A few photos

In the Rodney Bay Marina

In the Rodney Bay Marina

Relaxing in the JAMBE DU BOIS

Relaxing in the JAMBE DU BOIS

The best view ever -J.Du.B

The best view ever -J.Du.B

 Milanto crew relaxing at Jambe du Bois, Pigeon Island, St Lucia   After The great performance on Arc Racing division  we finished 5th . Great result , considering we were only 4 ! 

Alberto and Antonella joined us for a final meal......

Alberto and Antonella joined us for a final meal......

Saying goodbye to my viennese friends

Saying goodbye to my viennese friends

you can never stop the maintenance!

you can never stop the maintenance!

Over and out

here is herbert again, on board of MILANTO.
it's done - earlythis  morning we arrived ,at 03:24 am local time to be precise . due to the genious navigation of Valerio we flew our spi till the cap of Pigeon Island, and crossed the line with white sails up on a perfect beating course . what a feeling! 
berthed in the marina we awaited sunrise....... a moment to be a little emotional.....
Thank you all for following this blog and joining us on our journey.
It's been a great experience, more than great. in fact you should try for yourselves.         The very best to you all
Herbert
ahoi
over and out

My thanks to Josef and Herbert who were delightful company all the way across as well as being highly skilled fishermen! And the whole trip was memorable due to the enthusiasm, energy and cheerfulness of our onboard Neapolitan, Carla.  What a fantastic ARC. Thanks again guys!  Vale

Milanto is now in Rodney Bay, St Lucia

Milanto is now in Rodney Bay, St Lucia

So close now! Less than 8 hours............

Speed: 7.6 knots @ 266.56°

Position at: 10 Dec 2014 00:00 UTC

Lat/Lon: 13° 58.80 N, 059° 58.06 W

DTF: 59.1 NM  Estimated arrival 07.55 UTC  Dec 10th

Distance (last 24hrs): 178 NM

7th in All Racing Division

35th in All boats

5th in Racing B

It will be dark still in the Caribbean so time to get some rest before the friends on board Monomotapa and everyone on  Milanto party tomorrow evening. What a great way to end a fabulous trip. Congratulations to all on board both yachts!

A big thank you to all who followed us across the Atlantic and also to the team at World Cruising for another great ARC Rally.

What a day!

buongiorno  after the morning routine of cleaning and maintenance of the various pumps and filters x the soft water sustems, coffees, teas and various breakfasts everyone lay down on the deck to enjoy the sun and the wind  , which thank goodness is continuing meaning that we are travelling fast towards St Lucia f. The spinnaker is resting, reaching with white sails and jazz music, The Tropics are like that, we have lunch and eat supper , change the lures on our fishing rods  but not a fish in sight. Well , not quite we lost one around 15kgs. yesterday -we tried to get it on board for over an hour but finally the hook broke and it slipped back into the sea. What a pity!  So as I said everyone around me looks like they are at the beach. half asleep or staring into space. A real detox! Herbert tells me that he has not even got the energy  or the will to read -his brain has totally switched off..It will be hard to go back to an onland routine after this , We are getting close to having only 600 nm. to go circa .Despite the lack of fish the Michelin 3star food continues chicken curry , lasagne with pesto , pork with mustard, freshly cooked bread with nuts and seeds , fresh salads ,with splash of red or white wine. No complaints there
It's not easy even writing  ,surrounded by sun, clouds and the Oceann and how this effects us. The greatest experience is being part of this giant 'kitchen' where all the ingredients change continually, the smell, the colour and the shape. It will certainly influence our life later back on land.

9 HOURS LATER......a day of 2 parts!This afternoon turned into the 'kitchen' form hell! Squlla that hit you with bolts of water so you cannot relax for a second,Our Austrian friends desperately wanted to catch a fish but no luck all morimmo and by the afternoon they were demoralised and gave up. However the then remembered that they had a present to open -it being St Niklaas today so the day when many N.European children open a present or two  . Inside were 4 gingerbread biscuits in the shape of the saint. ,so as a joke I pretended to receive a Skype call from St Niklaas requesting a fish.and promised in return to mend his sack and any toys that were broken! About one hour later, as the sun was going down looks what we pulled on board. I have never caught one like this before. oooh whaoo !So I went down on my knees, in front of the remaining gingerbread figure and gave thanks! 

The best present!

The best present!

Speed: 7.8 knots @ 252.56°

Position at: 06 Dec 2014 20:00 UTC

Lat/Lon: 16° 37.77 N, 051° 0.54 W

DTF: 596.2 NM

Distance (last 24hrs): 184 NM

9th in All Racing Division

39th in All boats

6th in Racing B