22/02/10-26/02/10 RORC Caribbean 600 Race, 541nm, 10,908nm Total

The RORC Caribbean 600 race is 600nm race around or near the Carib islands of Antigua, Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba, St Barths, St Martin, Guadeloupe, Isles de Saintes, Marie Galante and Redonda passing the smoky volcano of Montserrat along the way. The crew besides ourselves were, Trevor, Martin and Mirjam and Sam. For a lot of the time we were racing we were apparently well placed in the fleet, and actually led overall for some of the time, so we obviously made some right choices with the sails and course. However, with just over half the course completed, the wind decided to go on holiday and we drifted around and going backwards for nearly 24 hours with the forecast of nothing for the next few days so we had to retire and motor back to Antigua. When we got back we had a great reception and were told that we had actually made it into the local newspapers as we led the big boats - sad then that we couldn't actually complete the race. Anyway we had a great time while it lasted.



Sunset from the Antigua Yacht Club before the race.

The view from Shirley Heights looking over English and Falmouth harbours

Another on from Shirley Heights with the smoke from Montserrat drifting across the sun

Crew photo (minus Sam) at Shirley Heights the night before the race

Miriam gets to grips with the wheel

I pretend that I know what I'm doing at the Nav station

Sam shows off his skills on the wheel

Trevor takes his turn while Dawn works hard trimming

The wind starts to go light while Great Escape (52ft yacht) tries to catch us up again!

But the trimming goes on....

and the wind gets lighter and the trimming more urgent

Great Escapes comes up with some wind from behind us.

And then we retired - yes this is the Caribbean sea where the trade winds blow all the time..NOT!!!!

Grumpy skipper reflecting on the retirement with Martin on the long motor home.

Dawn deals with the disappointment in her own way

24 hours later and the sea still doesn't have a ripple of breeze

What else to do? Martin and Mirjam take photos of the sunset with the smoke from Montserrat in the distance.

Food is always a good answer to disappointment so Trevor sets to in the galley.

And one last final sunset with no wind!

25/12/09-21/02/10 St.Lucia to Antigua, 550nm, 10367nm Total

After the crew had all gone home we had a visit from Mum and Dad Bamford who were glad to get away from the snow and ice back in the UK for a while - the snow and ice extending their stay by a week longer than planned as Gatwick airport got closed down! Then it was off south to Bequia and Tobago Cays for a while to swim with the turtles, then back up the chain of islands to Antigua to get ready for the next race. Highlights were, seeing Mum in a boat and enjoying it - twice! -Dad finally getting expert tutition on the art of snorkelling from Dawn, swimming with turtles, a fairwell party or two in St.Lucia with Johnny who once again showed us the real St.Lucian hospitality and meeting many of our new friends up and down the islands as we travelled. Lowlights, Mum breaking her wrist two days after getting back to the snow and ice!!

Have braids will travel - Dawn's hairdresser comes to the boat in Marigot Bay

The finishing touches

Mum and Dad get a lift from John and Liz to the restaurant

New Year celebrations on Reduit beach outside the yacht club with Mum and Dad and John and Liz from Jalan Jalan

And the fireworks weren't just out on the streets!

Looking down on the marina from Rodney Heights

Horse rides at the Castries 3 day post New Year party

Centre stage - it was so loud even Dad could hear it - even if he didn't want to! (Sorry Dad)

Fancy a banana?

Traditional recipe for cocoa that doesn't come out of a tin!

Looking down on Marigot Bay

Inside one of the local churches during a tour of the island

A tour of an old plantation

And we all got to try stuff!

The view down to Souffriere from the plantation

Demonstration of splitting coconuts

One of the original workers huts

And lots of different trees and plants

Crushing the sugar beet for a refreshing drink

Another view of the Pitons

Our taxi driver/guide Issac and wife Kathy

Apparently I was the only one who needed freshening up!

An aerial tour of the rain forest

and the plants in it

You surely didn't think I'd remember the names did you?

Biggest caterpillar I've ever seen

Relaxing at Reduit Beach

It was really hard work...

Then Mums favourite day - 4 hours on high speed fishing boat!

And we're off out of Rodney Bay

And Mum still looks comfortable between Dad and Liz

Dad get s to grips with snorkels and masks to survey the reef

And we all got back in one piece!

A stroll for lunch on Pigeon Island

Not a bad view to help the digestion

Just before we set off from St.Lucia, Dawn stocks up with fruit from the "Flagman"

And then to Tobago Cays and the turtles

With the odd inquisitive fish thrown in

And the biggest starfish I've seen

But the turtles were the stars of the place

And the boat boys brought round lunch - all for GBP20 or NZD50!! It did 4 meals...

Landfall once again

Relaxing in the Isles de Saintes - it wasn't a tough trip but you can never relax enough!

And the sunsets over the anchorage were spectacular

The scenery wasn't shabby either!

Mostly!

Did I say the sunsets were spectacular?!