St Lucia

Of course the most awaited arrival were the girls on Arc Angel who arrived in some style by dressing up as Angels with wings. Much to the delight of local TV who filmed their arrival together with Martin and Bones attacking them from the dinghy.

After several glasses of rum punch and bottles of bubbly, we made it to the poolside bar by mid afternoon, where we stayed until first light. Needless to say nobody survived without getting dunked including Martin who in the early hours of the morning could be seen chasing a defrocked Angel in his underpants, (Bones Comment- a site never to be forgotten). It was karaoke night in the bar, and Diva playing the boys with Arc Angel playing the girls did a wonderful drunken rendition of Summer Nights from Grease.

Several days were spent whiling away the time on the beach anxiously awaiting the results which unlike previous years they were keeping close to their chest.

Prize giving night arrived on Saturday with nine boats yet to finish. We believed we had done quite well in our Division, when the results were announced in reverse order the Diva crew jumped for joy with high fives as Diva was declared the winner of Division F. A foot taller the Diva crew collected the trophy to a rapturous applause. That night we celebrated with the Arc Angels who had achieved third in their Division. The next day we found out we were 26th overall which included two Racing Divisions. Overall for the Cruising Divisions we achieved 8th.

Our plan was to spend Christmas in Marigot Bay. But our first port of call was Soufriere, accompanied by our friends Shilling to take in the local culture.

A trip to the hot Diamond Baths built by Louis the 16th .Our taxi driver suggested we visit a hot waterfall. Where reportedly bathing takes four years off you but we negotiated a five year reduction. We all took at least four dips, Bones demanded his money back.

Christmas Eve found us in Marigot Bay where an impromptu rendezvous with other Arc boats was arranged on Accolade (Amel Super Maramu 53). Christmas morning was spent phoning family and opening presents. Accolade hosted an afternoon drinks party which turned out to be a bit of a sing song. Denis and Chris strumming their guitars including the exclusive rendition of Trade Wind Blues, composed on the Arc crossing.

Janet on Shilling produced the full Monty Christmas dinner. Together with a Christmas pudding prepared by Diva.

The following night was spent at the local jump up JJ's where Bones volunteered Tanya to dance with Red Hot Willy on stage. Apparently it reached the top of her naval. That night Simeon took over as the local ferryman, as the local chap was still smoking a spliff. Clutching a 75 hp tiller steered dinghy we were given an around the bay tour at some speed.

Sadly we said goodbye to Red Hot Dancer Tanya who returned to the UK for New Years Eve nursing duties. Diva set sail for the Grenadines.

St Lucia gave us an opportunity to continue in the spirit of the ARC. By partying, partying, partying. Every boat arrival gave us an opportunity to celebrate and there were 120 boats after us.