Hogmanay

Swiftwing
Sun 6 Jan 2008 21:48
Hi all,
Happy New Year.
I have to say this is the way to see in the New Year, on a yacht anchored off a tropical island waiting for the fireworks display to start. For all those poor soles reading this on Claymore sorry but I had to say it.
Louise had writen a larger and much better Blog than this one but the computer crashed before she could send it, she has now gone up on deck in disgust and you are going to have to make do with my efforts.
We have had an excellent week so far, swimming in the sea or  fresh water mountain pools every day. We had the hire car for the first four days and made good use of it. We toured up over the mountains visiting some of St Lucia's tourist spots. The cocoa plantation, a local artist who makes wooden face masks that scare away evil spirits and a site where we got to fly through the jungle on death slides. (Louise particularly liked the slides with her aversion to heights.) Zaka the local artist agreed to fake his own death if we bought some of his masks so that they were sure to go up in value and while we were out and about, a local offered to buy the hire car.It was tempting as the car could not be traced to the Sutherlands and the Reids could just sail off into the sunset but Douglas's honesty prevailed.
 
Today, we have had a lazy morning not doing much but getting some food in for the holiday. We then went for an Italian ice cream before Douglas and Bev joined us from the boat. Liz the West Indian Lady who looks after our apartment came round and made us some cocoa tea which is a drink made from neat Cocoa boiled up with other spices added. After lunch we went out to Swiftwing lifted anchor and headed out of the marina and round to the beach where we anchored and swam off the boat.
We have had our Hogmanay barbie, and are waiting for the festivities to begin. One or two stray fireworks have already peppered the sky, but the main event promises to be huge.
Have a happy and healthy 2008!
George