A New Year
Eowyn
Sat 7 Jan 2012 18:12
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Éowyn is
alongside in Rodney Bay Marina, St Lucia in position
14:04.652N 60:56.887W
We departed from Le Phare Bleu
as expected on the 28th December and had great sailing conditions, anchoring
overnight in Chatham Bay, Union Island. Unfortunately the heads had blocked
underway and I stripped it down at anchor to find a complete blockage of calcium
deposits. This is usual in tropical waters but the pipes had only been replaced
in South Africa last December so the build up had been extra rapid.
The next daysail was to Bequia
where we anchored near Daffodil and did not go ashore. It was becoming clear
that Michael and Stefanie had got their sailing experience on large sail
training ships and were not used to a small yacht. They really need a gentle
build up before undertaking an Ocean passage.
 Eowyn had also developed a
leak in the stern gland so regular pumping was needed to keep the bilges dry. I
will buy the new part in Martinique and have it fitted when we haul in
Antigua.
A start at 0530 got us to
Marigot Bay, St Lucia before dark and because of Chris's back injury, I took a
marina berth. We were alongside a German superyacht called "Drumfire", one of
the most spectacular yachts I have ever seen.
 As well as classic lines, she
is very successful in superyacht racing and certainly caught our Michael's
attention.
Paul Ferris was organising the
fireworks at Marigot so we decided to stay there for New Year, heading North on
1st January. By now, Michael & Stefanie had decided that they would not look
for an ocean going yacht in St Lucia but would return to Germany and think about
sailing again after University.
At Rodney Bay, we met Harald
& Cristel on HR40 Sophie and several other WARC participants, Heather &
Jonathan from HR42E Matilda and Caroline & David from Rustler 44 Peat Smoke.
We also had a chance meeting with Sean & Gabi from HR39 Tabasco Jazz. I
purchased a couple of Sean's used but serviceable batteries which will save me
making a stop to but new ones.
We will wave off the starters
and then head off to Martinique onward to Antigua. We do not intend to land
anywhere as Chris's back still makes the dinghy landing
difficult.
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