"Thank you for a wonderful trip around the Grenadines. It has been so exciting to discover a new part of the world with such knowledgeable guides and competant crew. The sailing was spectacular. Memories that will last a lifetime. Your confident and calm demeanour made open ocean sailing a dream for me (as opposed to a nightmare!). You are a wonderful team, your attention to detail was much appreciated, the meals were wonderful. Thank you for anticipating our every need. We are looking forward to joining you on Magpie again in just a few weeks and exploring more new places together!". "Linda & Allan, Westport, Ct - Jan 12
"Thank you so much to you both for a wonderful week. The food and company have been fantastic. The memories of our time on Magpie II will keep us going through our north-east winter. Hope to be back next year" Nicola & Eamon, Newcastle, UK - Nov 11
"This was the best introduction to sailing in the Caribbean that we could hope for. You are the consumate hosts! We will have no hesitation recommending you to family and friends. Thank you very much for a truly excellent week!" Jon & Reyes, Spain - Nov 11
"We kids loved the enthusiasm and hospitality on Magpie II. Both Mr Ron and Mrs Karen are amazing people. Karen makes the most delicious food you've ever tasted and Ron passes other boats like its nobodys business! We enjoyed their skill and insight throughout the journey. Thank you!"
The Kids and Aunt Nancy , Jan 11
"Thank you very much for an unforgettable week of sailing and fine dining! We have travelled all over the world and all else does not compare to our past week here in the Grenadines with you."
Kim, Aug 10
"You made our first charter experience a memorable one! Thank you for your high standards in everything you do. We loved it. We will never forget the Tobago Cays and both of you."
Lewinski, July 10
HAPPINESS IS THE NAME OF THE WIND... Life is an art. And life sailing is more than art, is simply heavenly. This year, in spite of all the destruction the global financial crisis, we decided to charter again a sailboat in the most beautiful islands, in our opinion, of the Caribbean. …we selected the Magpie II, a 2005 Jeanneau 55'. That was a very good decision! … Ron from Newcastle and Karen from Aberdeen, Scotland. …an extraordinary couple: Ron is 62 years old with a lot of experience in navigation, even big ships. He is very quiet, few words, but very accurate… very nice, and Karen is 39 years old, the best first mate I've ever seen, helping the Captain all the time with robes, winches, sails, anchor, and so forth. And she is an extraordinary cook. ..so healthy, so delicious, with the exact perfect flavor for each dish… and always smiling, joyful, very active, an astonishing hard worker. With this extraordinary crew we spent 7 nights aboard. The Magpie II is very well kept sailboat… sails very good, and this is the main objective of our vacation …The sea, the wind, the warm weather, the loneliness in the middle of the ocean... We had perfect winds between 10 to 15 knots, and Ron set the sails so efficiently that we reached speeds from 6 to 8 …The moon as a perfect circle over there in the sky with thousands of stars …The sea calm and blue turquoise. What else we could ask for?!!! …to swim every day in a very warm, clear and transparent sea, to clean and almost empty beaches… A live reggae festival in Anguilla … The kindness and simplicity of the Kiiticens" as the people of St Kitts say of themselves. Saturday morning, after our traditional abundant breakfast, we went to the splendid and sophisticated Port of Gustavia to left the Magpie and say farewell to our new friends, Ron and Karen, with a toast of a glass of champagne and the solid intention to repeat with them next year to the Grenadines. …leaving behind our unforgettable vacation. Yes, life is an art, and we were the artists...Let’s keep that way!
April 2010 charter
"Nice trip in the Grenadines. Very nice boat. Very nice crew." As he is a man of few words, this is a rave review! February 2009 charter "We have enjoyed the total sailing / cruising experience with Ron and Karen. What a team! Ron's knowledge of Caribbean sailing is wonderfully complemented by Karen's gourmet galley. From coves, bays and harbours to open water sailing... we did it all. It was truly a trip of a lifetime!” St Lucia to Grenada April 2009 'What a wonderful honeymoon trip this has been! Thank you for all of the wonderful food, company and sites you have taken us. We will never forget this trip and hope to come back again.'
Walsh - July 08
'I've been chartering for years and this is the most enjoyable cruise of my life. Because of Ron and Karen's professionalism and gracious hospitality I want to cruise again with them.'
Ziemer - June 08
'Thank you for wonderful hospitality, good cooking and exemplary seamanship.'
