A New Year

Eowyn
Sat 7 Jan 2012 18:12
 
 
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.