Well, finally Jon and Kate arrived here in Rodney Bay St Lucia at 0930hrs on 7th Feb 2007, aboard Aries their 34 ft sailboat after 32 days at sea.  A normal passage for them would be, maybe 22days, but the trade winds didn't blow as they should, so most of the time they had little wind, and one week with virtually nothing.

 

The picture shows Aries entering the lagoon, Chaser can been seen at anchor in the background of photo one.

 

Essential supplies were running short, i.e.. tea bags, toilet rolls etc. OK they had food, plenty of pasta and beans, fish is always on the menu when at sea. Fresh produce, crispy salads, chips!  are non existent.  Fruit and veg, although well stocked in Gran Canaria, doesn't keep for many days, especially if it has been chilled prior to selling. Bananas, green when you buy them until they go yellow, problem is they all go yellow the same day.

 

They have a watermaker, which proved to be a serious asset, they have a Satellite phone which enabled them to keep in touch with family and friends, for weather forecasts etc. another essential peace of kit.

 

So they arrived, to our reception, with a welcoming rum punch, with ice! and some cold beers to chase it down,16 years after they welcomed us here in Rodney Bay when they lived here aboard Aries, and we arrived by plane for a one month holiday.

 

During the couple of months we've been  here, we have met many of Jon and Kates friends who we met when we were here during our holiday 16 years ago it's quite bazaar! 

 

So we arranged their berth, filled them with a little high octane after having a dry boat for 32 days, and left them to clear in at customs and immigration in a slightly inebriated state.

 

After having an afternoon siesta, after all we had to join them in the early morning festivities, we met up for a meal in the Boat pub,  and a beer or two, or maybe 3.

 

At the late hour of 20.30hrs we arrived home, Jon, Kate and Sophie went back to their boat for their first, comfortable, worry free, undisturbed sleep for 32 days. We know how it feels, enjoy!