Just another day in Paradise

Zepher
Chris & Lyn Darch
Tue 25 Dec 2007 22:45
Well folks here we are on Christmas Day.  Now here's the bit that will make everyone else green with envy:we are at anchor in St Anne's bay so it is cooler than in Marin Marina, off a beach with waving palmtrees. We're just watching the sun go down over the sea:pinks and oranges fading into yellows and blues with dark blue cumulus clouds.  C'est immense!  and the description in no way does justice to the view.  It's still c28 degrees and very comfortable here in the cockpit.
 
We left the marina early this morning for the day.  We were assisted by our neighbour, the aimiable Rapael, who volunteered to hold the buoy off our bow to allow us to escape.(We think he's bored with a life of leisure and wants to play.)  After a lot of huffing and puffing with Roger remaining remarkably cool, we motored out of the berth, and made a bold move of 3 miles through the coral reef guarding the anse de Marin (complete with 2 wrecked sailing boats) to this bay.  There is a steady 15 knots of wind from the east,which takes the edge off the heat. 
 
In the morning Chris attempted to teach Roger how to scuba dive.  All a great success although Roger as a novice used about 3 times the oxygen that Chris needed.  There were a lot of bubbles being blown by one party!  They practiced evolutions in the approved Navy style until lunch - wonderful salad and nibbles fromLyn augmented by chips for the famished divers,washed down with champagne to get us into an even more festive mood.  Then we went ashore for an ice cream and walked along the beaches, before coming back for a swim and a hot shower on the transom.  Bliss!
 
Lyn has cooked a turkey,and we are to have Christmas pudding.The debate seems to centre about the uses and abuses of the tin of brussels sprouts that Chris bought in the supermarket.  The latest idea from himself is that he wants to crearte a table decoration with a sprout. 
 
Tomorrow we go to pick up Sharon and Rob from airport, and (I hope!) my luggage, which didn't arrive with me from Orly.  Then we can have more presents,as well as allowing me to access more underwear and my own clothes!  Buying new is wonderful, but I haven't yet found anywhere to buy knickers and bras!
 
Happy Christmas to all
Margaret (that's Mrs Roger)