Current position "12:52.7N 61:11.3W”. We set off from Rodney Bay St Lucia on Sunday after sad end to a great week on land and saying goodbye to so many friends who had come out to celebrate Graham’s 50th B’day. Actual day was today (20th) but we had a great celebration in the hotel on the beach at St Lucia last Thursday. During the week we’d had a boat trip down the coast with lunch and snorkelling for all, and a day “zip-lining” – going from tree to tree on wires; brilliant fun, as well as a week by the pool just chilling.

 

Since St Lucia (Rodney Bay) we spent a night at the Pitons – wonderful views – and yesterday made more of a slog to get from there to Becquia. No-one apart from Graham liked the big waves, much to his disgust! We arrived slightly late because we caught a huge Dorado part-way there. It took Graham about an hour to land. The Dorado had gone deep below the boat from the start and Graham had to haul it in 10-15 cm at a time for about 80m of line. Good exercise but he was exhausted at the end. Still – made for a good dinner, courtesy of Byron’s fileting lessons during the Atlantic crossing (and birthday present lures).

 

Towards the end of the trip we connected with Chosen One, the Dufour 45 from the ARC. We met up with them this am and then sailed together to Mustique. We started about 10 mins ahead of them and managed to hold that lead to Mustique, with Graham re-trimming the sails about every 60 seconds to make sure we scraped home ahead!

 

After arriving we enjoyed the view, had a snorkel with the kids and went for G’s B’Day dinner at “Basil’s Bar”. Wonderful evening.

 

PS: At the prize giving for the ARC, Clearlake II won best photographer award....!