The wind has moderated a little but the anchorage is very roly in all directions so not very pleasant.  Our ride into the harbour was choppy, but Rustle kept us fairly dry.  We "Cleared In" and then went for a wander around the purpose built Marina Village.  There are more jewels here than ever there was during the time of pirates.  The island should not be nick named St Barts but Bond St!  If you want jewellery or fashionable boutiques, this is the place.  St Barts is duty free and attracts the well-to-do singing, acting and sports stars and is referred to as the Riviera of the Caribbean.  The island is small and its bays picturesque, despite the harbour development it has managed to keep a charming architectural style.  It is certainly a haven for super yachts and holds several cultural events each year.  We saw Lionheart, one of the J Class yachts, now registered in Amsterdam but looking magnificent.  We did our shopping and returned to Whisper. 

An interesting event occurred when I decided that Rustles air tanks were slightly overfilled as she was popping her press studs holding on her cover.  The sea was pretty choppy and she was flying everywhere as I pressed the valves to release some air.  The port tank went ok but the starboard tank decided to stay open when I tapped it.  I can tell you that the air certainly flows out more quickly than it flows in!  In seconds I was sitting on the port tube holding up the flattened starboard tube so that the sea did not flood in.  Noel's face was a picture of 'why does she do these things' as he went to find the pump, clearly not impressed, when I was only trying to help!  With both feet holding the pump and one hand holding up the collapsed tank I managed to pump up the tank which took considerably longer than it did to flatten it.  Having pumped it up when I removed the nozzle the tank started to deflate again!  There was nothing for it but to scramble back on board having first retrieved the outboard engine before it got a salt water dunking and then hoist Rustle back on deck so that Mr Fix It could see what the problem might be.  There was no problem, only that the valve has two positions, one of them allowing it to deflate without having to hold the button in.  If you ask me, a totally unnecessary booby trap which I fell into and judging by the rate that it deflated, a quite needless and ridiculous feature!

Photographs:  "Lionheart"