Dec 23. Mystique
We went into town in the morning to do some Christmas shopping, by that I mean ingredients for another batch of rum punch and beers for the next few days. We had a brisk upwind sail to Mystique, our intended layover for the next two nights.
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Having a beer and a swim in Britania Bay, Mystique

Upon arrival we took a swim around the boat and then had lunch on board. Dan dropped us off on the island, where everyone did their own thing, swimming, walking around, or to Basil’s for a drink and internet. Shortly afterwards Dan found us and told us the island had been closed to non residents, due to the crew from a yacht annoying one of the celebrities that reside there. We would have been able to still go to Basil’s, and use the beach nearby, but Macaroni Beach was off limits and the Cotton House could only be accessed by taxi with reservations.
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Skyelark anchored off Basil's

It was agreed that it wouldn’t be much fun so we slipped our mooring line before we would be charge the $80 US mooring fee. We were off again to Canouan where we would anchor and then spend Christmas Eve. I am looking forward to visiting the island, we anchored here on a previous charter but the swell was running so hard we couldn’t land the dingy. I had my son, Nick, with me on that trip and he took a water taxi to shore, after hearing music coming from the buildings there. I wouldn’t be right for him to visit an island I haven’t been on yet, so this stop will set it right. On our way over we enjoyed Deb’s homemade Christmas cake ( like a fruit cake but not aged until it is hard as a brick, very moist and tasty), then I settled in to make lamb curry from the fresh lamb I picked up in Bequia; I accompanied it with my Moroccan stewed okra in tomato, and Deb made some brown rice to finish the meal. It was tricky trying to cook with the boat healed over and the waves coming off the beam, not easy chopping carrots when they are rolling back and forth across the counter. While we were sailing we hooked another fish, but there was some difficulty with the reel and the line unspooled, causing the fish and our lucky lure to be lost The sun went down as we were sailing, so we had an impromptu night sail, a real treat for the crew, and Dan gave a quick lesson on how to read the lights from distant vessels to determine their type, size and direction of travel.. Once we arrived we chose a spot in the bay and anchored; the holding here isn’t the best, but after backing down on the anchor a while it finally bit in and we were secure for the night. The crew enjoyed my curry; I used local sweet potato and edoe (sp) a root vegetable similar to a hairy potato. Following dinner we made short work of the remains of the first batch of rum punch in which the flavors had now blended. Although the boat rolled slightly throughout the night, the fresh breeze kept the cabins cool and I slept well.
We will be stopping in locations without internet the next few days, Tobago Cays, Petit Martinque, and Chatam Bay so there won't be any updates for a while. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.

Drink all day at home, your friends worry about you; do it on vacation and they say "what a good time you're having". Save your friends needless worry, travel more!