Ten things to do on a rainy day in Marigot Bay.

We are tied up to a mooring close by the dock of a restaurant called 'Rainforest Hideaway' in Marigot Bay, St. Lucia. And it has rained on and off since we got here twenty-four hours ago. Don't get me wrong, I love the rain, especially when it's dramatic or refreshing or warm or all three. The rain here in Marigot Bay is to be expected, one quick look at how green this island is and you have to understand that the daily average is probably one year's worth in Tel Aviv.

It's a gentle rain that comes in showers rolling in off the Atlantic, two weeks ago while still at sea we would have called them squalls. Each shower lasts around ten or fifteen minutes with enough time in between for the decks to dry completely. This climate must play havoc with the cricket. It's the kind of rain that is good to listen to while you are falling asleep or having a lie in of a morning. During our waking hours we have been opening hatches to enjoy fresh air then frantically closing them when we are surprised by the next shower. The rain falls in curtains across the bay, disturbs the surface of the water and makes the 50-foot coconut trees on the little beach look even more majestic.

Not being yet totally immersed in the laid-back island lifestyle, we often feel we should be doing something. Our best efforts at getting animated have been ruled by the rain and here they are in no particular order.

Getting rain out of the dinghy. I don't see many other crews doing this and wonder do they just not bother?

Rowing to the beach, dinghy dock, restaurant or to drop off the rubbish. Every time we decided the sun was out and we should just go for it, it rained.

Early morning Tai Chi on the beach. Rain held us back until mid-morning but I eventually managed to fifteen minutes before getting drenched.

Learning how to weave coconut palm into a basket or table decoration. Naomi was offered a woven bowl for $10. She agreed to buy one on the condition that Nelson, the weaver, would teach her how to do it. It rained more than once whilst she was getting the hang of it but neither of them seemed to notice.

Shopping for a swimsuit. Nirit has been threatening to buy a new swimsuit and a rainy day seems to present no obstacle. After trying several she's decided there's a better choice in Israel.

Sheltering from the rain with St Lucian fishermen and assorted beach bums. This is a great way to meet people and strike up a conversation - rain as a social networking tool.

Staying below decks. We did this for a couple of hours each absorbed in his or her own rainy day pastimes. I edited some video shot on the Atlantic passage and found a wireless network available to upload it.  

Sit under the cockpit awning with a cup of coffee and contemplate the rain.

Talk about leaving Marigot for another anchorage further down the coast, or maybe head north to Martinique. But who wants to sail in the rain?

Cut short any of the above activities and announce a change of plan because, "Look, I think it's stopped raining."