Back in Rodney Bay, St Lucia

It was a pleasant sail until becoming becalmed just off the south coast of St Vincent. Half way up the west coast we were called up by Otahi (about 3 miles ahead of us) on the radio. It turns out that they had a bit of a nightmare experience with the local boat boys and got hassled to the point of not wanting to stay in the Wallilibou anchorage and had decided to carry on to St Lucia.

After using the engine for about an hour the wind filled in and we resumed sailing, we could just make out Otahi on the distant horizon. Just after dark we drew level with them and then slowly pulled away throughout the night as Doris (being modern) points a lot higher than Otahi.

We arrived at Rodney Bay just as it was getting light, dropped anchor and after failing to make contact with Otahi, climbed into bed. After a few hours sleep we woke up around midday and decided to re-anchor closer to shore nearer Otahi who had arrived while we were sleeping.

Just after setting the anchor, I decided to dive on the anchor and found I had dropped it over an underwater cliff edge about 25ft high and while it was holding, would not be suitable for a longer term stay. While on deck I saw a familiar sight approaching. It was Aliisa (Lauri & Annina) who had arrived after sailing south from Martinique. We invited them over for ‘breakfast pancakes’ and were soon also joined by James & Freya. Once again Doris was a hive of activity with Kat doing the business with the Pancakes our staple breakfast for the last month or so.

Finally as everyone had vacated and just as it was getting dark we decided to re-anchor (something we should have done a lot sooner). After failing (3 times) to get the anchor to set on the rock and coral bottom, and with ever increasing winds, we finally had to settle on anchoring well offshore away from other boats just incase she pulled during the night.

With me not wanting to leave the boat, Kat was feeling trapped and had ‘Cabin Fever’, compounded by the fact that she was not confident enough to use the dinghy at night in the strong winds on her own. After a heated argument, James & Freya came over to visit and we had a Rum fueled ‘Therapy Session’ with James playing safe and staying very quiet!

The next morning we decided to go into the marina so Kat could see her friends and go ashore easily. After a botched mooring we were all tied up and back where I started – Rodney Bay marina. With the winds howling we decided to stay in the marina for three nights, however this led to another two nights due to being in no state to move the boat after a heavy night on Aliisa and another night of ‘Jump Up’ and also deciding to help Matti get Carma boxed for shipping back to Sweden.

A heavy night on Aliisa

Jump Up at Gros Islet.

During our stay in the marina we did at least manage to ‘Milton’ the water tanks which hopefully will not leave too much of a smell of bleach.

After getting back out to anchor I returned to the marina to help Matti get Carma in the container for shipment back to Sweden and then pick up some supplies and Gaz.

Getting Carma to the loading dock.

On my return to the anchorage Quartermoon (Sim & Amy) had arrived. During the conversation it occurred to me that neither the Gaz or the supplies were in the dinghy. In my haste I had left them on the marina dinghy pontoon! To my surprise they were still sitting there waiting for me – phew!

Kat found it somewhat ironic when she realized the first day in a month I didn’t fancy pancakes for breakfast was in fact Shrove Tuesday.

That evening Quatermoon joined us for a curry, followed by Aliisa, Otahi and Matti who also came over to Doris for drinks and to catch up. Once again Kat played the hostess mixing batches of punch in the giant Thermos jug.

The whole gang together on Doris.

Things started to get a bit messy around 2am when everyone was suitably drunk and we had consumed at least 3 litres of Rum and some dodgy Coconut liqueur and wine. While talking to Sim, he offered to repair Doris’ windows that are still being held in place with Duct tape.

Upon getting into bed the boat started to spin and the quick solution came in the form of two fingers down my throat and a chat with the great white telephone before sinking into a deep sleep. Needless to say the next day we didn’t leave the boat and the radio remained very quiet all day. While it rained continuously all day, I felt great. Kat however, wanted someone to kill her (something I’ve been close to doing on certain occasions but thought I’d let her suffer on this particular day).

The next day (Thursday) we all got together to say farewell to Matti in the ‘Bread Basket’ Café. He had booked the first possible flight back home to Sweden and was leaving that night. The rest of us planned a beach BBQ for the evening. That afternoon Kat and I, joined James and Freya aboard Otahi for an afternoon sail around Rodney Bay. I have never sailed a steel boat and it was interesting to note the difference between Doris, a light weight modern yacht with a fractional rig and Otahi, a heavy traditional steel cutter.

We all arrived on the beach just after dark armed with BBQ’s, food, drink and guitars. Luckily the rain held off and many a bad song was sung, reminiscent of days gone by in Portugal.
BBQ on Reduit Beach, Rodney Bay

The following day, Otahi set off heading for Martinique and Aliisa left us for the final time to continue their trip around the world. Otahi – See you guys soon! Aliisa - Good luck and see you on the flip side!

It’s now Sunday 1st March and the blog is back up to date. Nothing much to report except that I have arranged through Hanse that Sim can repair the windows under warranty and work should start tomorrow (Monday) morning. Once they are safe and sealed again, we hope to continue north to Antigua for ‘Classic Week’ via Dominica.

Kat flies back to the U.K. on March 18th so we need to get a move on! I have also decided to sail back to the U.K either from Antigua or via Bermuda. If I’m feeling brave I may try for the rhumb line to the U.K or if not, via the Azores.

That’s all for now folks…