Dominica

Prince Rupert Bay, Portsmouth, Dominica

leaving Prince Rupert Bay, Portsmouth, Dominica

February 10...Last night a beach barbecue put on by the P.A.Y.S., the local boat boys (men actually) who protect Prince Rupert Bay and the cruisers by patrolling in the night. Excellent food - rice, salad, chicken and fish and of course the infamous rum punch. Dancing into the evening. Good fun had by all for only 50ECs.
February 7...After a pleasant sail from Roseau to Portsmouth, we arrived to a very crowded anchorage and no Martin of Providence in sight. We did manage to anchor on the north side and thought we were safe. It is very grassy but sheltered, however, somehow we managed to drag. We decided to move and tried various spots to no avail. Finally in the center of the anchorage toward the main dock, we managed to find a clear spot and dropped the hook. About ten p.m we noticed we were perilously close to another boat and had to move fast! We raised the anchor, and motored to a shallow spot with other boats way back behind us. We had an anchor watch all night long as the anchor had previously popped loose. It did hold until about 8 a.m. and then..........drifting again. Anchor up, radioed Martin and requested a mooring pin. Luckily someone had left and one was available. Safe! We slept a couple of hours and then proceeded to town. Much more relaxed at this time. Even planning on leaving the boat for dinner out!

an interesting house on the back street in Portsmouth

view to nmooring field with Martin, Providence at dock

February 6...Heard there were two people overboard. The coast guard kept radioing the position which was very close to us but we never did figure out whether there were two and one had been found and whether the other one had eventually been found as well. Martinique and Dominican coast guard were out looking for him but no news was heard. A very long walk for me yesterday through the town of Roseau, the capital. Legs sore after walking along the cobblestones for 1 1/2 hours. Managed to find some pain au chocolate and croissants! Off today for Portsmouth.

Roseau from the dinghy dock

after customs check in

view from customs dock of Roseau

Martinique

February 6...Presently in Roseau, Dominica. A very nice sail yesterday from St. Pierre with an overnight stay there. Have to say, Martinique is a great place and if I were to charter, it would be from Marin. They have a huge number of boats, port is nice, but Martinique itself has a lot of nice anchorage spots. The French government has put in lots of infra structure and cleaned up the old fishing villages and the harbours themselves - they all have new dinghy docks which makes going ashore a pleasure - getting in and out and being able to dock and lock the dinghy - and it feels very safe as well. Only problem here is they have another strike on - don't know if it is only for fuel and gas but Martinique and Guadeloupe apparently have none or a limited supply. No problem for us as we have lots of diesel to keep going. At St. Pierre, we checked out and purchased French wines, baguettes and cheeses to keep us going until Guadeloupe. Peter also purchased some fresh marlin steaks from a local fisherman - 7E for three large steaks. Cooked them up that evening - par excellence! St. Pierre was the Paris of the late 1800's early 1900's. There were some very wealthy landowners here but the eruption of Mt Pelee destroyed much of the town and killed many many.

view of market with Mt. Pelee in background - always seems to be cloud covered

rebuilt Catholic church

street scene

monastery gardens

view of harbour

spectacular sunset

Here it also looks as if they are doing improvements to the main pier and the market area along the waterfront.

so exciting the pod of dolphins - they actually talkedto us!

playfull dolphins en route

At Grand Anse d'arlet, a good sail by the way, from Marin, we met up with Isabella and Andy, our Peterborough friends, for drinks and dinner. They are heading south to St Lucia and will put their boat up in Grenada again. We spent an extra day here at the beach. It is lovely and would gladly have spent a few extra days here. Maybe another time.

Grand Anse d'arlett

beach at Grand Anse d'arlet

my shrimp dinner!

more masts in Marin

and more......

February 1...After a false start leaving Rodney Bay due to a faulty radiator hose, we arrived in Cul de Sac de Marin, Martinique this afternoon. Good motor sail over ,pleasant winds and not too hot. This is an extremely busy port -  relatively new charter area, chandlery and customs offices and stores. We had a difficult time in the mooring field deciding where to place our anchor! Lots and lots of boats and the anchorage is crowded. After a good shop today, for cheese, wine, bread and beer, hopefully at reasonable prices, we plan to leave for Grand Anse d'arlett tomorrow morning.

coming  into Marin

view of large Club Med coming into the port

the port from Mango Bay bar - there must be 5 time this many masts

St. Lucia

January 31...Last night dinner at Rituals, a Japanese restaurant on the boardwalk. Peter was adventurous and opted to come with us. We had a lovely tempura appetizer and I was amazed at how well Peter handled the chopsticks for someone who did not eat Asian food. In the middle of his surf and turf maki rolls he looked at my chopsticks and asked why I had split them up. (remember when you get them in a package they are stuck together at one end).  Dave and I looked at each other and laughed and laughed. Peter had been eating his food with the sticks together and just splitting them up partially. He thought that was the way it was done - it made sense to him - Oh Peter!

Jacques French restaurant

January 29...Ladies lunch at Bay Garden Resort - gorgeous pool and great lunch.

flag man on Reduit Beach

quick rain storm on the beach

NOW THIS IS A POOL!

Bay Garden Resort on Reduit Beach

January 28...Spent Sunday at Reduit Beach, lunch at Spinakers then rented beach chairs. Peter read while I went for a walk along the beach.No camera or tablet but will go back tomorrow to take pictures.  Yesterday evening went to a lovely French restaurant, Jacques, which I noticed the other day on our way into the marina. We started out with a salmon appetizer which Peter says will become his trademark recipe! Then rack of lamb (New Zealand) and fresh dorado for me. Presentation was superb with a vast variety of vegetables - red cabbage, sweet potato, broccoli, crisp plantain, carrots and more. Not a large portion but arrangement was worth a picture. Unfortunately, no camera! Dessert was crepe suzette which I had forgotten even existed. Presently waiting at Cafe Ole for Dave to arrive.

view from Cafe Ole to the mega docks

January 24...Spent yesterday in Castries, took in local bus which was 5ECs for the both of us.

main intersection in Castries

close up of main intersection

three cruise ships in the town of Castries

lots of tourist stalls - all selling the same thing for the same price even when you bargain

January 22...Presently in Rodney Bay Marina. Having some maintenance comleted - forward head button, radar quotes and cleaning of fuel, completed one port and working on another today. And perhaps today some time to beach it or wander the island. Nice breeze today and would be a lovely sail to Martinique with east south east ,13, but hoping that these winds will keep until we are ready to move on.

January 19

leaving The Pitons yesterday

 last night's sunset

January 17...Arrived Soufriere yesterday after a nine hour trip, pin to pin, full main, reefed head sail. Customs this morning and lunch in town.

from the restaurant

the Petit Piton

This plague is in the middle of the road - they have paved around it!

Interesting isn't it

street scene

church and main square

quite large inside

view of Petit Piton from town - we are moored just under, 54EC Park fee for two night mooring, plus 30 EC for boat boy to locate and help with line!