Our passage was Antigua to Guadeloupe, during which we experienced a severe swell between the islands caused by force 8 winds of up to 35 knots. At one point, 2 by 3 metre waves combined and broached onboard soaking everyone and submerging all those in the boat’s cockpit. A few with white faces seen between bouts of seasickness were mollified with assurances that it wouldn’t be like this every day!

We spent our first night at anchorage and enjoyed a second breakfast French style. Next day, we arrived at the unspoilt island of Dominica; 6 of us took advantage of the opportunity to journey up the Indian River - a national park where no outboard engines were allowed. The diversity of the wildlife was staggering, and the highlight was walking in the rainforest during a tropical rainstorm.

Our next port of call was Rodney Bay in St Lucia, where 4 of us explored the bay in the inflatable boat, stopping to visit the resident ‘pirate ship’ that took tourists to sea for the day The ship starred as the ‘Interceptor’ in the recent film Pirates of the Caribbean.. After tying up alongside, Caribbean hospitality was provided in the form of rum punch.

The highlight of our expedition was found at the island of Bequia, part of the larger group of island known as the Grenadines. Here it seemed we had found paradise. We visited the sea turtle sanctuary where important conservation work is undertaken to protect these animals. That night, the 4 RN crew members introduced to our fellow soldiers and airmen the joys of a beach barbeque; at one point our fire fighting skills were nearly called for, palm logs burn very well!

Our return started, we called at Marigot bay at St Lucia, here it was rumoured that the British fleet, outnumbered, had hidden from a larger French fleet by tying palm fronds in their rigging and on the masts. We sailed for Martinique, which was decidedly very uncaribbean, much more like the south of France.