Annette's Birthday Party
NORDLYS
David and Annette Ridout
Thu 11 Dec 2008 16:03
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Annette's Birthday
Party
Bequia
13:00N 61:14.3W
11th December 2008
Early on in 2008 I had planned to hold a small
party for Annette who was due to have a 'big' birthday on the 10th
December. What I had no idea at that stage was just what efforts people
would make to come. In the end 28 of us sat down yesterday to
celebrate. Two Catamarans with sixteen Lymingtonians on board, Don
and Cathryn Kelshall from Trinidad, John and Chris Lytle who had flown from
Trinidad because their boat was stuck in Trinidad awaiting spare parts, Mike and
Lynn from South Africa in Indigo, the Catamaran they sailed from Simon's Town at
the same time as we did. My own birthday had been celebrated in Ascension
Island onboard Indigo. Wilhelm and Angela of the very interesting yacht
Belle Brise. We had met and become friends with them in Madagascar and had
shared many adventures there, in Mozambique and sailing down the South African
coast. Finally Hugh and Roo made it with just twelve hours to
spare.
The evening before we had started the festivities
with a drinks party given be Don and Cathryn in the house of a friend.
This house was perched on a steep hillside and from the balcony we had a
memorable view across towards Mustique and of the setting sun. An
excellent way for everyone to get in the party mood. The story of the 10th
itself is best told in pictures, especially as I am not using my iridium phone
to send this!
 As dawn broke we dressed the old lady overall, as did Belle
Brise and one of the catamarans.
 Soon we were boarded by swimmers
 Mid morning we went two miles inland to the Bequia Firefly
hotel. They were well prepared for the invasion,
both in the open dinning area and
 by the pool Rodney had his bar ready for the onslaught.
 Arthur was soon at home in the pool, here with Grandma and
Daddy.
 A few rum punches and who cares that two ladies had been to
the same shop.
Here Annette is with Cathryn Kelshall.
 Three 'young men' watch the world go by.
 Jane with two drinks! Sebastian was soon into the spirit of
the place on this his
first visit to the Caribbean.
 Hugh and Roo had sailed in just twelve hours before kick
off to everyone's delight
 Josef, the youngest party goer, behaved perfectly
 As at Annette's 50th we ran the show in the Danish way.
Here the best voices of
the Brockenhurst Coral Society sang some very unchoral words
about the lady of the day
to everyone's amusement.
 Cat one's crew added to the hilarity. As did several
others. The standard was very high indeed
and the poetry composing of many of the guests was
amazing.
 The heroine of the hour reduced us all to helpless laughter in
her thank you speech.
 Arthur helped Grandma blow out the candle.
 I end with the team photograph of all 28 of us.
The partying continued back in a harbour bar and on
one of the catamarans. By the time the final glass of wine and the final
bit of pizza had been eaten it was late at night and I for one feel slightly
rough this morning. Thank goodness Annette does not have too many
birthdays!
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