Martinique.
In Bridgetown Barbados.
The boat and The Rock Gibraltar.
cited in the Admiralty Mariner’s Handbook and was frequently round to the SE. We crossed early (before January) so the Trades proper had not fully developed. There was often swell from more than one direction with much rolling so sleep was lost. We reached, goose-winged, poled out and flew the gennaker. The only “incident” was the gennaker snuffer jamming 1/3 the way down as we were hit by a squall, coupled with the autohelm inexplicably gybing us: the boom brake earned its pay and the contents of the starboard book case and navigation station were quickly retrieved from the floor – and the gennaker from the sea. Barbados, St. Lucia and Martinique – Facilities for yachts in Barbados are limited so we berthed in the careenage, central Bridgetown, and at anchor in Carlisle Bay off the Barbados Yacht Club – where we celebrated Hogmanay. In the New Year, Janika Lycka headed for St. Lucia to the excellent Rodney Bay marina and the stunning scenery with the Pitons, Marigot Harbour, tropical forest – all quite different from flat Barbados. Then it was to Martinique, to be in France and back in the EU, using Euros, driving on the right and comfortable in the knowledge that the EHIC would be recognised. The huge and excellent Port du Marin marina provides every conceivable yacht service, and there are beautiful bays, and traffic to match the M8 at rush hour around the capital, Fort de France. Barbados has the best rum punch but the most difficult accent, a mix of English West country, Irish and Caribbean. The Caribbean wind is from the NE or E, F4-6 most of the time so one reaches from one spot in paradise to the next. Marina prices are fair, anchorages are free, and the chandlery and servicing facilities in many places are outstanding. So it will be some time before Janika Lycka returns to Scotland. The safe season runs from 1 December to 1 June, making time for some European summer and autumn sailing. Crew list: Gordon Campion, Murray Carmichael, Brian Tiplady, John Louden, Kai Sprenger, Susan Wilson, Linda Cooper, Dave and Val Littlewood. See our video at https://youtu.be/3zRqXY37OHw
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