PM 26th and we finally make our way southwards from the marina glue of St Lucia. Coastal cruise down the hills and cliffs before passing Soufriere Bay and the photo-opp Pitons before anchoring under the stars overnight in a little rocky bay next to the village of Laborie on the south of the island. Interesting chain clunking and surf noises all night....just right for the skippers beauty sleep. Fast offwind sail, well reefed, southwards, down the exposed windward shore of St Vincent, in order to avoid the calms behind the islands. Lumpy seas and big wind acceleration zones at the tips of each island.
We decide to miss out St V on the way down, and head for Bequia as we had heard it was a great stop for New Year. Also some big winds are forecast and good shelter would be available there over the period. After an all day sail we enter a blustery and busy Admiralty Bay at tea time. We are ready to anchor but a one toothed chap chap in a rasta hat leads us to his mooring buoy which doesnt look too bad and which is probably safe enough for a night (4 days later we are still there!).
Bequia is NOT a small flat white coral place. It is a big Salcome/Dartmouth like yachty estuary/bay, with high hills, trees, villas etc. Loads of yachts and boats from Abramovitch type jobbies to dugouts, and tugboats to schooners. Boaty stuff always going on. Traditional Caribe Veg and fruit markets all along the main street. A lot of souvenir type places as well.
We are now fully in Bequia routine with ladder down and dinghy and engine fully rigged for harbour ferry service. Very loud reggae, Steel bands, and Carib Beer are on the menu.
Weather OK, apart from occasional heavy showers and big gusts in between very hot and humid bits. People very pleasant. Skipper slightly uneasy as the smell of new mown hay (grass?/weed?) is strangely pervasive at all social events. Keep getting offered horticultural samples round the back but not sure where to use it as we dont have a lawn on the boat and watering would be a bit of a problem.
2 crew are now wearing knitted rasta hats and balding old skipper has beaded necklace in rasta colours.
Now planning our New Years eve run ashore. Chicken Jerk on papaya and rice with avocado on board. Fireworks party and more steel bands ashore.
Planning on leaving 1st or 2nd southwards for Tobago Cays. This will probably be our furthest south before heading via St Vincent back N to St Lucia base for maintenance and crew flights etc.
Anyway me hearties will keep ye all posted
Michael B & Raparee
Geoff Bell & Andrew & Charlotte
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