Bit windy 'round 'ere
Calema
Fri 21 Feb 2003 21:11
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Ever since we left Grenada the trade winds have
been repaying us admirably for their absence earlier in trip. Loads of boats
were holed up in Rodney Bay waiting for thr forecast to drop below 25 knots.
Such behaviour did not come easily to us and we have continued to press north
with stops in St Anne, Marin, Trois Islets and St Pierre (all in
Martinique). We are leaving tomorrow for Dominica which is 25 mile open water
hop which promises to be as rough as all the others.
While in Rodney Bay we had supper and drinks
(twice) with John and Christine Lytle who seem to dealing with retirement
admirably as they moved slowly south to Trinidad. Teg and I enjoyed a great
day's windsurfing of pigeon point before leaving in 20-30 knots of hot
turquise wind (but no waves). We will validate carrying all that
kit!
Martinique is certainly different to the rest of
the islands we have visited. The roads have no potholes, all the cars are new
(and French), everything shuts for lunch and the alimentations are full of
wonderful french food. Good french wine is cheaper here than in the UK so we
have dropped a couple of inches in the water again.
Certain bureaucratic institutions have rather
overcooked their gallic lunch hour by not opening at all! Our jousting
with Carribean customs offices continues and intensifies as today we had to hire
a car and travel all the way to Fort de France to clear customs so we can leave
tomorrow. The office here in St Pierre didn't open all day so no choice. Luckily
we were going to hire a car anyway to enable us to climb Mt Pelee where there is
no powder (or ash) at the summit but alot of horizontal rain. It last erupted in
1902 killing all but 2 of the inhabitants of St Pierre and creating a mini
Pompeii as below.
 Socilaising has continued with a frightening
pace as we keep bumping in to new friends and their rum. Here Teg and I
are sitting on Andrew and Vicky's S&S 42. Surely they're not going to make
me drink that!
 As we sailed across the Rade de Fort de France
yesterday, I had to strap Teg to the wheel to stop her from shaking out the 2
reefs in the main and tiny headsail. We were already doing 7.5knots in
absolutely flat water in 30+ knots of breeze but faster faster was the cry. She
is, as you can see in full metal jacket.
 Off to Dominica tomorrow for some eco tourism
before on to Antigua.
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