Dougie and Bev met Sheila and I at Vigie airport, then took us by taxi to Rodney Bay marina. Welcomed aboard there by John, crewmember and master of all trades. Following Boat-familiarisation, we sped off on the rib to Pigeon Island for a swim. Water was gloriously warm in the sea, 29-30 degrees, heated by the sun, only 30 degrees North of the equator.

The following day was a mega-shop, filling two trolleys from the supermarket. John escaped on a dive boat, plunging over 30 meters into the sea and witnessing two enormous stingrays (he claims). He then went above sea level, up the, mast to give routine maintenance to the mast and rigging (spinnaker halyard now re-rigged, John Mactaggart). After a dip in the marina pool, we set off in the dark with Doody to the favourite Indian, Razzmatazz. A fine meal was enjoyed by all but the heavens opened. Shelter was found on the veranda of a house (unknown to occupants), fortunately, the weather cleared up and the crew returned to Swiftwing relatively dry.

Today, after fuelling up and clearing out at customs, we enjoyed an exhilarating sail South to Marigot Bay. The anchorage lived up to it’s reputation as one of the best in the Caribbean. After lunch, John, Sheila and I went ashore, leaving the newly-weds for some quiet contemplation (Bev made doughnuts and Dougie ate them).

Having returned and consumed what was left of Bev’s doughnuts (recipe emailed from Granny at Killin. A late afternoon swim in the shallows on the bay, next to a coral reef where Dr. Doolittle was filmed in the 60’s. Wonderful sunset as the palm trees were silhouetted against the western horizon. Sun-downers were consumed prior to a mouth-watering barbeque which was a joint effort by Bev and Dougie. Chicken was augmented by the usual trimming in addition to fried plantain (a local vegetable from the banana family).

We are now sitting under the stars, being entertained by water-taxis plying their trade to the local restaurants. This is the life of kings.

Tomorrow we the plan is to sail 50 miles South to a reputedly delightful location in St. Vincent where parts of Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed. The bad news is that the Skipper has announced a departure time of 0800 hours to the consternation of the crew.

Douglas