15:52.28N 61:35.09W Dominica to Iles des Saintes
Gaudeo
John and Prue Quayle / John Quayle
Sat 9 Feb 2008 17:34
Another spanking sail, this time with an average of 30 knots across the
deck. Incidentally, the wind between islands since leaving Grenada has never
been less than 20 knots and this together with frequent showers, albeit
usually light and brief has provoked occasional muttering from the crew!
With stream again in our favour, we made 8.5 knots over ground thus making
the 20 mile passage to the delightful Iles des Saintes, close to Guadeloupe,
before lunch. Its Euroland again, a Breton like island except for the excess
of boutiques near the landing stage to entice day trippers from Guadeloupe.
There were a large number of yachts anchored off the Bourg, mostly of the
serious blue water type and only a few of the charter variety.
Among the highlights were French cuisine in the Bourg on Terre d`en Haut,
and snorkelling off a
beautiful almost deserted beach on Ilet Cabrit where we were privileged to
view numerous pelicans diving around the boat. They seemed to take a close
interest in Prue and Sally on trespassing over the feeding area.
A touch of drama was provided earlier in the day with the sudden deflation
of part of the dinghy during a run ashore across the anchorage at the Bourg.
Fortunately we just
reached a beach in time. The cause was an inflation valve which had been
twisted with the extra weight and required only minor adjustment.
On returning at dusk from Ilet Cabrit after our beach day, we had a
difficult
time anchoring in strong wind among other yachts in the rather crowded, deep
water anchorage. It took the best part of an hour and a half and 6-7
attempts to dig in the anchor at an acceptable place, a record for us and
an entertaining time for those on other yachts. All quite an exciting end
for the Panks and Sally who sadly had to depart at dawn this morning by
ferry to Guadeloupe, onwards by plane to Antigua, and then home.
