Barbados

We arrived in a strong wind and breaking seas, thinking that there would be little shelter from the swell in Carlisle Bay. Customs required us to moor at the cruise ship terminal, which was tricky alongside the big fender pads which keep the cruise ships off the dock. There was no way we could have moored unaided, but luckily someone was there to help.

We then climbed precariously up to the dock, and completed formalities in the cruise terminal, welcomed to Barbados by a big poster.

Back in Carlisle Bay it was surprisingly sheltered from the waves, and we joined two other yachts at anchor about a hundred yards off a gleaming white sand beach fringed with beach clubs and their sun umbrellas.

We took the dinghy ashore into The Carenage harbour which is reminiscent of Weybridge as the narrow channel curves into the town with boats moored along the quays. A lifting bridge lets boats into an inner harbour right in town, and we were surprised to see many moorings available.

Walking around we were constantly hailed by hopeful taxi drivers, or hooted at by minibuses touting for trade.

There is a grand stone church flying the Barbadian flag with Neptune's trident prominent on the yellow and green ground. We found a bank ATM, but Lloyd's bank was being cautious and refused to let me draw any cash. Luckily Mark got some.

Next stop was one of the beach bars called Pirates' Cove, where we relaxed with a Banks Beer and took in the view of Tin Tin through palm trees, white sands and clear blue water.