Thursday 22nd Update

Pau Amma
Matthew Shaw
Thu 22 Dec 2011 21:15
Tuesday 20th - We sailed from Rodney bay down to the Pitons in about 20 knots of wind - jib only for a relaxed introduction back to sailing for the new crew. The Pitons are incredible (2 very steep sided mountains) - Petit Piton is incredibly steep. The boys and I snorkelled and saw some very good fan corals and sponges, a good assortment of fishes. There was a bit a swell which made for a slightly disturbed nights sleep but a wonderful setting anchored between the two Pitons.

Wednesday 21st - We wok up in good time and set off down the coast for Laborie. A small village where no tourists come. Its great to see local life the way that it really is. Yesterday evening a yacht went hard aground on one of the tricky reefs in the entrance to the bay. This morning we saw another yacht do exactly the same. The chart for the bay is totally incorrect and shows rocks where there are none and deep water where there are reefs - incredibly dangerous. Eyeball navigation and local knowledge saved us for our entrance in this morning. Lunch at the "Blue Ocean" - a small wooden shack with a tin roof - consisted of fried fish, macaroni cheese, rice and other trimmings. All up for 4 of us for about £12. Perfect! We have had a fund time swimming off the boat and relaxing. The wind is still very strong - locally known as "Christmas Winds" - hopefully they will mellow a little for us to make passage to Bequia maybe Friday. I will get the bus to Soufriere tomorrow to deal with customs and immigration.

Thursday 22nd - More swimming and snorkelling! I took a bus to Vieux Fort and sorted Customs and Immigration, so we now have 72 hours to leave. We are still hoping to get to Bequia - maybe tomorrow, wind depending. Its lovely to spend a day doing nothing more than a bit of boat cleaning and swimming (after the busy bus to Vieux Fort of course). Remind me to tell anyone interested about the challenges involved in mooring. Its quite an art!

Also - just to let everyone know that I have given up with my UK Mobile number, the best way to try and get hold of us if you need to is by my E Mail. I have managed to get a local mobile but reception is poor and call costs high! All best M F L & G