Jolly to Deshaises
True Colours
James Scrimshaw
Sun 15 Mar 2015 15:09
Friday night we went out with Sid and Peggy to a local restaurant (5 EC$ Friday, 4 beers plus a meal for £10!). Liz won a T-shirt at bingo. Then we said our farewells and returned to True Colours which we had moved to the dock area so we could make an early start.
We left Jolly Harbour at 06.00, hoisted a double reefed main and full jib, and headed south to Guadaloupe. Initially a good sail, but as we moved into the Antigua-Guagaloupe channel the seas built and it became quite uncomfortable. About 10 miles out - drama! Suddenly a line of fishing pots 10 metres in front, with a flag that had been hidden by the waves. Crash tack, engine on, but we could not avoid the last buoy and line which we caught; however it freed itself and we sailed on. Reduced genoa for one squall that never fully hit us, and retained a reduced sail for the rest of the trip.
We arrived at Deshaises at about 13.00. All mooring buoys taken, so we lowered anchor. First attempt the anchor held, but we were swinging too close to another boat. 2nd and 3rd attempts the anchor did not hold, so we moved to a different position and, bingo, it all was good.
Quick trip ashore (clear in, drinks and Internet), then back to the boat to eat and a good nights sleep.
This morning the anchor is still holding firm, so we have spurned an empty mooring buoy and are going ashore.