New Year - Saint Lucia

We had a good sail to Saint Lucia overnight. We left with Golden Breeze hot on our tails and sailed at sunset up the island, in the protected waters with all the other sunset cruisers. We decided not to unfurl any main sail, not knowing what damage this might do and just sailed with the jib to the south end of Saint Lucia. We found that we were on the cruise ship route with several passing within 2miles; I called one on my watch and he changed course to avoid us. We approached the Pitons on the South of Saint Lucia at first light and managed to sail for about another hour before we had turn the engine on and power for about 20 miles to Rodney Bay.

Golden Breeze at sunset off Barbados

Pitons at first light

Sails away approaching Rodney Bay

We had made a reservation at the marina in Rodney Bay, so entered the lagoon to be met by marina staff who directed us to a huge berth, and yes alongside Fenua; who had arrived the day before. They quickly briefed us on the check-in procedure and we rushed off to customs and immigration to get that done before they closed for lunch. All very easy and such friendly people. The marina is amazing; wide docks, 32amps, they collect the rubbish, fill gas and take in laundry from the boat, and a supermarket with it's own dock a short dinghy away.

I found Andrew after check in at the Boardwalk Bar

Askari in Rodney Bay Marina

 The first job was get the main sail off and inspect the furler so we could make a report to Oyster.

This is how our furler looks with the sail on

Andrew inspecting the furler

 This was the first time we had dropped the main sail, it was easy until we got to the battens, but found with chopsticks we could release the batten pockets. Then I went to get the sail bag and found Dolphin Sails had of course provided a neat tool all wrapped up with the bag like a gift!

Big sail, off and neatly folded

 The next night it was New Year's Eve - we went down to Gros Islet the small town near the marina and had a fabulous dinner at a local restaurant with Friedl and Katharina, before returning to the marina to watch the fireworks over the bay.

New Years Eve - dinner in the drain 

Wireman made Andrew a footy player

Fireworks over Rodney Bay

New Years Day and Blue Roger arrived in the bay - it poured with rain but we couldn't miss the chance for a few drinks with the whole gang being back together so crews of Fenua, Golden Breeze and Blue Roger all came for a few Gin and Tonics aboard Askari. It was the most people we have had inside and was great fun.

Friedl, Jitske, Michiel and Katharina

Frank and Sandra, Anne and Philippe with me

Katharina and Andrew