Well I say that this post is about St Lucia but I am actually writing this whilst in London in the freezing cold - a short trip that had to be done unfortunately.....another story! The good news is that, the contractor for Seldon, Nick with alot of help from Andrew managed to get the main sail furler fixed just before we flew out. So as soon as we get back we will be heading to the Grenadines.... oh provided the 5th new fresh water pumps makes it back with us - yes this is life on boats as everyone knows fixing them in exotic locations.
We ended up spending 10 days in Marigot Bay and had a really wonderful time. The Golden Breezers arrived and we had a couple of crazy nights with them, we met Dan an aussie super yacht chef plus Maggie & Colin who were staying at the hotel, all of whom were adopted by the cruisers at the Hurricane Hole. We went diving and shared a couple of fun nights with Dan and then Maggie & Colin ended up joining us for the trip back to Rodney Bay. Marc & Kathy from White Rabbit who we met in Rodney Bay also popped in for a couple of nights. Finally, I also enjoyed the gym and a Pilates class at the hotel, whilst spending most afternoons at the pool.
We did have a couple of incidents too, reminding us that this is not all just one big holiday.... at happy hour Askooby (our dinghy) strangely drifted out into the bay, despite being tied up at our feet. Hmmmm not sure that it wasn't untied, as we heard a splash and a local guy said not to worry his 'friend', who happened to be out there in the dark paddle boarding, would pick it up. After that we locked it up even when we were right there. Then we also got driven into by a german yacht when they were trying to pick up a mooring - most of that polished out but a stainless steel fishing rod hold is very dented into the pushpit - the lady on the helm apparently didn't know the boat was in gear..... We are certainly ready to go somewhere new now!
 |
| Andrew with our lovely friends from Golden Breeze - Fabian, Philip and Anne |
 |
| One of the many super yachts in Marigot Bay |
 |
| Lunch by the pool |
 |
| Marigot view from Askari |
 |
| Me with Anne and Maggie |
 |
| Another Happy Hour at the Hurricane Hole |
 |
| Bringing Askooby home |
 |
| Party night on Askari - a big curry and alot of wine |
 |
| Yacht Drumbeat arrives in Marigot Bay |
 |
| Maggie & Colin join us |
 |
| Maggie & Andrew enjoy the scenic tour along the coast of St Lucia |
 |
| Coming back to Rodney Bay |
Back in Rodney Bay the parts for the furler had arrived but it still took another three days to get the paperwork right to get them out of customs.... So we spent a lovely day at Pigeon Island - sadly I forgot my camera but it was just lovely. We walked to the highest peak with stunning views of Martinique, explored the old fort and buildings, had lunch and then spent the afternoon on the beach. From the high point we spotted a boat that looked familiar - it was Oyster 545-01 Shelena which was launched a year before Askari - we had been on board her in Ipswich but never met her owners Phil & Helen. Phil was onboard as we zoomed back to Rodney Bay - next night we enjoyed a few cocktails and stories with Phil & Helen at the Landings resort. Phil also sold us a mountain of books on the US east coast for the next part of our adventure.
 |
| Landings Resort Beach |
 |
| Sunset over Rodney Bay |
 |
| A lot of books to read up in the East Coast USA |
Finally, Monday morning Nick arrived bright and early to work on the furler. Andrew had spent the weekend considering the parts and how to tackle the job. Unfortunately Nick hadn't been given any guidance on how to do this job so the two of them worked through it together and figured out a plan. I made the coffee and provided towels and protective matts around the area and then left them to it until I heard an almighty scream.... Nick had removed the cover from the electronic furler and had his hand under the machinery, such that as he dislodged it the full weight of it fell onto his thumb, which was then trapped inside the mast. Andrew managed to get him into the cockpit before he passed out - he looked totally white and was obviously in shock. The injury looked awful but he was lucky not to have lost his thumb. We bandaged him up and Andrew drove him to the clinic for stitches and then onto x-ray. Then he came back to work with a broken but anaesthetised thumb and fixed up the furler - what a hero!!
 |
| Nick hard at work - no feeling in his broken thumb! |
 |
| Boys figuring out the next step |
 |
| The hard bit was getting it back together |
We still have to put on the sail and it does need more work but the furler is back together and operational - at long last!
Time for one last meal out before flying to London - so we joined Kathy and Marc from White Rabbit for a thai feast and a few magic tricks.... I have a feeling we will see these guys again aboard an Oyster somewhere in the world, if not at their home in Canada!
 |
| Us with Kathy and the master magician Marc |
