Easter Sunday we celebrated at the St. Joseph of the Worker Parish near Rodney Bay, St. Lucia: after walking about a mile and a half (all the locals said … “There are many churches just keep going around the corner, you will find one”) we heard the music, followed some families all dressed to the nines, and made our way….. steel drums and electric piano going to town –it was glorious! Dale figured over 700 folks gathered in this tiny village in this large church to celebrate together – we felt the “love!” (Especially during the sign of peace!)
We spent the day kind of relaxing on the boat but with a little bit of a mission – “make her sparkle” – we had two gentlemen arriving – Anthony Vigliotta on Monday and Angelo Castello on Tuesday. So polished all the stainless on the deck – gave her a bath with fresh water and soap – got the laundry ready for the local lady – and then just kind of chilled ….
Anthony arrived just like clockwork on Monday –gave him the tour of our home and his for the next 10 days and let him get settled in – out to dinner at a great little Thai restaurant right in the marina and then “good night” – he had traveled all night and needed to recoup. We had a big day planned – provision for the voyage and ready ourselves to welcome Angelo on board on Tuesday.
Never having met Angelo before – we did what every American would do – “Google him” – we needed to know who we were looking for – right? So Like Anthony – Angelo arrived exactly when we anticipated - and made himself right at home …. This is the way Dale and I like our guests/crew to feel. Dale gave the guys a tour of the boat – and how it works – which was good as we had planned on leaving St. Lucia in the morning to sail to Bonaire (a 442 nautical mile sail) … Dinner at the little pizza bistro – we all were ready to rest and get ourselves mentally prepared for the next few days. Nonstop sailing till we arrived – a lot for me to even think about. We thought a 4 day/3 night sail but whatever it takes is what it is.
Wednesday morning – gray overcast - we ran to the marina showers – one good last long hot shower before we head out… it began to rain – then poured and poured and poured. We checked the website “weather passage” to check the winds and waves… looked like we could “dodge” some of the weather that day and the rest of the week looked just “ok” …. Captain Dale gave the “order” to shove off while the rain had stopped and the skies looked blue in the south ….. We fueled up and left Rodney Bay about 10:30 am ….. Angelo and Anthony were ready for the “mission” …. Thank goodness Dale had “help” … as I might require motion sickness medicine!! (Thanks Dr. Doug and Nurse Nancy for the recommendation!)
Sailing out of Rodney Bay or any bay for that matter, is somewhat bittersweet – another little milestone in the journey of Companion in getting her and us “home.” Of course like most of our sailing adventures – nightfall comes and then the weather changes….the guys took shifts to hold the helm steady and stay on course …. At least we were heading in the right direction and only needed one “tack” to recover – but it was better to do that then to fight the waves all night… To say the least we had a long night of rain, wind and waves ….. About 125 miles done in that 24 hour period – only another 320 or so to go… the guys rested when they could – ate when hungry and were always ready to help the other. I spent the days and nights on the salon couch – not feeling too great but aware of what was happening around me.
ugh
Day two and three – weather on and off – Night two not as rough as night one, Night three – delightful, the guys could use the autopilot and watch the stars as they sailed to the south! Day four – we could feel that we were making progress but not fast enough – we would not make Bonaire by nightfall – so we slowed down a little bit … once again the waves decided to change direction and the wind kicked up – sailed with only the jib up …… Shift one – Angelo from 7pm – 11pm, Shift two – Anthony 11pm – 2am and Dale from 2am to 6am…..these guys were like clockwork for four nights…hard, exhausting work but also a sense of accomplishment - on the dawn of day 4 – the guys were all looking for the “glow” of the Bonaire – they could see it out about 40 miles from shore – so the end of this journey was in view!!!!
Captain and His Trusty Crew!!
About 6:00 in the morning we came into full view of Bonaire – all four of us on deck –ready to “get there”… the skies turning from a soft gray morning sky to soft pink … about that moment – Anthony has his camera ready to catch the dawn’s colors, the lighthouse at the most southern tip of the island and then says “Look over port side!” The most amazing site – a flock of pink flamingos just “sailing” past us – a greeting for us – “Welcome to Bonaire!” Nothing could have been more perfect. Just a little over 90 straight sailing hours we arrived in the Marine Park Harbor – what a site to see – the MOST pristine waters yet …..
The “A Team” as they got to be known on Companion were great assets to this passage.
(Note: I will add better photos of The "A" Team when I have better internet connections)
(Note: I will add better photos of The "A" Team when I have better internet connections)
Anthony – took charge of the galley (with a little input from me!) – Delicious meals every night – even as Companion was bobbin’ and bouncin’ along. Also a weather nut – he watched the clouds like a hawk and could help determine the speed and direction of the storms… an amazing gift. Plus I think he really did like the challenge of the helm!
Angelo had sailed several times in the Caribbean and was eager to sit at the helm – Sailor talk came easily to him and I think he must have been a sailor in his “past life” – very comfortable in that role!! His easy and quiet ways made for a very calm and relaxed boat!!
You know, this is a chance we take and actually Dale and I take it often – asking people to come with us on these adventures; not really knowing them that well BUT just have a feeling that everything will work out… it was amazing Angelo and Anthony felt like “old” friends right from the beginning (both Italian after all!) … made for a wonderful passage! Thank you gentlemen – for being great mates! We look forward to your return to Companion.
Sorry to see Angelo andAnthony leave Companion
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