. Lucia arriving after a very pleasant sail in Rodney Bay around late evening. A couple of beers then of to Kippington. 

January 13th

Relaxing day working on the boat in the morning then walked up Pigeon Island in the afternoon as part of our new fitness regime. Every day we either run, walk or swim  a mile. I must confess, Malcolm is not so keen on any of the above options but is getting dragged along anyway. 

Malcolm's off  to bed early then I went partying with Edd and Gen to Shamrock which to my surprise contained some Irish girls! Late late night for all.

January 14th

Late start to the day for me. Malc away shopping as per ... Then off via the A1 bus to Castries and to le sheet-hole that is called Vieux Fort. Here we picked up Fergus from the airport, with the only thing this God forsaken town has going for it is a KFC, oh yes, and the airport ideal for a quick getaway.

Picked up the big burly Scotsman at around 10. He persisted to snore all the way back from the airport. A few whiskeys with Ed and Gen in attendance, ideal nightcap.