16.18.415N  061.47.865W

Deshaies 79.5 miles logged

After a very pleasant evening with Peter and Carol we set the alarm for 02.15 (!) and we were underway just before 0300!! The forecast was for wind from the ENE but initially it was light and variable so we motor sailed south leaving ‘Redonda’ to port, then we headed east leaving Montserrat to starboard. The volcano is still smoking away and we did not want to go to leeward and risk getting covered in ash!

The wind rose to 20 knots on the bow and the sea became very confused and we had vicious rain squalls that at least flattened the sea. After an uncomfortable few hours the wind went North of East and we could hold our course to Deshaies in glorious sunshine and Moonbeam powered to windward with 2 slabs in the main and 8 rolls in the genoa- great sailing at last.

I was trying a new lure on the fishing line and suddenly the real “ screamed” and we looked astern where 50 metres away what we thought was a 4ft tuna was leaping out of the water! Then there was a loud bang and the 30lb test line snapped, molten on the drum ---  and the Penn real was not winding!   50lb of tuna lost! So out with the hand line which was soon taken up with a 2’6” barracuda which was eventually released. End of fishing for the day!

The wind held and we arrived in Deshaies at the north west corner of Guadeloupe ( known locally in Creole as “Gwada” ) at 1600 having logged 80 miles in 13 hours.

Sunday we checked into ‘Euroland’ once more but unfortunately all the baguettes were sold! A pleasant relaxing day ending with drinks aboard “Kahia” OCC.

On Monday a quick trip ashore for baguette, some fresh vegetables, avocados and pineapples and smoked Marlin, then headed south down the west coast of “ Gwada”--- headed for the Saintes.