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Anika - BLOG 8



This blog has been delayed by difficulties with wifi and if I can send it today 20th the end of the ARC is this evening at prize giving, the end of an adventure and challenges ranging from where did we stow the chillies to sextant position fixes, dealing with goose barnacles, rope wraps, water management, why is the mainsail not furling properly, the list goes on for long time.

As we approached St Lucia with the sun rising behind us and Martinique off to starboard, I was surprised how green and picturesque with its many hill tops it is.

We had been motoring for good number of hours with the very light winds but as we closed St Lucia the wind arrived and we went from a broad reach to a beat (a proper way to arrive) as we rounded Pigeon Island into the finishing line where SOPHIE another Hallberg Rassy sounded the finishing horn at 0923 and 31 seconds on the 15th December 2014

We made it, my thanks to Simon and Richard

All we had to do now was to enter the harbour remembering that unlike the IALA system in UK and Europe red buoys are left to starboard as you enter from seaward NOT green as we know it, all seemed perfectly peaceful as we motored up the narrow channel into the lagoon and marina berths that was until we turned the corner and hooters, klaxons, cheers and shouts from almost every boat we passed filled the air, then I saw Viv and Sarah jumping up and down on the jetty – that was very special and will never be forgotten. It was worth the crossing just for the welcome – truly out of this world.

Then NO PRESSURE with a steel band playing, people gathered to wish us welcome including CLUCK our Swedish friends Mates, Kent, Jorgen and Goran, and some of the yellow shirts not forgetting the rum punches and beautiful bowl of fresh fruit, oh yes, I nearly forgot NO PRESSURE just come into this gap astern without making a whoopsie of it!!!!!  

 Now I have the answer to “can I cross an ocean” the reason for embarking on this adventure

Since we arrived we have enjoyed wonderful hospitality, food, weather and a lot of camaraderie with fellow ARC’ers. Now we are getting ANIKA ready to go cruising in through the Caribbean Islands, following a little taster sail down to the picture postcard Marigot Bay for a swim and lunch whilst anchored, but first we need to sort out the generator, alternator, and starter battery, we also need to provision.

David


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