16:10.374N 61:46.935W
SV Eleonora
Michael A. Andronov
Sat 24 Feb 2018 19:37
Left Jolly Harbour on Friday, Feb. 23rd, arrived to the Deshaies bay late afternoon.
Everybody I brought there is saying the same thing after a short walk on shore - ‘ Way, that is France’…
Indeed it is. I still have a challenge do define how locals manage to do that — being naturally happy and polite to you? Or because the streets are super clean? Or because the small village shops are full of great food? Or all of the above? No idea. But it is a great and lovely place.
Sailing was… a bit challenging. The wind was of constant 25-27 range, gusting a bit above 30. The seas — as we get out of protection from Antigua, and not reached protection of Guadeloupe — about 10-11 ft… We started the passage under nice sun shine… but as approaching the Guadeloupe — the line of squalls passed over… making me soaking wet… Well, I was thinking about getting experience of sailing in 30 kts winds and more then moderate seas… I got it all…
Fishing… One step closer to success… I got the fish on the line, I started to get to the boat… It was nearly there… and it gone… Easy come, easy gone… Next time… Most important — the step into the right direction.
Deshaies has been unusually windy. Everybody says that Deshaies is the windy harbour… But I’ve never been there when it is blowing constantly 27-30 kts…
Now I know the feeling…
Early morning we left to Pointe Malendure ( Pigeon bay ). And though nearly all forecasts were talking about ‘wind moderation on the second half of the day’, those forecasts are not related to Guadeloupe… This time — what ever was possible to accelerate between the hills, Guadeloupe accelerated… We approached the Pointe Malendure in ’nice’ 30 kts, gusting to 35… Luckily, there is no too much waves as we were entering the bay ( the last time I was there — the rolling of the boat was… not comfortable, to say it very politely… ).
So, as I’m typing that message, the Sun is shining, the wind started to moderate — or is it my imagination? — and we are on anchor at bay, in front of Pigeon Islands…
One more day in France… and back to Antigua.