" A LADY TRIP " THE CARRIBEAN Sailiag around the world and avoiding the recession
A Lady
Stephen Hyde
Thu 24 Dec 2009 21:17
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SATURDAY 19th December 2009
07.30 Woke up early in Marigot Bay and went for an
early swim in lovely sunshine,
10.00 We sailed out of Marigot bay bound for Rodney
Bay.
14 30 we drove to the supermarket and got
some provisions for Christmas week, we met Jason and his Daughter "
Jasmine" at the supermarket and gave them a lift back to the marina when we were
done with the shopping. Jason was moored next to us in Las Palmas,
16.30 We got the shuttle bus to the PRIZE giving,
this turned out to be a very well organised event with lot of familys and
friends attending,
It was held in a NIGHT CLUB, which was in fact an
old warehouse or factory, and located about a mile from the Marina.
A LADY collected 4 prizes, including a bottle of
Champaigne from "OYSTER" for our performance, and first prize for
the PAINTING on the Quay wall
in Las Palmas. Mind you, this was entirley
thanks to AILEEN, who kept the skipper under pressure to do one and also
suggested the shape and colours
and also reserved the space on the wall
.
Even though we were first across the line
and finished 8 hours ahead of the next boat in our class,
( which was also an OYSTER 56 ) we
finished 3rd because we used our engine,
SARABI was first,
GWYLAN was second,
A LADY was
third,
WIND FLOWER was fourth .
The above were all Oyster 56's and all used their engines as well as ourselves............
Less than 3 hours seperated the four boats after 15 days at sea..
It was a great crossing, in a great boat, with
a great crew, and a great prize giving night to finish the event.
SUNDAY 20th December 2009
09.00 we went to the shop for more provisions, and
later departed in the jeep to collect our new crew for Christmas,
SARAH, STEFAN , and PAUL
O'SULLIVAN.
They were 1 1/2 hours late as the flight was
delayed due to snow.
We drove straight back to the boat ( a journey of 1
1/2 hours) There was a swopping of cards and other items going
back ,
We had dinner ashore and an early night as the
guests had a long day. ( the guest's Sarah and Stefan are our two youngest kids
)
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
MONDAY 21st December 2009.
08.30 ALL up and about,
09.30 We all went off in the jeep to
" Castries" . the main town of St
Lucia, where the Skipper had an appointment with Dr A.Lalsing , a
Dermatologist.
She burnt off all the sun damaged areas on the
skip's body, including his face, this was done electronically, and the smell of
burning skin was not plesent,
The boss looked like a war vetern returning from
Afganistan,
12.30 we set off to have lunch in SOUFerrie
and later went to view the only active VALCANO in the Carribbean,
Both events were only just OK, but they took
all day.
19.00 we arrieved back to the Marina and Ate ashore
,
An earley night , after a night cap.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
TUESDAY 22nd DECEMBER 2009
Dropped off the rent a car/jeep , topped up the
water on the boat and set sail for Marigot Bay, A distance of about 9 miles or
so.
12.30 we tied to a mooring after a 1 1/2 hour trip
and having caught and released a large fish.
This time we moored outside , where there was more
wind to keep us cool at night,
We all dived over the side into that lovely pale
blue water to cool off,, and we spent lots of time in the water, during the rest
of the day.
Later all, but the skipper went ashore to do a bit
of scouting around.
The Skipper prepared a roast leg of lamb for
dinner, which was savagely consumed by all later.
22.00 We went to DooLittles for a few Rum &
coke's, when we returned to " A LADY" we were joined by our neighbour from his
23 foot
steel hulled boat he had sailed on his own from
London, GRAB THAT Last year " Mark" decided to take a year off from his
own Cabinet making buisness.
So he bought the little yacht, rented his
appartment for 12 months, and off he went, cool man. real cool. ( the boat was
the neatist thing you ever saw )
After lots of chat with Mark, we all went to a late
bunk,, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
WEDNESDAY 23 rd DECEMBER 2009
08.00 We set sail for " the blue lagoon " on
the south side of St, Vincent Island, a distance of approx 65
miles,
The wind was fresh, very fresh, 25/30 knots and
gusting over 40 knots at times, it was a beam reach and we made good
time,
The sea state was moderate with the odd rouge wave,
which duely drenched some of the bunks, as not all hatches and port holes were
closed properly.
We had lots of chat with the office at home and
included Paul Hyde, Veronica, Lizz, Donal Mc Clement, and others,
After a great sail, we arrived at the " Blue
Lagoon" but the sea state was too rough to attempt an entry through the very
narrow gap
in the coral reef that surrounded blue lagoon, so
we continued on to " BEQUIA " and arrieved into Port Elizabeth at approx
17.00hrs..
The place was packed with boat's of every
decription, We got a good mooring from one of the local " Boat
Boys"
This was followed by Lots of Gin & Tonics and
we had a tasty chicken dish on board for Dinner,
We had Looooveellyy Loooooong discussions
about our FRIEND'S and so they wouldent feel left out, we also included a
great debate
about our less friendly brethern ,,
Very late night , followed by some sore heads the
following morning......ZZ zzzzz ZZZZ Ohhhhhhh
THURSDAY 24th December 2009
09.00. A very shakey start to the
day
10.00 We all went swimming off the
boat, a great way to shake off the cobwebs.
11.00 Aileen drove Sarah ashore in the
rib , while The Skipper, Stefan and Paul washed down and polished the boat, and
in the process
nearly emptied the main water tank, so we had
to put on the water maker and replenish our stock to some degree. but she only
makes
60ltrs an hour instead of 120 , which she is
supposed to do......
13.00 We had a cheese and crackers lunch and
were joined by CLIEVE DEASEY ,
Clieve and his wife Alice, (both Architects , and
from Cork ) are now Skipper and first mate on a SWAN 56 , called Lolita and
spend
most of their time between the U.S . and the
Carribbean,, Nice nice.
As its CHRISTMAS EVE , we are all set to go to MASS
at 17.00 hrs and dinner ashore later and celebrate with the locals
.
There will be lots of music and singing, including
Christmas Carroll's
ENJOY ,,, HAPPY CHRISTMAS
EVERYBODY
Signed Stephen Hyde,
Skipper
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