We had two Christmases this year. The first was in early December as Fi and her friend Emma were here for two weeks and both had drawn the short straw and were on shifts over the Christmas period. So the house was decorated early, mulled wine brewed and twinkly lights adorned the trees ready for their arrival on the 2nd December. We had named the dates for both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to coincide with band nights at Chateau Mygo so the scene was set for much fun and frivolity. Our friends were most gracious in their enthusiasm for our premature celebrations.

Coconut water stop...

Swimming in a swollen river with Kurt (ATV)

                                                          

The girls filled their time well with frequent trips to the hotel for early cocktails by the pool bar, massages in the spa and days sailing (loosely speaking; we sailed, they sunbathed). All in all, a good time. On Christmas day we came down to stockings filled to overflowing with gifts and calabash bowls stuffed with the usual stocking trinkets. Jeff BBQ'd the delicious turkey on a perfectly hot sunny day and we enjoyed a great feast which lasted for several hours.

We had a lovely sail to the pitons, where we picked up a mooring buoy and spent the night. We'd already arranged our evening meal at a local beach bar, so there was not much to do other than have pre-dinner swims, showers and then sunset cocktails. We watched a large cruise ship sail past, all lit up like a Christmas tree; it turned slowly towards us and then stopped and after a short while they sounded a horn which signaled the beginning of a ten minute firework display..... Jeff said he had had a word with the Captain! Pure magic...

Canapes and G&T's

Hair washing night

Firework display on a cruise ship.

We slept like logs listening to the gentle swell and waves lapping the beach, having enjoyed the freshest grilled fish and been sent off with armfuls of grapefruit for breakfast.

Rum punch at the Pitons

Beers in Chateau Mygo

Rules of the house - a gift from Fi and Emma

                                                        

 Sunset Champagne cruise

Turkey No1.

We repeated the whole thing two weeks later with the arrival of Jill and Herb followed by Jonathan and Stewart. Same format, different turkey! This time we were celebrating with the rest of the world. This was a very relaxing time with all visitors keen to read, sleep, potter and generally wind down from their stressful lives.

Everyone had left by the 7th January but we remained busy with visiting military yachts and catching up with old friends.

Relaxing after the Christmas rush

We are thinking about the forthcoming wedding. Most things are in place but you can never be quite sure in the Caribbean that all will go as planned. The attraction to this part of the world is the laid back, easy going attitude but it can be frustrating if you require timing and precision.

 We moved Wind Down onto Chateau Mygo dock as the marina fees for the next year were hiked by nearly 30%. Laughable really as the state of the dock became more hazardous every week, with the useless manager paying lip service to anyone who dared to complain.

The boat is certainly keeping cleaner where she is and it is very convenient to be able to check on things each evening. It is a bit tricky getting past the bar after a day’s sailing though!

Marmalade season produced a dozen or so jars, enough to give away to friends and still have some for the rest of the year. 

We are in the midst of a spruce up. All outside yellow walls are getting a lick of paint as are the white columns. The garden is also having a bit of a shake up with areas being cleared and replanted with more appropriate things. Gardening in the tropics is a constant learning curve. 

 

In the next blog there will be a full account of the wedding, anyone not inclined to romance may like to skip to the autumn addition....its going to be awesome!!