Turquoise Seas, Phospherence & Rum

Wed, Jan 13, 3.02pm Irish Time 11.02am Caribbean time - Niall MacAllister,

Hey there

Well we made it to the Caribbean, glorious sunshine heat like you could not believe. We finally cleared customs and immigration in antigua and departed to guadalupe. The sail was one of the best I've ever had warm wind sunshine turquoise sea screaming past white sandy beaches, relishing in the spray that hits your face. when we got to Guadalupe it was dark but that didn't stop us ting into our togs and jumping overboard in to luke warm very salty water with the phospherence illuliminating all around us. We were like school children allowed to play in the pool.

Up early next morning to sail to Dominica and again another magnificent sail to a very hauntingly beautiful island where we managed to arrive in daylight and get some snorkling in. Then on to the beach to wander along the coconut trees. That night we dinghied ashore and took in the local rum which went down a storm.

Fionnuala was lucky enough to see a turtle when in for an evening dip - Hugh got himself or suited and booted with snorkle mask and flippers to venture out and discover the underwater world - but didn't see a thing, better luck next time Hugh.
Next day up early again and on to martinique where the wind got up to 25 knots so we were screaming along and made record time and enabled us to go ashore and wander around the village and do internet stuff.

On to Barbados this afternoon and over to Aengus for some crew blogging ---

I believe it has become my responsibility to keep a blog of this 'fast action' trip around the caribean... First let me say... our feet have not hit the ground since the Snow...
Sorry to have left you all with the cleaning up. That is, if is still not snowing. Actually all of us here in the sun don't give a fiddler's if it is!

Just to let you all know.... we are fine, including the child! (who's in bed by 8pm)

The yacht isn't too bad. Slam's a lot and could do with a new set of sails.... and Apart from having to rebuild the two 'heads'... but I promise more on that in a later posting

Of course, no names will ever be mentioned here on the blog, but those who know us will know what is what...

We are about to leave St. Pierre in Martinique for Barbados. Why, don't ask me.... something to do with Mile building.... why paper can't take ink and we can't hang on here I don't know.
I found the local 'House of Ill repute' last night... and the local Rum and the Salsa Lesson thrown are definitely worth hanging around for.

I will do me best as we 'beat' to windward later today and tonight compose some more of this blog.... but for the moment... enjoy the pictures.
Aengus O'Fearghail

NB
Unfortunately, I am updating this blog with "dial up" and download time for Aengus's photos was 2 1/2 hours (is Eircom or the government listening? - we need broadband in Adrigole - fast!). I will go to a wifi spot tomorrow and download the lovely piccies. Gail