Ever ree ting Safe (like Jah Jah Briefcase)

Approaching St Lucia. First land in over 20 days!! Raising the St Lucian flag.

Well, we the humble crew of Vega 1494 can now really say that we have come a long way: Down the Elbe, turn left.......... a right turn at the Cape Verdes & now here we are in January sitting in shorts & T-shirts sipping pina colada IN THE CARIBBEAN!!

We arrived in St Lucia on Wednesday 2nd at mid-day local time. After clearing customs the No. 1 priority was our first showers in 33 days - man that was good! Next up was my fave pizza place in St Lucia (well, the only one I went to back in 99). As luck would have it it is one of few places which serve the local Piton beer ice-cold in a frozen glass - I was in heaven by this time!

After satisfying our hunger we headed back to the marina and the Bosuns bar where we were chuffed to be enthusiastically greeted by our friend Neil, who we had got to know back in La Rochelle. We knew he had done the ARC but we didnt think he wld still be here! Anyway, Neil introduced us to all his mates & the upshot is that we now have loads of fun, young people to hang out with.

You will notice I havnt mentioned the crossing itself. THis is because it was horrible & I haven't the time or the inclination to find the words to describe how much we disliked it. I shall simply say that we are thrilled to have made it here and leave it at that.

Some stats: Total distance: 2212 nautical miles. Total time: 20 days, 6.25 hours.

We now look fwd to day-sails, idylic anchorages, beach bars & good company here in the tropics.
:)