From the Irish EC Member: Dana

Thank you for an absolutely wonderful two weeks sailing. It couldn’t have been better.

While storm warnings abounded we seem to have escaped all of them except for a few rough patches here and there which left me feeling a bit queasy. When we got home the alignment of Jupiter and Venus, which we were privileged to see on many successive nights, was the talk of astronomers. From start to finish the trip was a great adventure for us.

Not only is Willie a great sailor, he is also a terrific guitar player. Not only is Kathleen a great cook (and maker of the best rum punch), she is also a terrific singer. What a great combination of talents: great sailing, great food, great punch and evening sing-a-longs under the stars in the Caribbean Sea.

WW at work

Apart from all these highlights, every island we stopped at (Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island) had something special to offer—great walks, a turtle museum, a whale museum, great restaurants, Basil’s Bar, food markets, the Botanical Gardens (in St. Vincent), lurking pirates and a thundering shower in the rocks (Wallilabou), and Robert Righteous (Mayreau

We’ll send you some of our favourite pictures shortly. Robert Righteous standing beside the Estonian flag in his striking restaurant and bar on Mayreau is one of our favourites. Sitting in that bar and listening to Robert’s story was another highlight. A man of 53, born in Mayreau, who was left to fend for himself from the age of 14 and who make a success of his life.

Robert Righteous with the Estonian flag (blue, black and white) in his bar

Another wonderful day was November 29^th—Willie’s birthday—which we started celebrating at 7:30 a.m. and carried on celebrating all day on the boat and on the island of Bequia.

WW, KMH, Dana and Enn
celebrating WW's 60th at Gingerbread in Port Elizabeth

As for the sailing itself? It’s hard to beat the beauty of cruising through the Caribbean Sea in a wide range of weather, from clear blue skies to skies looming on the horizon, filled with ominous dark clouds portending rainy squalls that soon have you running for shelter. Luckily there weren’t too many of those. For me being “under way” was always a highlight (except when it was really rough).

All-in-all we had great fun with two great hosts and although I brought with me the music and words to quite a few songs, I realize I will have to raise my game if I am to be a serious contributor to the music-making on board this ship. However, I did contribute to Kathleen mastering Dona Nobis Pacem and, even as I write, I can imagine Kathleen and Fricia (Frisha, Patricia?) and Whit (are you a singer too?) singing this song and many more and filling the starry moonlit evenings with their beautiful soaring voices backed by the dulcet tones of Willie’s guitar.

Thank you for a wonderful trip. We look forward to seeing you during the Christmas holidays.