17:08.50N 62:38.10W

 

After two longish days  we have dropped our hook in Little Bay on the north west corner of Montserrat. The sailing to get here has been more relaxed than of late, firstly we are on a reach i.e. square on to the wind and the sea state has settled a little. Averaging speeds of 6s and 7s knots we travelled from Roseau to Guadeloupe where we overnighted and then onto Montserrat. We had a remarkable sighting whilst sailing along the western coast of Guadeloupe in the late afternoon. About a 100m off our beam a sperm whale rose for half its length from the deep and smashed onto the surface with a crash. It them proceeded to do it again and again. Just then its calf did exactly the same following the master class. We passed them by looking at this amazing sight for the next few minutes or so.

 

Montserrat has suffered a lot over recent years, in 1989 hurricane Hugo hit the island and then in 1995/6/7 eruptions obliterated the capital Plymouth and has made the whole of the south of the island uninhabitable devastating the economy. Half the former population of 10,000 have left. 

 

On this occasion we approached the island along its west coast to see the devastation from the sea. The charts advise keeping at least 2 miles off shore in case of activity. The volcano is under constant supervision from the observatory which hope to visit tomorrow.

 

Well we had hoped to go to the volcano Observatory today but we woke to strong winds rain and low cloud. After messing about for a while hoping that things would improve we decided to head off the 32 miles to Nevis. A cold wet decision initially. This turned out to be a first broad reach/run of the voyage and gave some practice with poling out the head sail. We are now anchored in Charlestown Bay. We will clear customs and immigration tomorrow and head off north to a quieter bay.

 

Montserrat

 

The south lava flow on Montserrat