27 January 2026 at 14:42:06 GMT

Day 18 cont……………

Minimal winds through the day of around 21 knots. Wall to wall sunshine causing us to hide whenever possible.

1600 ‘Let’s get the bimini up. That should be quick and easy’ Tried but abandoned. Sadly we have no photos but would have been good with me lying prone across the cockpit helping to hold the boom stay down as the boom sought to bounce and bang in the bobbly seas!

2000 Dinner on deck. Very civilised now the seas are less significant – down to 2 -3 metres – but still forcing us to corral and spot plates of food as they tipped precariously. Think we need a gimbled table! We’re out of aubergine but with red peppers and onions in the mix, cheese and yoghurt fixings, chicken fajitas have never tasted so good, especially when accompanied by beer and sunset.

Day 19

Flying fish landed on the boat 2020

Should be our last day at sea.

0120 we were 35 miles due north of Barbados

0350 72 miles to run to the northern tip of St Lucia

Lots of flying fish and swirling sea birds diving and swooping all around us.

1115 the shout went up – Land ahoy. 25 miles to run. We’re making the direct course. Wind has dropped and sea too. Making 5.5 knots with genoa. Hope to get in to Rodney Bay marina late this afternoon or early evening.

28 January 2026 at 16:08:47 GMT

Feeling just a little bit smug!  I’ve loved this adventure!!  Sorry I didn’t manage to send yesterday – something to do with overcome with tiredness………..

Day 19 cont……….

We fair barrelled through the night making crazy speeds as we rode the rollers, but the wind wasn’t extreme. There was an incredibly bright moon lighting our way for the whole of my watch, but then it disappeared as quickly as it arrived!

We’re here!  Arrived!   HOW ABOUT THAT!!!  Berthed D26 Rodney Bay Marina, St Lucia.  It’s 1530 local time (BST-4) Malcolm and Paul have headed off to customs and immigration to check in.  I managed to ground as we came to the end of the pontoon but had no source of knowledge to tell us of shallow depths there.  I wonder how many people they have to sort out?  We were pulled off by marinairoes in a dinghy with encouragement from the banana boat guy.  Lots of shouting.  Didn’t understand what any of them wanted so handed over to Malcolm.  Somehow we floated free, then more shouting directing us to a totally different berth to the one allocated!

The St Lucia Channel had wind over tide.  The engine was labouring and very noisy with a lot of froth in the water intake basket.  Cavitating we believe.  It settled down and sounded fine once we were through the channel.

19 days at sea and all still smiling.  We’ve had a lot of fun together.  Now to plan the next adventure beginning tomorrow – or tonight if we eat out!

The whole 18 day 5 hour journey of Yacht Sukama

There’s a superyacht in the bay – AHPO owned by a billionaire – available to hire for £2.8million a week!  Plus expenses!!  Jetskis, small catamarans, a kayak, small motor boats and lots of cruisers like us at anchor – a playground for all who love to mess about in boats.

The fridge is very empty and not happy – icing up and depleted.  I hear there’s a market on tomorrow morning on the marina lawn so hope to be able to stock up the fruit and veg from there, or maybe from the enterprising banana boat should he swing by again.

2972 miles.  18 days 5 hours.  437 hours.  Average 6.8miles/hour.  Has made for a fabulous life affirming experience.

_________________

Team members: Malcolm, Sue, Paul, George the autopilot, Charlie our weather router

Photos from previous crossing 2020

Previous adventure updates

Day 16 – 18: https://blackwells.biz/atlantic-crossing-days-16-18/

Day 13 – 15: https://blackwells.biz/atlantic-crossing-days-13-15/

Day 11 – 12: https://blackwells.biz/atlantic-crossing-days-11-12/

Day 7 – 10: https://blackwells.biz/atlantic-crossing-days-7-10/

Day 5 – 6: https://blackwells.biz/atlantic-crossing-days-5-6/

Day 1 – 4: https://blackwells.biz/atlantic-crossing-days-1-4/

Preparation and setting off on day 1: https://blackwells.biz/the-call-of-the-ocean/