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Exody - Day 26 - 5th December - St Lucia Landfall



It was on his morning watch, whilst Tony was studying the spectacular and colourful early morning cloud formations, that he kicked himself for missing the multiple bumps of both St Lucia and Martinique which were clearly visible at 40 miles off.

Mixed emotions accompanied this 'Land Ahoy' moment: relief that we'd made it, regret that the experience was closing, excitement at prospective arrival and civilisation.

After a long night of motoring, mostly with Droppelmina pacing us slightly to the south, we were rewarded with a wind shift to the south/southeast that enabled us to sail 'properly' ie both sails on one side of the boat and 6 knots plus with under 10 knots of wind - something not experienced for a fortnight and it was good to get the mainsail out again! We thus had a great sail for the last three hours to the finish line just around the corner from Pigeon Island. A photographer RIB buzzed us just as we lost the wind at Pigeon Point then again as it picked up to give us a couple of tacks close hauled to pass within a tight boats length of the finish line buoy! A fantastic finish to our 16 days at sea

A couple of boats - ARC and non ARC - cheered us in and we were soon docked safely. The traditional St Lucia/ARC rum punch and fruit basket was enhanced with a bouquet from family for Marian's birthday.

After showers and home phone calls, we consolidated our St Lucia landfall with street food at the Gros Islet street party - a good walk from the marina to get the land legs back!

Sent from my iPad

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