Silence
Blue Sky's Voyage
George & Michael
Fri 29 Dec 2006 20:18
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Hello Friends
As I compose the blog today, Ruud has left
us to head across to Pigeon Island (the Cousteau reserve) to do some diving. Ben
and Barnie have taxied to the airport for a flight to Antigua and more fun &
games.
Christmas in Les Saintes went really rather
well. We found a delightful anchorage off Islet a Cabrit which was quiet and
sheltered from the swell: in traditional French fashion, this was a prohibited
anchorage (cables on seabed) but was well patronised regardless. Blue Sky was
duly decorated, the Christmas tree was hoisted on port spreaders and even Santa
paid a visit.
 Our resident chef more than exceeded
expectations with smoked salmon starters, roast turkey and all the trimmings
followed by Christmas pud. The accompaniment of a double magnum of Veuve
Cliquot, amongst other fine wines, ensured we were in good
spirit...
 The Christmas crackers (purchased in
Gibraltar) contained sparkles which now glitter all over the yacht and defy
cleaning attempts. Needless to say, Boxing Day went quietly, but swims were
enjoyed by all and Michael, Ben and Barnie went for the Boxing Day walk by
climbing up to Fort Josephine. Despite being chased by a goat, Michael retained
as much dignity as could be expected by a near-pensioner with a
hangover.
The view from Fort Josephine looking
South...
 Another exhilarating sail back to Bas du
Fort - eight and a half to nine knots in flat sea with fingertip control of the
wheel - ended the Christmas break and the crew's sailing. We anchored off the
marina under sail with perfect precision, just because we could! It is a credit
to the competence and harmony of the crew that we could sail up the narrow
buoyed channel, gybe the main, pick up speed and round up to drop the mainsail
and then the anchor (in a busy anchorage), all with hardly a word being
said.
Thank you to Ben, Barnie, Ruud and
Arthur!
Silence has now descended on Blue Sky,
interrupted only by the quiet sipping of two very nice cups of tea!
We intend to relax and gently explore a
little more of Guadeloupe before heading up to Antigua to meet our friends Pom
and Barbara later in January.
Very Best Wishes for a Very Happy and
Healthy 2007 !
 George and Michael
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