15 52N 61 35W

Osprey
John Bowering
Tue 18 Dec 2007 21:57
Well here we are at Terra D'en Haut and Bourg Des Saintes and it is beautiful spot hidden behind Ilet Cabrit. In true French style it is pretty immaculate, very small but with most basic services and obviously a hidden away holiday hide away for those that know it - and I would guess that number doesn't exceed 50! - which is also probably equal to about 10% of the population. For once there are only half a dozen yachts here all small - or conversely - no mega yachts. The anchorage is tiny and I can only hope that our Bruce anchor lives up to its reputation - there is no swing room at all but the locals assure me everything lies in the same direction at this time of the year. I used the great goggles my diving son Gareth gave me today and they are remarkable with a my glasses prescription built in. Used them to go and check out how our anchor lay - couldn't find it so have to assume its buried at the end of the cable. The trip down here was great for the first part then we were headed by the wind and had to motor for the last six miles. It was fairly rough for that section and with the benefit of the pilot house both Anita and I decamped below and sailed? in comfort. One very surprised Oyster came towards us as we were approaching Des Saintes and we altered course to have a closer look. They obviously were concerned that we were another Marie Celeste as there was no one on deck or in the cockpit and yet we closed right up to them. I popped my head up in the end to find the whole crew standing on the rail examining us with binoculars. Wonderful things pilot houses - especially when you have duplicate instruments and controls down there as well. I have to get around to posting some pictures of these places. Anita is quite funny as she gets really cranky with the amount of salt we pick up during a passage and as soon as we anchor has her bucket of fresh water out clearing it away whilst I get her tent erected. The tent - thanks to our great sailmakers in Maine (Hallett) has been a huge success and can be erected or dowsed in under five minutes. We now have a technique where it goes straight in or out of its sailbag with the topping lift attachment ring always on top in the same fashion as a foresail peak. It completely covers the cockpit and companionway area and of course keeps Anita our of both sun and rain.We sat at a very French cafe this evening and Anita unilaterally decided we would be here for another day. Maybe something to do with the fact there also a small number of shops here, which have been sadly absent from our previous stops.