16:18.41N 61:47.95W Iles des Saintes to Deshaies( Guadeloupe)
Gaudeo
John and Prue Quayle / John Quayle
Tue 12 Feb 2008 17:35
Two rainless days, the first since leaving Grenada one month ago. Iles des
Saintes have been enchanting, especially Ilet a Cabrit with its almost
deserted beach, gorging pelicans, and coral snorkelling to which we returned
after the Panks and Sally Utley departed. We also returned to La Saladerie,
an excellent restaurant overlooking the anchorage.
Onwards to Guadeloupe: little let up in the wind, an average 25 knots but
on the beam and only 8 miles of open sea to reach the lee of the east coast;
afterwards
a
gusty reach along the coast for the next 20 or so miles, stopping for lunch
at Pigeon island,
famous for the Cousteau Underwater Park. Conditions were not ideal for
swimming so we moved for the night to the attractive anchorage of Deshaies
at the NW corner.
Here, we experienced the first sunset "green flash" - perhaps rum punch
enhanced. Actually Prue was the witness as my inherited slight red/green
colour blindness, allowed only a halo of darkness above the descending
red/orange glow.
A day ashore and visit to the Botanic gardens awaits tomorrow, then the
final passage to Antigua.
