Bonjour - Guadeloupe
Pelekan
Tom & Jos Hollway
Sun 7 Apr 2013 12:21
16:23.00N 61:49.00W
Sunday April 7th 2013
The new genoa has been launched. The first outing was to Jolly Harbour, a short stay and then back. As it happens two extremely enjoyable sails with our friend Joe. We re - anchored in Freemans bay and have been doing boat chores at a leisurely pace.
The water maker functions when it feels like it. Slow to build up to pressure and sometimes no build up at all - hence no water produced.
Finally the day before yesterday enough was enough, we checked out of Antigua and sailed to Guadeloupe. It is only 40 miles but within minutes we were in confused seas resulting in that well known food mixer motion. Tom wanted breakfast post departure but he had to wait until mid afternoon for the bacon buttie to be produced!
We are now at anchor in Deshaies about half a mile from the lethal dingy dock and with little chance of arriving in dry clothing. The dingy dock is high. Though new, several sections have been removed. The result is that you have to launch yourself onto it, but must not lose your balance, thereby avoiding falling down one of several 4' by 6' holes with sharp metal struts underneath. We have only done it in daylight so far but I noted the absence of any lighting so presumably the hospitals are filled with injured ( drunken) sailors trying to return to their boats after a hefty "menu" ashore.
Of course Guadeloupe is a french island so the roads are beautifully tarmacked, courtesy of the EU. We have hired a car fro three days and already discovered that though the roads are windy with deep ditches at the edge the speed and standard of driving is very french.....
Yesterday we visited the local botanical gardens - absolutely beautiful and "worth a detour" by Michelin guide standards. Today we are in search of the Coffee Museum. The plan is to return to Antigua mid week.
Au revoir for now
Tom and Jos