Tuesday 6th November
We checked out yesterday, but by the time we were ready to leave, having fuelled up and done the paperwork and the last bit of shopping, the afternoon was well advanced. We decided that having a rest and an early night would be sensible. I guess we are both sad of leaving Martinique and having a last night at anchor outside St Anne is much nicer.
The next morning we are up bright and early, it is only a 110 miles passage but given the conditions, it will probably take us around 20 to 24 hours. The wind is a bit patchy according to the forecast. We have a nice clear morning right up to Fort de France with a nice wind from our stern, we did not even need the main up, the genoa is giving us an average speed of 6 knots and it is very pleasant to watch the island going by. Beautiful views of the Diamant Rock .
The bay of Fort de France is barely visible by the time we get there. We have been watching the rain clouds gathering up and sure enough, the rain starts as soon as we enter the bay. Everything disappear in the torrential rain. Off course the wind pipes up and is all over the place direction wise. We know that we have to grin and bear it… it will be this way until we reach the other side of the bay. Sure enough as soon as we reach the other side, it all clears up and we can enjoy the view of the Soufriere volcano, topped with its blanket of white clouds.
By sunset we are approaching the Dominica channel. The swell and the wind in the channel is not so bad and the lights of Dominica twinkle in the distance, giving us something to aim for. Behind us, the glow of Martinique can be seen for miles. We have a few stars but the moon is invisible tonight. The wind comes and goes but we always have enough to keep us moving. The traffic at the top of Dominica is quite dense, loads of boats are out. A huge vessel towing a fuel barge is worried enough to call us on the VHF, we need to give him some room to let him pass us. Not a problem if we were not sandwiched between him and a cruise ship bearing down on us, lit up like a Christmas tree. We stall the boat to let them all go their merry way.
Sunrise finds us in the vicinity of our favourite islands, Les Saintes, glorious in the morning light. In contrast, Guadeloupe looks dark and overcast. Hopefully it will have all lifted up when we get there.
We got to Pointe a Pitre in the middle of the afternoon, the anchorage is a bit crowded and it does take us 3 goes before we are safely set…