It's a tough life...
LIBERTAD
Paul Huntley
Sun 22 Mar 2009 14:09
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Hi all,
We are currently on our way to Les Saintes - a
group of smaller islands off the south of Guadeloupe. Libertad is steadily
taking us north to be in Antigua by next weekend for our extra crew members to
join.
I think Dad's last update was before our mammoth
hiking experience on Dominica, so i'll start from there...
After arriving in Rousseau on Thursday we thought
we would take some time out from sailing and spend the following day seeing a
bit of the island - our Rough Guide book had recommended several waterfalls
that all seemed fairly close together on a small map and described as involving
'gentle walking' so we were all up bright and early on Friday morning to start
the adventure. After a hair-raising 40 minute near-death bus ride up to Laudat -
a village high up in the rainforest, we all rather enthusiastically set off up
the hill in search of the recommended sightseeing hot spots.To cut a long story
short, 3 hours later we were still heading up the same hill and the old man was
struggling.... In the end we abandoned Dad at the bottom of a 45 minute round
hike to a freshwater lake - nestled between volcano craters. It was really
quite eerie up there and with the boys teasing me about being scared of snakes,
by throwing sticks at me and shouting 'SNAKE!' as we were trekking through
thick rainforest - I had had quite enough! The blisters started to kick
in, the temperature was around the 30'C mark and our short enjoyable walk was no
longer as such! We walked back into Laudat and then down towards Middleham Falls
- a 200ft waterfall deep in the Dominican rainforest. Another 90 minutes later
we finally arrived and Tim and Ewan went for a refreshing dip in the freeeeezing
water - I was content to sit on the side and get soaked by all the spray. It was
definately worth the trek but we are all still suffering with aches and pains 2
days later - shows what a fit bunch of crew Dad has recruited for his boat! Once
back in Rousseau it was decided that since England won the cricket a celebratory
KFC was in order - Tim and Ewan went off to purchase said KFC and Dad headed
back to Libertad to pick up Doris (the dinghy) to go and collect the boys to
save them walking all the way back. However, Doris had other ideas and it wasn't
her day - something to do with filters in fuel tanks falling off....Dad ended up
having to be towed back as the engine conked out after 5 minutes! After a calm
assessment of the situation by Dad (NOT!) it was decided that Doris was no quick
fix - and Dad headed out with the oars to row to shore and pick up our dinner,
oh and the boys.... So not the best end to a tiring day!
All was well again the next day, with a piece of
string tied around the loose part Doris was fighting fit once again. We watched
a huge cruise ship dock just north of our mooring over breakfast and then set
off for Portsmouth, a short 3 hour jaunt up to the northern end of Dominica. The
day then consisted of swimming, cleaning, washing and throwing frisbees and
tennis balls to burn off some energy - we managed to secure a small section of
beach and some of the locals joined in too. Back to the boat for a quick wash
and change and then back out to dinner - We all had fish and then a few beers in
an ajoinining bar.
As I said, Libertad is now on her way north to Les
Saintes and then Guadeloupe tomorrow. I spotted some whales this morning whilst
sunbathing on the bow which was pretty cool. The boys are still attempting to
fish now and again but without much success - although I am reassured that they
will land something thiiiiiiiiii........iiiss big before long and their
masculinity will be duly reinstated.
Right, must away, bread to make before lunch.
It's a tough life but someone has got to do
it!!
Lots of love, Sarah.
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