15:53.00N 61:39.0W

Iles des Saintes is a small group of islands just south of Guadeloupe. The steep red and brown cliffs make a wonderful back drop to the crystal clear waters that surround the islands. We decided that was where we wanted to spend Christmas so we had a cracking sail over and dropped anchor in a beautiful bay called Pain a sucre, all was well until the northerly swell decided to rear its ugly head. We rocked and rolled most of the night and decided that we should seek another anchorage closer to the town for Christmas Eve. This also meant that we could go and explore the town and eat out!

 

The town , Bourg des Saintes is on the largest island, Terre D'en Haut and is very French. It used to rely almost entirely on fishing but in the last decade tourism has become the major industry. The town was fairly quiet when we went to explore as it was Christmas Eve but we did manage to find a local band playing at the bakers and we stopped to listen and have a beer in the sun. We decided to eat out at Le Genois a great little restaurant right on the waters edge for our Christmas Eve treat and the food was great - smoked swordfish pate was recommended and i have to say it was yum. 

Christmas Day and yet again we have another very rolly night  - but not to be put we off  - we are still like little kids and tear open our Christmas presents, of course our christmas present to ourselves was the new dinghy and outboard! So after calling the folks and receiving our first Sat phone call from Nick and Lynds we set off for our Christmas hike to Bay de Pompiere. We climbed to the highest peak and got some great views and looked around the famous fort (which was shut as it was xmas day) and then we descended to the beach.  

It was a very pretty cove with palm trees and shade huts everywhere. We had a swim and chilled out for a few hours. We kept having to pinch ourselves to make sure we were not dreaming!! 

By mid afternoon we headed back to the boat in search of a non rolly anchorage and Christmas dinner. We found it at last. We got tucked inside one of the islands and it was flat calm, what better Christmas present! We then set to with margaritas and a full on dinner with (i have to say ) the best roast potatoes i have ever cooked on a boat!! With full tummy's and a bottle of wine we plonked ourselves in front a DVD and chilled out. 

Boxing day meant back  to work with a full engine service, followed by more varnishing.........some things never change. Off to Dominica tomorrow and looking forward to more hiking. Hope you all had a great Christmas filled with much laughter and joy.

Until next time.

Abientot

Em and J xxx