The Race is Over

Marie des Isles arrives in Barbados

Yesterday marked the end of the 2012 Panerai Transat Classique as the final yacht, Marie des Isles arrived a full ten days after the next slowest. James and Elizabeth went out in the rib to help with the lines and were shouted at by the coast guard for having no lights. The tired crew were grateful for their welcome rums and spent the evening aboard the cruising yacht Lela sailed by a member of their family and also in the Careenage.

Wreck of fishing boat in Carlisle Bay, Barbados

We had a quiet last day in Barbados; I got a short scuba dive in the "marine reserve" in the morning before we returned and made pizza for lunch. Then Matthew got to choose the Sunday movie (Watership Down) before we went to the beach for a brief swim to cool off.

Happy Matthew makes a sand castle

We are off to clear out now. James has an appointment at the Deep Water Harbour where we need to present passports once more and pay the $100 Barbadan dollar fee for yachts to leave. We have organised the bridge to open at 1pm and we shall sail the 100nm west to Bequia for the next stage of our adventure. That also means today we say farewell to our loyal crew Dave and Ollie. The boat will seem emptier without them, although they have been keeping out of the way since our arrival in Barbados. I hope they've enjoyed the experience and wonder if Dave will ever repeat the crossing in Ceilidh Mhor.

Dave and Ollie enjoy the Mount Gay Rum crew party with Maud in Cascais