The Passage to Guadeloupe 18th May 2013

After a quiet meal at the ‘Piano & Steak Bar’ on Friday evening ( back in Jolly Harbour) we were not in the mood to lift the engine and tender.  So early the next morning we made an effort to get it done before being at the Customs dock at Jolly Harbour.  Saturday is the weekend and we were delayed by a late opening.  However I had a good chance to pass the time with ‘Ramsie’ the Boss who truly epitomises the Antiguan way of life.  He told me that he easily manages to remember the Yacht names if people return year on year and I can vouch that he is one of the best ambassadors for his country.  I’m looking forward to next time!
     So at 9.30 after coffee and strawberry cup cake with Ramsie we slipped the customs dock and set off for Guadeloupe.  Having sighted many fishing buoys ’Piano’ failed to snagg any—or touch any shallow sea bed.  By 10.00 we had set  three reefs in the main with full Yankee and staysail and we were roaring along on a close reach at 7.7 knots!  I had prepared lunch while at the customs dock so we ate ravenously around three in the afternoon. As we approached Deshaies we could see rain over the mountains so Rolled 1/3 of the yankee ( in case there was an acceleration zone). 17.00 we anchored in Deshaies Bay 16° 18’North 61° 47’ West and had tea.  Malcolm then went ashore to clear in ( just a French computer in a general store).
    On Sunday we had an enforced day off due to torrential rain but the upside was that I could finish my part of the quiz and yes Malcolm did his too!
  Monday we took the empty dive bottle in to the dive shop to be filled (5€ ) and they also checked my identification of species so that I could email the final part of the quiz.
  Next we made a visit to the Botanical Gardens—It was MORE expensive than Wisley but even so well worth it. I’ll tel the snaps tell the story. Koi Carp at the entrance:

Map of the Gardens:

A walk in bird avery with brightly coloured Parakeets.  They were tame enough to know that the dispenser gave a sugar drink.

Plenty of Palms :

Bromeliads :

Orchids :

Then a 50 ft waterfall complete with Flamingo enclosure.

Further on a village of McCaw houses with pairs of birds mostly sleeping.  We could see that they had a fun life with tight-ropes and various items of fun around.  (I suspect that their wings had been clipped).

After the tour we had another brilliant meal in the hilltop restaurant and then a leisurely walk down hill to the jetty.
Malcolm took a detour to Pointe Batterie.  A few loose cannons and a picnic area:

    Unfortunately Hemingway's Restaurant is now a ruin with a 700,000 € restoration grant from the European Community!!!
  Tuesday we needed a few items from the shops so took time to tour the small town.  It has a LARGE library, TIC, market area, bakery with coffee shop, tennis courts and all the local shops needed.  Not much in the way of tourism since it is a small village, not on the cruise liner run. Lunch was crunchy fresh French bread and quiche with salad etc from the bakery. As we were finishing S/Y Mistral arrived and came alongside to say Hi.  I mention this as Dave the fridge man was aboard and we haven’t needed anything done recently.   After tidying away we motored round to Pigeon Island Anchorage.  This lies in the Cousteau Marine Park so has good snorkelling and dive sites. I actually followed a small turtle along the rocks.