13:44.6N 61:00.0W

As part of our last report, we were waiting for our pals to arrive from Barbados.  The day dawned with pretty awful  weather conditions and we were sitting there wondering if they would actually make it, and if they did, in what state.  It turned out that they left in the very wee small hours and were  in Rodney Bay from early morning, but the weather on arrival - possibly combined with a touch of fatigue - persuaded them to stay put.  The welcome dinner was postponed until the following evening and was all the better for it.

Christmas kicked off early in that we were invited for lunch at a very nice villa in the Windjammer Landings complex further on south of Rodney Bay on .Christmas Eve.  The villa being rented by Babs and Paul who did the ARC on Lyra Magna.  The Salty Dogs first met these two lovely folk whilst making their way down through Galicia en route for Portugal.  Small world.   Anyway, we had a great time with them and their 4 friends.

The party continued with "Reveillon" celebratory drinks onboard Mr X - thanks Manuela (the very glamorous hostess pictured below) for sharing a very French tradition.

As there were quite a few boats other than Christine who were pretty vague to say the least regarding Christmas Day plans, the idea of an ad hoc Pontoon Party was mooted and it turned out to be a great success.  It is amazing how buckets and boarding planks can be turned into festive tables!  People turned up at well timed intervals with home cooked food and liquid refreshment and it was a great multicultural event.

Boxing Day became "Twelfth Night" as Christine underwent a tinselectomy and fairy light strip as we had taken a "now or never" stance to get underway and leave the Marina.  Very sad saying goodbye to friends still moored up, but we are bound to meet up with some and/or all of them along the way.

First stop Marigot Bay - a very pleasant 2 hour sail,  just to get the hang of things.  Lovely conditions and hot sunshine!  Boat boys hassled in place of mozzies, but we moored up but having been waved at by Lyra Magna to join them for a drink, we made it just as they were ready to head back to the Marina.   A very pleasant night onboard...then away this morning heading for Soufriere and The Pitons...the unmissable St Lucia landmarks. 

We were persuaded against going into the bay, but sailed about enjoying the fabulous views then headed on down the coast. 

That sail was a different story....fairly rough seas,  rain (yawn) Christine ploughing through some very high waves and crashing back down...being such a very strong lady, she got us to our current anchorage in Laborie.  It is a totally untouristic fishing village and from the deck looks lovely.  Having had a swim in 28 degree water, we went ashore to explore the "many" bars and not a few restaurants recommended in the guide book.  Well, we found one bar - we only need one - right?  And were waved into "Mama Tilly's" by the lady herself for some good local food.  Quite an experience and she sat and chatted with us after. 

The following morning Peter, Sandra and Alexia joined us...the chaps went off to Soufriere to check out of St Lucia whilst we basked on the beach, the two ladies for a last swim as they left later that afternoon....and we watched the local catch being brought in.  Amazing...a conch shell is blown to alert the locals and the daily catch is sold more or less off the boats...masses of tuna and one huge dorado...can't get fresher than that.

That's it for now folks...more later.

L&P xxx