Position 14:44.64N 61:10.67W
Date 0800 – 10 March 2011
It is only 16nm from Trois Islet north to St Pierre but the wind managed to blow from
most directions for a time during the passage. Given that we have had non-stop
NE to E winds since December this came as quite a surprise. Having made a
reasonably early start when we arrived at St
Pierre there was lots of space to anchor on the narrow
shelf in from of the town. Last time here we were much later and finding space
to anchor was a real challenge. Later in the afternoon the anchorage filled
and space in under 10m depth again became a premium.
The final day of the Mardi Gras holiday was in full swing and we went
ashore to watch the parades and the crowds most of whom were in some form of
fancy or extravagant dress, and in many cases not much of it. Sorry I forgot
to take the camera.
In the evening we had one of our rare meals ashore at a charming
restaurant ‘Le Tamaya’. This is owned by a husband and wife team
from France who sailed across the Atlantic and settled in St Pierre. It definitely a piece of Normandy transported to the Caribbean
and the food was very good. To be recommended if you are coming this way.
There followed a very
rolly night as the wind dropped away and the boat swung this way and that
through the northerly swell that was creeping into the anchorage. It made
getting up early very easy and the reward was one of those rare views of the
volcano, Mont Pelée, without a cloud cap.
