Ryan and I said our goodbyes to Patrick, Isabella and Silas as they sped away from Oboe in African’s pirogue to connect only a few hundred yards away with the land taxi that would take them to Bequia airport.  We will miss them.  They have been lovely guests and are now friends of Oboe and hopefully we will meet up with them again soon.  We took the afternoon off – I fell asleep in the comfort of the master’s suite and Ryan went ashore not to be seen again till next morning; that is to say I didn’t see him as my sleep, punctuated only by a cup of tea of two, saw me through to morning!  Ryan met up with some interesting Canadians and Norwegians and was able to indulge his passion for wooden boats.  How he puts up with Oboe being a plastic boat I don’t really know as he believes that if God meant boats to made of plastic he would have created plastic trees!  Oh well perhaps he recognises other dimensions to his job as first mate of Oboe D’Amore!

After a morning of chores, including taking delivery of a splendid set of cockpit cushions made by Bequia Canvas to further enhance the luxury feel of the yacht, we set sail for St Vincent and under full sail hard on the wind, we were there in no time and here we are still, about to spend our second night in Young Island Cut “parked” more closely than I’ve ever been before, rather anxious about the huge catamaran swinging around next to us by the name of Sky Flirt (ugh...).

African of Bequia has a good friend here, Robert, who claims to be half Irish and half Scottish although it is hard to see how that could be.  Regardless, he is a lovely man who has ferried us around today to various supermarkets to provision the boat for Christmas and New Year.  Despite his efforts we failed to find eggs and bizarrely limes and lemons!  However, a call to his wife and a few hours later another new friend of ours by the name of Roosevelt Scotland or is it Scotland Roosevelt, whistles from the shore and beckons us to the local bar.  On arrival he presents us with two dozen eggs and a gift of a dozen Golden Apples from his garden.  Robert dropped off the eggs and the apples were just because Scotland likes us!  Our first experience of St Vincent is a very positive one despite its reputation of being crime-ridden and dangerous.

The eggs survived the dinghy ride back to the boat after a couple of rum punches –  to steady the nerves you understand.  Time to turn in as tomorrow the Howes family arrives from different directions, meeting up for the holidays and joining up with another boat load of friends for an extended cruise of the Grenadines, with which Ryan and I are now becoming more familiar.  It will soon be Christmas Eve so we wish you all a wonderful time wherever you are and we say a special Happy Christmas to our families and loved ones as far away as UK and Australia.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM THE SKIPPER AND MATE (OH ARRRRH...) OF OBOE D’AMORE