Mischief - Log Day 20: The final run in to St Lucia

9 December 2017 0830 Position 14 degs 10.1'N 058 degs 55.14'W

So here we are at last. Welcome to our last full day at sea.

Compared to the night before, last night was a complete contrast - the sky has been clear, the stars are out and the moon, when it deigned to make an appearance, was bright. There was not even a hint of a squall. The wind was up at 21 knots from the North East and the sea was building all night as predicted. Mischief was on a non-stop roller coaster ride managing an average of around 8 knots and occasionally as high as 13 knots as we surfed the waves. Very exhilarating stuff. We were certainly eating the miles and so the discomfort that comes with being thrown all around the cabin was entirely worth it. We did though succumb to the second reef in the main as the breeze was up at 26 knots and were pleased to note no speed reduction but a significant lessening of the strain on the self steering. The ETA on the chart plotter has been swinging wildly on the surfing but it seems to be settling on Sunday morning sometime, wind and therefore speed dependant.

There was an absolutely gorgeous sunrise this morning with no cloud to block the sun as it rose over the Eastern horizon. The wind remained at 24 knots constant and we were creaming along under poled out genoa still and two reefs in the main. At 0830 we had around 145 miles to run and we are keeping a constant eye on this distance figure as it tumbles as our speed maintains at 7-9 knots; great sailing.

Neal was preparing a cooked breakfast, a tradition on the last morning, quite a task with the boat acting as if it were a bucking bronco. Dave called down to see if the nav lights had been switched off and I responded for him saying yes, Alf had done it earlier. Neal called back with, "No, I switched them off, Alf doesn't do menial tasks!" There is a together watch team for you.

So, the boat has been careering along all day now in plenty of wind and the miles are falling off. We may have missed the Friday night Jump Up which was our target arrival date yesterday, and neither now will we make the Saturday night we were promising ourselves as the hold ups earlier in the passage now all come to fruition. But we are now very likely to arrive early morning St Lucia time, around 0530 latest estimate as the wind is now starting to abate as was forecast and will drop to around 12-15 knots over night then less still tomorrow, Sunday. There are several boats all around us both visually and on AIS as all courses converge towards the top of the island and we head West in glorious sunshine towards sunset.

I cooked a roast chicken dinner this evening wrapped in bacon with roast potatoes etc. We have eaten well on board I believe, even if I should say so myself. But mainly it has been down to the quality of the produce we received in Las Palmas with particular reference to the meat, the veggies less so although the potatoes and onions have lasted 'til today - perfect timing. We still do have a load of eggs though.

As Alf has somehow skillfully avoided all cooking duties it has been decreed by the Skipper that he buys the meal ashore when we get there. This may lose something in translation but I think he understands fully, just acting as if he doesn't! But it is alcohol that is absolute priority at the moment - everyone is fed up of the enforced three week abstinence; Neal was practically begging to open the bottles of white wine in the fridge with dinner. We have however put the beer in the fridge to cool down and were disappointed to find there are only enough for two tins each which will not even touch the sides. I suppose storage space has been short but beer is the one thing not to be rationed surely. Trouble is if we arrive at 0530 into Rodney Bay on a Sunday how many pubs are going to be open I ask?? I suppose we have Finnish Wodka that Alf has donated to the cause and there is a bottle of Plymouth gin somewhere so we won't go entirely without on reflection. Oh, plus there will be the rum punch presented as we land so we will be plastered before breakfast with luck!!

In fact in preparation we are allowed to have showers this evening in anticipation of arrival. We have the Yellow quarantine flag flying but I think after our showers we will each be mostly presentable.

So on we drag on to the island in a lessening breeze on our last evening afloat. Lets hope it doesn't turn out to be a frustration again. Anticipation is high on board as to who spots the island lights first, so as I am presently supposed to be on watch I had better go and keep an eye out!

Hi Ho!!

Charlie