Marie Galante is a delightful island – part of Guadeloupe – and about 20 miles to the South East.

We left Bas du Fort marina in Pointe a Pitre at midday only to find a much stronger wind than was forecast and straight from the South East which wasn’t forecast at all. That meant the whole of the Pointe a Pitre basin was a lee shore and after a couple of hours we were still only in 20 metres of water. The sea was horribly confused with backwash off the shore and we finally reached Marie Galante in the dark. Once again Margery and her searchlight turned up trumps and guided me in to a safe parking spot between the lobster pots. There were large fish jumping all around the boat when they were startled by the searchlight.

It was Paul’s turn for the gammy leg syndrome which started back in the museum in Pointe a Pitre. So next day was a lazy day and apart from Barrie and Margery swimming it was feet up and read books. The library on Peejay is now getting quite large.

Next day the invalid was no better so we poodled round the corner and anchored in St Louis Bay. Beautiful uncrowded spot.

The jetty was long and the walk into town was nearly too much for the skipper but a beer at the first bar helped soothe his leg. A second beer helped even more while Pat swam off the beach and Barrie and Margery discovered the delights of the town.

Barrie and Margery’s walk didn’t take too long. After all Marie Galante is a small island and St Louis is a small town therein.

Funny how small towns always seem to have big churches.

Still they seemed to have a nice area for the band to play

I’m being unkind – St Louis is a lovely little town and I could have spent a week there quite easily. But the big city was calling – Grand Bourg. I recklessly talked B and M into hiring scooters for the day but fortunately they had run out by the time we struggled ashore.  So Pat baled us out and found a bus instead.

What a contrast to little old St Louis!

See what I mean – much more sophisticated!

Haven’t seen these for a while!

The city harbour looked peaceful with a few fishing boats and not much else to disturb this out of the way island.

Suddenly bus loads of tourists pour in without having to make any effort to get there. It’s a problem these days – everything’s become too easy. Pay enough money and someone will take you there and serve you food and drink as you go. No effort.

Final observation – in both towns we visited in Marie Galante – there were statues to the memory of the first world war but nothing we found commemorating the second world war. I wonder why?

Next stop Martinique.