Boat party before race on Silver Bear with Ali,Ray and Lara, music courtesy of "Young Patrick" on the ukelele
Billy No Mates kiwi recruits trainee to accompany her and the flag at the opening flag carrying parade.
The pre-ARC dinghy race, the object of which was to try to sink the opposition before they sank you!
Boat party on Dolfijn with our Spanish friends Leyla and Vicoria - music by Young Patrick (again!) with Seamus O'Hooligan on the spoons as ever!
Dawns cabin was converted into a pantry and general store for the voyage.
Trying to sort out our "reefed" spinnaker - it isn't supposed to twist itself around the front like that!
The "Ballerina Twins" share the only flying fish we got that was big enough to cook - apparently it tasted like sardine.
Paul pretending to cook breakfast
Seamus (Jim) come over all dramatic in one of the quieter moments.
The goes down below to complete his journal - condition of him coming was to keep a journal everyday for his family to understand how mentally disturbed he was during the trip!
After 7 days it was time for a shave in the sweatbox that was the below decks.
Another ARC boat (Momo) in the middle of the Atlantic - something ver weird about being so close to another boat so far from land.
But they took some great pictures of us (as we did of them) although this was one of the calmest days we had, the size of the waves never really come out on photos.
Or maybe they do sometimes?
And then we were off on our way and they on theirs.
Shortly after meeting Momo Richard was up the mast to sort a problem and Momo came over to check we were all OK - nice to know other people are looking out for you.
Dawn and Jim struggle with the genoa to get it under control and safe onc eit was dropped on deck for repair.
Whilst Richard pretends to wash up some dishes.
Paul and Jim go in for a marathon stiching session to repair the genoa before it can be used again.
Some of the squalls looked spectacular from a distance.
But could be miserable close up....
And there were no pots of gold floating around at the end of the rainbows either!
Life was lived at an angle for a lot of the trip.
But the foredeck man found time to burn patterns into his skin - so much for vanity eh Joe!
The present from our Spanish friends in Las Palmas spent the trip looking out of the window..
Sunsets were quite often as spectacular as the squalls.
Jim (Seamus) hard at work packing the spinnaker again.
Nearing the finish line the St.Lucian courtesy flag goes up the mast.
Someone happy to be close to the finish!
As soon as we tied up we were met by an always smiling Johnny bearing gifts of fruit and rum punch - no guesses for which was finished first!
And so began one of the many post mortems of the race!
The mujahadeen otherwise known as Paul with a fruit basket on his head! OK so 17 days at sea does something to your sense of humour....
Dancers at one of the many welcome parties as more boats arrived.
Along with the Steel Pan Bands.
Then we were clearing up the mess that was left after the race - packing the ripped spinnaker ready for mending.
While our neigbours in the marina - Captain Tom and Dell - showed off their catch of the day.
Another post race debrief with the mujahadeen having taken over the burka.
We all took an island tour and tasted casava bread - this is the flour being made. Be careful not to go swimming after eating as it is very heavy!
The warm springs near the volcano gave a welcome break from the heat and humidity.
And somehow helped heal a lot of cuts and grazes along with shedding lots of dead skin - pity the poor people after us!
This one was hotter than a normal bath....
Sunsets over the marina could be as spectacular as at sea.
Costume party and Dawn meets the "Gay Australian" otherwise know as Young Patrick minus ukelele.
Prize giving party, sadly after Jim had left for the UK.
But we managed to have a good time anyway.
Marigot Bay - our escape from Rodney Bay marina was great.
The view from the top of the hill was special too.
A day out sailing with Johnny and three of his children - Richard teaching them to helm.
Johnny and the two boys - Paj and Jordan.
Playing in the dinghy.
Paul and Richard keeping a watchful eye on Miracle while swimming off the boat at Marigot Bay.
The two lads climbing back on the boat.
Final meal with Paul before his departure the following day - local restuarant at Marigot Bay where you dinghy in for dinner.
View of the famous Pitons of St Lucia from the boat.
Local Boat Lad selling some fresh tuna as we anchored off the Pitons for the night. If you haggled enough he even cleaned and chopped the fish for you.
