We departed Mendillo in the Cape Verde Islands on the 20th. of December.  All went well for the first 3 days, and then our number one fridge packed up!  This was unfortunate as we were well loaded with food.  However, we manage to stuff most of it in our other fridge and survived, though a number of items went to feed the fish.

 

We had Christmas Day and New Year at sea.  Christmas Day was one of light winds so Santa made it aboard safely and we had a nice day.

 

We had lots of squalls, some days of light winds, and mostly easterly winds, occasionally south east and sometimes north east.  With five days to go, we tore several holes in our mainsail in heavy squalls, so did the remainder of the passage on jib and spinnaker. 

 

As we had a late start to our passage, we decided on a change of plans and headed to Sint Maarten, which is at the top of the Windward Islands.  From here we will head south through the islands as far as Tobago Cays, then head for Curacao and Panama.

 

We arrived in Sint Maarten on Friday the 17th. of January, very happy to get here.  It was in general an uncomfortable passage due to constant cross swells....like being in a washing machine.  Not a patch on the Indian Ocean, of which we have fond memories.  

 

Squall approaching...at one time we had about one every hour for four days.

 

 

Taking the helm in a squall.

 

 

Santa arrives on Christmas morning

 

 

Collecting presents with a glass of champagne

 

 

Hmm...could be related?

 

 

Our poor mainsail

 

 

 

 

Landfall in sight!