08/03/2003

Stow-aways are usually unwelcome, easy to acquire and difficult to get rid of and we hope we have managed to keep clear of an infestation by cockroaches, but we still have a few tiny ants which came aboard in English Harbour.  However our last lot of stow-aways have been very welcome, arrived after a long and tiring journey and left without physical trace a week later but with some very happy memories.  We have thoroughly enjoyed having Lynn and Ian aboard to share our chilled out existence. Their first taste of open water sailing was a fast and furious sail to St. Vincent heavily reefed and as we approached the north end of the island the wind, as it usually does,  piped up by 10 knots and we reduced even more.  We slipped into the little bay at Petit Byahaut where there is a small and delightful hotel and restaurant accessible only by sea.  The meal ashore was one of the best we have had in the Caribbean and the seared fresh tuna (almost raw) was real melt in the mouth stuff.  After enjoying the snorkling on the reef in the bay the next day we close reached across the 10 miles to Bequia,.  As we approached we were met by the local marine photographer in a small rib braving the big seas and 25 knot wind and were very pleased to be presented (for a fee) with some excellent photographs of Oriole storming along under reduced sail.  Unfortunately this photo was badly scanned and looks as if we are heading downhill!

It all looked very precarious and we understand it would not have been the first time if photographer and camera had ended up in the water.  Our plan had been to allow Lynn and Ian a couple of days to relax in Bequia before flying back to the UK, and we had a great time exploring the island, swimming from the lovely and almost deserted Princess Margaret Beach and sampling the shoreside eating establishments.  The jump-up at the Frangipani complete with steel band had us all trying to emulate the locals whose natural dance rhythm is a sensuous fluid movement which Europeans do not seem able to achieve.   We reluctantly waved the Dewars into their air-taxi which took off into an approaching squall.  We have now heard that they arrived home safely and are busy catching up on rugby!   Over the last week Andrew has completed his trial month as crew on the 180 foot schooner Adela and has now signed a contact, we know not for how long.   Although we have not seen him we understand from friends on the radio net that he does not stop smiling.