Finally leaving Guadeloupe and arriving in Antigua
Nimue
Wed 2 Mar 2011 22:13
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With a good weather window approaching in the next few days for the
crossing to Antigua, we departed Les Saintes bound for Deshaies on the north
west coast of Guadeloupe. We encountered a lively crossing from Les
Saintes to the mainland and then hit typical wind holes up to our anchorage for
the night in Anse a la Barque. Jonas and Heather on Sea Otter joined us in
this tranquil anchorage, but we were all rather disappointed that the sea was
too murky to do any decent snorkelling. Anyway at least we could jump in
and cool off. This was a good opportunity to entertain Jonas and Heather
with my Paella, which they said was one of the best they’ve had! Thanks
very much J&H.
Leaving Les Saintes
Approaching the West coast of Guadeloupe and Vieux Fort lighthouse
Approaching Basse Terre and the mighty La Soufriere volcano clearly visible
One of the many splendid graveyards seen in Guadeloupe
Watching Sea Otter anchoring at Anse a la Barque A fairly early start the next day, as we wanted to anchor for
lunch around Pigeon Island, which Jacques Cousteau brought to international
attention a few decades ago by declaring it to be one of the world’s top dive
sites. The waters surrounding the island are now protected as the Reserve
Cousteau, an underwater park. In fact there is an underwater statue of Mr
Cousteau and divers who touch the statue’s head are supposed to have good luck
and good diving for the rest of their underwater lives. Anyway by the time
we arrived, it was overcast and raining, so we gave it a miss and headed
straight for Deshaies. As we got closer to the anchorage the wind was
blowing ‘old boots’ in a northerly direction. We were both hoping this would
change to a more easterly direction in the morning, as was forecast. The
anchorage was really busy with boats waiting for the same weather window.
In fact we noticed Scott Free anchored a couple of hundred metres away from us
and it turned out they too were heading off to Antigua the following
morning.
Heading for Pigeon Island
Tourist/Dive boats outside the Jacques Cousteau Reserve dive site Up a dawn the next day and ready for departure at first
light. Nimue, along with a multitude of boats, including Scott Free set
sail into a grey, miserable morning. With 2 reefs in the sails we were
making good progress to English Harbour, Antigua. Scott Free were slightly
off the wind to us and were making towards Jolly Harbour. Anyway as
we clocked up the miles, the weather remained grey and dismal and Michael and I
both questioned each other as to whether we were actually in the Caribbean, as
it felt more like the English Channel! On contacting Scott Free on the
VHF, they too had the same thoughts and like us they were all togged up in wet
weather gear. Half way across and the wind just died, so it was quite
funny to see all the yachts near us pull in their headsails and motor for the
remainder of the crossing.
Steve at the helm of Scott Free
And there is Chris too!
Scott Free looking good under sail (of course she’s a Contest)
Splosh!
That was a big one!
Could it be the English Channel, no this really is the Caribbean?
Michael and I all dressed up – a novelty!
  Michael hoisting the Antiguan courtesy
flag and our first views of English Harbour
On arriving at English Harbour, it initially looked really
busy, but as we ‘poked our nose’ in we saw a couple of good anchorage spots in
Freemans Bay. This was a perfect location and Michael was thrilled
to be next to Nelsons Dockyard. To top it all the sun came out, so all was
good for our first time in
Antigua. |
!