Nous sommes arrivee

26.04.2011

Nous somme arrive!

26th April tied to a small motor boat at Fred’s yard awaiting a haul out first thing tomorrow morning.

Can’t believe that we have finally made it to Point a Pitre at last. Talk about tortuous trip. We left Deshaies on Good Friday and got as far as Basse Terre which was 20 miles away. It was a painfully slow sail and the one plus of the trip was that the sea was very flat- had there been any swell we would have been scuppered and not gotten very far at all.

Early Saturday morning we dinghied ashore and took a walk along the promenade. It is a relatively new one as the previous one had been destroyed by Ivan. The marina still bears the scars of that as well. We got into towards town and found a market in a large car park beside the bus station. There were fishermen selling their catches. We decided to have a treat and buy some fresh tuna steaks. As it turned out the very cheery fisherman was fluent in French, English, Spanish and \C|reole – ah but we have a lot to learn! He was really good fun and full of chat. We stopped for a coffee on the way back and were quite put out that they didn’t serve white coffee – only black from an expresso machine. After much face pulling on my part the lad went through the back and brought me some milk – bless him. We also found a laundrette.
Honestly the things that can make your day out here!
So as there was no wind (again) we went back to the boat and loaded up the dirty washing and went ashore. While the washing was on we went for yet another walk and found a phone box so we could wish family Happy Easter. By then the wind was springing up. Sails up and of we set for Isles de Saintes some 10 miles away.

It started well but after about an hour at 3 knots we had ground to a halt and in fact were heading backwards. The engine was tried but made horrible grinding noises after about 10 minutes so we were snookered. Ever resourceful and because the sea was once again totally flat we lowered the dinghy and tied her alongside. John got into her and steered her in the direction of the islands. We made less than a knot an hour but hey at least we weren’t going backwards. Fortunately that only lasted for about 2 hours before the wind picked up and we had a cracking finish into a little anchorage just outside the Saintes. It was full of families having lots of fun over their holiday weekend. BBQ’s on the beach and sing songs from afar. Made me quite homesick.

Next morning it rained buckets and the wind was blowing a good 20+ knots. Not the forecast but never look a gift horse in the mouth. Besides that our anchor had started to drag ( 40 feet of chain in 20 feet of water – not in a blow). So we set of aiming to get to Point a Pitre. The wind in our favour and blowing a steady 25 – 30 knots we were making 7.8 knots at one point. Then good old Murphy appeared. The wind began to die and we had about 6 miles to go. The previous 14 miles were done in just over 2 hours. The remainder took about 4 hours and it was tortuous just sitting there wallowing like a lame duck. Eventually we dropped anchor in a little bay just 3 miles out of Point a Pitre called Grosier. Again another popular spot with locals – all enjoying watersports over the holiday weekend.

Monday we decided to stay put and it was a lovely relaxing day. However during the evening a few vicioius squalls passed over the anchorage. By 2.00 a.m. we were both up and watching a boat float away from its anchorage. John was on the point of getting in the dinghy to go and knock them up when the anchor caught again. That was enough to convince us that we should do an anchor watch. The other boat drifted quite a few times and only one other boat seemed to notice it. The folk on board certainly didn’t. They finally appeared on deck about 8 this morning by which time there had been a mass evacuation of the bay. It was very rolly and bouncy – quite unpleasant when it was together with huge rain squalls that were bringing well over 30 knots of wind.

Captain decided it was time to bite the bullet and head up the channel towards the marina and Fred’s dock. Staysail only we were tramping along at 5 knots. Then Murphy appeared again – huge rain squall, big winds and narrow channel. Nothing for it but to try the engine and hope she would take us in to a berth. Just as we were wondering where on earth his dock was we heard a whistle. It was Fred waving to us. He and his helper took the lines and rafted us safe and sound. Whew – thank the lord.

So tomorrow will see us hoisted out and hopefully give us some resolution to the problem that have marred us since leaving Curacao. Everything will be crossed for a quick resolution as we still have a long way to go to get to Trini and get JJ out of the water and ready for the wet season before we can get home. Beginning to quite fancy the prospect of a stationery living place for a bit.

Hope you all had a lovely Easter break.