Brine - Winter 07/08
'What a fab week! Thank you so much. Superb company and the food outstanding. Beautifully kept boat - we wanted for nothing.'
Bladon - Feb 08
'It was wonderful to find a culinary oasis in the middle of Paradise! We had a fantastic few (too few!) days on board - will be back!'
Philbin - July 07
'Dear Ron and Karen - you are the best! Thank you for the best sailing experience we will ever have... it could not get better than these last 7 days.'
Egnatz - July 07
'Sailing from St Lucia to Grenada we have had a wonderful time, thanks in large part to Ron and Karen. Ron has taken us to some of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean and Karen has cooked us fantastic meals every day. Most importantly, Ron and Karen are friendly, gracious and flexible hosts who I would recommend to anyone wanting to sail through the Caribbean. The boat is simply superb.'
Aussie World Cup Cricket fans - April 07
'Thank you both for making my dream a reality. Your boat felt like home and your attention to my every need was a joy from morning til night. I will enthusiastically recommend you to all my friends.'
Mealey - Jan 07
'How marvellous this has been - terrific sailing, fishing and snorkelling! You both have been exceptionally knowledgeable and fun hosts to all of us! The food has been superb - thank you Karen. This was everything we hoped and more!'
Majka - Dec 06
'Thanks Ron and Karen for a fantastic week. The boat is magnificent, your company was great, we had so much fun!'
Kemeney - Aug 06
'The four of us have had a marvellous experience. Magpie II is a wonderful vessel and from the first moment Ron and Karen made us feel right at home. They catered to our every desire in terms of places to go and delights to eat. Our week went by all too quickly - we all could have stayed much longer. Perhaps we can return next season.'
Davidson - April 06 My husband and I had one of the best vacations ever on MAGPIE II with Ron and Karen. The yacht is wonderful, very spacious and comfortable, spotlessly clean and sails fantastically well. Ron was very gracious and always asked if my husband wished to take the helm (which he did). He also inspires confidence as a skipper and in his mechanical knowledge. Ron and Karen are superb hosts. Karen is a great cook. We ate lots of fresh fish and fantastic salads for dinner, sitting in the cockpit underneath the stars. Breakfast was great with freshly baked bread bought from the boat boys in the Grenadine Islands. I had my morning coffee handed to me the moment after my early morning swim and lunch was wonderful. The Grenadines are spectacular and Ron and Karen took us to some amazing bays and islands. We always had the choice to do what we wanted to do re the itinerary. The snorkeling and swimming are excellent and Ron was always very willing to take us in the dinghy to shore or to go snorkeling. They are a lovely couple, very easy going, helpful and kind and nothing is too much trouble. March 2006, Grenadines Magpie II "A wonderful trip with lots of discoveries - great sailing, warm weather. Wonderful Karen and Ron, always accommodating, always making it memorable for us to spend a great holiday time which we shall remember for a long time! Even Jean-Christophe will remember his first sailing trip. So thank you again for these beautiful memories!"
March 2006 Thank you. We have had a wonderful holiday. Ron, Karen, you are fantastic.
December 2005, family from Rome, Italy Our holiday was absolutely fantastic!!!! The crew was exceptional, very professional and well organized and they offered us every comfort imaginable. The yacht was beautiful and refined down to every single detail, and well beyond our expectations.
December 2005 My husband and I had one of the best vacations ever on MAGPIE II with Ron and Karen. The yacht is wonderful, very spacious and comfortable, spotlessly clean and sails fantastically well. Ron was very gracious and always asked if my husband wished to take the helm (which he did). He also inspires confidence as a skipper and in his mechanical knowledge. Ron and Karen are superb hosts. Karen is a great cook. We ate lots of fresh fish and fantastic salads for dinner, sitting in the cockpit underneath the stars. Breakfast was great with freshly baked bread bought from the boat boys in the Grenadine Islands. I had my morning coffee handed to me the moment after my early morning swim and lunch was wonderful. The Grenadines are spectacular and Ron and Karen took us to some amazing bays and islands. We always had the choice to do what we wanted to do re the itinerary. The snorkeling and swimming are excellent and Ron was always very willing to take us in the dinghy to shore or to go snorkeling. They are a lovely couple, very easy going, helpful and kind and nothing is too much trouble.
March 2006, Grenadines 
