Back in Martinique

We left Bequia at 3:00am on a full moon night for a 70 mile journey to Rodney Bay St.Lucia. The night unfortunately was cloudy with a light shower so .....so much for our moon light sail! As we were upping anchor we see the lights of two more boats also leaving. It got a bit crazy as four boats tried to come into the wind to raise the sails in the dark. But all was well and we were off. The four boats kept in radio contact the whole way and the faster two ...not CT or P&P gave us wind and shower conditions as we proceeded. We had a lot of wind between the islands as always and almost no wind at times and along the coast of St Lucia the most lovely sail not hurrying so we would arrive after customs check in time to avoid costly overtime. Arriving in Rodney Bay at 5:00 P.M. was like coming home. 

We have spent most of our time here and know so many people. It was a quick week and I organized the ladies lunch on Wed for a group of 25. We made plans to leave on Tues. So Monday Brian and I went to town to get a few last minute groceries and check out at customs. We went into the town dock for the grocery store and lunch, but it was so crowded we decided against it and went back to the marina and tied up at our friends My Island Girl. Barabra came racing out of the boat telling us Cat Tales' Laurie was hailing on the VHF looking for us ...our boat was adrift in the anchorage and 10 feet from our friend Stopp Knott. We race back a 10-15 min dinghy ride to find Laurie in his dinghy being a human fender and Dawn on our bow with a line to the local fruit vendor boat ... he, trying to pull us forward. I started the engine and pulled us forward as Brian tied off our dinghy and raced aboard to lift our anchor. Once we were free and caught our breath we reanchored. John of Stopp Knott arrived at that time having heard in the marina about the goings on. We had reanchored two days before after having to go the dock to reinstall the wind generator. So we were two days dug in, so we thought, Brian had dove on the anchor, you just never know. Thank goodness Dawn and Laurie were there to see us go. More than enough excitement for all of us. But no damage done to either boats just some frayed nerves!

We left the next morning for Martinique and had a lovely sail again. This whole season has been filled with good sails. Finally for the first time we saw Dolphins. There were 5-6 off our starboard stern and although I tried to get a picture and I can't even find them. They weren't exactly frolicking beside us but there just the same. The day after our arrival Laurie took Cat Tales into the town of Le Marin where we all stocked up on beer,wine and groceries. He towed our dinghy behind and we had a busy day. The boat stores here are so amazing. We found bits we had been looking for for weeks. 

The dolphins are out there somewhere. 

We have a busy social life here with lots of get togethers,dinners,hikes and fun.