Boxing day was spent with Ron Dunn of Topsham (did the 2009 ARC in his Sadler 29) and Dee touring the island in an open top jeep, and a leisurely lunch at Gingerbread cafe. We missed our usual family Christmas but this was one to remember never the less. Pottering on we spent some time n the Tobago Cays swimming with turtles and dealing with the many boat boys offering up all manner of wares.

Looking forward to Deb and Jules' visit we positioned ourselves at Vieux Fort at the very south of St Lucia and meet up with Ali & Richard on Vulcan Spirit again who where meeting friends off the same flight. The other highlight of this stopover was buying our new tender.

Maymio is going well with some terrific down wind sailing and speeds of 8/9 knots surfing the waves.We have found the trips north a bit more of a beatthan we would like and are yet to work out the strange currents and tides. all we do know is that they are 90% against us. Luckily it's only 0.5 - 1 kt out here. Routine aboard is a pleasure at the moment, gene working well, power management good, wi fi intermittent with booster aerial rewarding the investment in Las Palmas.

The new Avon rib is excellent (our purchasing story to follow)  and takes over from our redcrest rubber duck circa 1980 which always guaranteed a wet bottom. Rain collecting from the deck adding to our stocks so our u/s not being missed so far.

Jules has been keeping a very amusing journal whilst aboard Maymio and will write up an abridged version for our next blog entry.

Photos;

Robbie's new rib.

Rain storm in Union Island.

Wash day after the rain.

Deb and Jules at Basil's bar Mustique.

Jules at work. 

This is the Caribbean!