Hoorah! I woke in the strange and infrequent situation of being awake before Simon and had heard few of the usual stompings on the coachroof through the night. At last the winds had permitted some quality sleep for him. I too had a good night. I reached quietly for my book not wanting to wake Simon from his dreams. When he did finally wake however it was with a splitting headache; so much for quality sleep! Today we ate breakfast at the same time as normal people then prepared for a trip ashore.

   On the right as we entered the lagoon was the nearly finished Camper and Nicholson’s Port Louis Marina with its new buildings just a little too ‘Disney’ for my liking. Extended along the first berth was a very sexy white classic yacht, name not in view, with its metal gleaming, painted wooden tender hanging prettily from the rigging and crisp cream canvas shading her beautiful wooden decks and coach roof. Beyond that there was little moored along the lonely pontoons. We tied up on the dinghy dock at the old yacht club on the other side and set about our errands. Gas is now collected on Mondays and Wednesdays we were told but ours should be back tomorrow, but not early. Strange as today is Thursday we thought. They took our garbage for 3 EC$ and said we could use their laundry, shower, fuel dock and restaurant.  Great!

   Back in the dinghy and off we went to the town which was bustling with people and horn honking vehicles just as the pilot book had described. I thought today I would like to have photographed hats in the Caribbean as there has been such an array of wild and wonderful examples. Another cruise ship had arrived this morning and the locals were out in force touting for business in the busy streets. Taxi drivers offered tours of the island and around the market necklaces made from strings of spices were on sale on every corner. The aroma of pungent spices filled the air and fresh vegetables in colours galore were a feast for the eyes. The doctor had told me to go to the market and ask for the ultrasound clinic but there was no need as looking up, there it was up some stairs. We escaped the heat and lively atmosphere of the market. It looked like I would possibly be able to have an ultrasound straight away until I was asked if I had fasted. Doh! I hadn’t been told. We took the next available appointment on Saturday morning then on our second attempt found a pharmacy who stocked my medication. There was now just provisioning to attend to.

   The Marketing Board on Young Street was brilliant value for basic fruit and veg and just a few doors down we stopped for refreshment at Pebbles Jazz Club/ coffee shop. With its courtyard and interior walls painted in vibrant colours and old posters of jazz musicians and paintings on the walls it was very jolly. Even the long wait for our drinks was no problem as on the tables were an assortment of pictorial books on cricket, blues, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll. It also gave me a chance to snap away out of the window at the pretty courtyard and craft shop across the road. A large portion of the bar was taken up with a stage, drums and amps etc all set up, and above a flat screen TV on the wall played a DVD of old classic jazz. We made enquiries about the live entertainment and hope to get back on Saturday night. The rest of our shopping we did at Foodland in the lagoon which conveniently has its own dinghy dock. We stocked up while able although there wasn’t much in the chiller cabinets except raw meat.

   Supplies safely transferred from dinghy to galley I swiftly microwaved Si’s much awaited chicken roti for lunch that he’d been looking forward to since our last one in Bequia. I had some more jolly delicious tomatoes with bread! Internet connection is not good in the anchorage and after some boat maintenance Si had a frustrating time cursing at the laptop. I dearly want to talk to my family so hope things will be better in the morning if I can steal the antenna and Skype home.