Friday 21st February 2014: Position 15:17.21N 061:22.62W

Our passage from the Isles des Saintes to Roseau on the South west coast of Dominica was a typical Caribbean sail; 2-3m waves and winds of 25 knots between the islands, then calm seas and light variable winds in the lee of Dominica. Unfortunately, this was to be Sue’s final voyage with us before returning to the UK.

We found a comfortable and reasonably priced ($10/night) mooring by the Anchorage Hotel and a restaurant/bar with attached art gallery and adjacent fuel station (which was able to refill a Camping Gas bottle for us) by the dinghy dock near the Dominica Marine Center about 3/4 mile north west of the Anchorage Hotel.  The restaurant and art gallery are both owned by Tiffany Burnett-Biscombe, a Dominican lady who studied art in the UK and decided to open a restaurant when her mother retired from running one and gave her the cooking equipment. Tiffany also runs Dominica Yacht Services.

10 minutes walk from Tiffany’s is the Old Fort Hotel, which is reputedly the best on Dominica, has a very spacious feel to the grounds and is well staffed.  Beyond that lay the Cruise terminal where we found the Customs and Immigration office had already closed for the day.

That evening, we ate at The Bistro which is the converted upstairs part of a large house near the Old Fort Hotel and provided excellent food and service.

The following morning we returned to Customs and Immigration to carry out the necessary formalities.  A few enquiries told us that Sue’s taxi fare to the airport would be EC$200 (US$80), but the Old Fort Hotel kindly allowed Sue to join their shuttle bus to the airport for just $30.  Tiffany gave Chris a lift to the Old Fort with Sue’s bags and we three remaining repaired to the boat before going back to Tiffany’s later for dinner and an internet connection.

We had experienced considerable help and kindness from the people we met in Dominica, which is a relatively poor island.

Moored by the Anchorage Hotel

Our parting view of Dominica’s rugged landscape