Point-a-Pitre Guadeloupe

Eowyn
Tue 4 Feb 2014 18:51
 
 
Éowyn is in Marina Bas-du-Fort, Guadeloupe
 
On Saturday, as planned we slipped from Rodney Bay and took a perfect trade wind to St Pierre, Martinique. We had not planned to go ashore, just get some shut-eye. The inevitable Frenchman anchored way too close in his 20 tons of rusting steel hulk and needless to say, we were screaming blue murder to him as his stern hit ours at 0230!
 
Chris had some tummy problems, so wind permitting, I decided we would skip Dominica and sail direct to the Saintes. Once again those wind gods were with us and we averaged 7 knots to moor in Isle a Cabrit well before dark. After some helpful information from Chris & John Lytle on Oriole, we pressed on to Point-a-Pitre to the marina Bas du Fort where Chris was inducted into the very efficient French medical system. EHIC card in hand she was seen quickly and efficiently and is now on the way to recovery following a diagnosis confirmed by ultrasound scan. The French system seems to work better than most in the world. The French pay a percentage of each treatment and are therefore well aware of the cost of medical care. The balance is met by insurance or the Social Security system as appropriate. It's a good reminder to carry your EHIC card and then you will get the treatment at the same cost as the locals.
 
We will stay here a few days before returning to the Saintes and then on to Antigua.