Time to move south
Oriole
Sun 24 Feb 2008 14:28
Isles des Saintes, Guadeloupe. 15:52.21N
61:35.14W
Having waited for the worst of the
strong winds and big seas to subside we finally left Antigua on Thursday.
Checking out with Customs and Immigration was the most prolonged and irritating
on record with unexplained absences of various officials during peak office
hours (nearly 2 hours to complete 5 minutes activity). John had the
temerity to question the reason for the absences and was treated to a tirade of
abuse and no explanation! Fortunately this is not typical of Antigua -
only some of its officials.
Sunday lunch at Harmony
Hall.
We had a great meal with Andrew
and the crew of Al Shaheen at Harmony Hall - always a highlight of any visit to
Antigua - and we consumed 4 whole lobsters and one large steak between
us. The last of the Wood Vale Rowing racers arrived amid great celebration
after their prolonged time at sea - 77 days for the last arrivals. The last
girls stayed out for an additional 24 hours because their parents had not yet
flown into Antigua! Only girls would do that!
Flares and champagne greet the last arrival in the Wood Vale Rowing
Race.
We bade Andrew farewell on the dock
in Falmouth on Wednesday evening and he was on Drumbeat's deck the next
morning to wave us off. Our next appointment is in Wembury Church on May
31st!
We had big seas but no more than 26
knots on the beam for our sail to Guadeloupe which we made in quick
time. It had been our plan to meet Harrison and Katy on
Circe in the Saintes, but on Friday the lee side of Guadeloupe was
experiencing sustained winds of 30-35 knots. In spite of the suspicion that this
was partly the effect of the mountains accelerating the brisk trade winds we
snook into the Pigeon Island anchorage and took a lay-day. Sadly next day
we passed Circe on her way to Deshaies from where we had come, so the best laid
plans ................
Harrison and Katy waving from
Circe off Guadeloupe.
The Ocean Cruising Club early morning
radio net is very active and this morning we had good conversations with yachts
from the Dominican Republic to the Grenadines. Seven yachts took part this
morning and we finally made contact with Simon and Hilda on
Calisto from Newton Ferrers who are in the DR on their way south
from the US. This is old technology but a great way for yachties to keep
in contact - participants in the last few days have been in Dominican
Republic,Tortola BVI, Antigua,Trinidad,Guadeloupe and the
Grenadines.
Today is Sunday again and the
restaurants of Bourg des Saintes beckon us for lunch.