Guadeloupe

With the Leewards behind us we have begun to make our way to the Windward Islands. With Nevis to our stern we cover 125nm in 25 hours arriving in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe on Saturday May 7th. Once again we set off on a Friday tempting fate, this time around the only downside is no wind, hence we find ourselfs motorsailing. Motorsailing seems to comprise 75% of our time underway, well its at low rpm's and not all that bad. That is if you can tune out the steady drum of the engine while also trying to ignore the cold rain/mist that stays with us most of the trip. OK, perhaps we should try another day other than a Friday to start a voyage.

We have great expectations for Guadeloupe. First off we have some visitors coming in for a weeks stay, John and Peggy from Stuart, FL. They were very good to us last year during our stint in Florida and we looked forward to returning the hospitality. Before they arrive we need to repair a few items and stock up on a number of others, at least we have air conditioning while in the Marina Bas du Fort. I mean, that is until the transformer blows and we have no shore power. Suffice it to say that Guadeloupe in May is HOT and HUMID. Oh well, things are coming together anyway.

What sort of projects you may ask? Well, just to mention a few: Replace battery isolator, remove starter from generator for testing, replace battery isolator, test alternator, remove and test starter (damn near electocute self while playing with starter motor), haul dinghy our of water and clean, repair the dinghy cover, sewing up all tears, clean and grease all wenches, clean boat (including the ever present mildew), and on and on and on (well you get the picture). Anyway, that's life on the water.

There are a number of single-handed sailors (many French) that spend time here and of course we stumble into two such hardy souls on our evening walk. Pasquel and Judd have both crossed the Atlantic alone, both in sailboats that are under 30', both are interesting characters. They also introduce us to T-Punch. T-Punch is a mixture of Rum (100 proof or better), cane suger and lime juice served in a small rocks glass over ice; without the sugar and lime the rum by itself would melt your teeth. This drink may explain why they do what they do. After a fun-filled evening of stories we bid them farewell as they are leaving that night for Antigua for a birthday party, just a short hop up-island.

Well our chores are done and our visitors have arrived so it is time for some relaxation and fun. Let's see what we can find.

this is Guadeloupe...

this too is Guadeloupe....

John in Guadeloupe.

Our island tour via our very own 4x4 5-speed is nothing if not exciting. Many of the roads are vertical and Ed's abilities with the manual transmission reveal Peggy's turrets symptoms as we slide backwards.

hey pal, pictures are $5 per....

Enough of this land cruising... so Ed can't drive a car anymore big deal. Back to the boat and we're of for Iles des Saintes, some 30nm off the coast of Guadeloupe and a step back and away from the pace of the larger island with its own wilderness and, of course, fort.

ah, careful there Bob

whew, Bob makes it down...

Fort Napolean

bunkers and munitions

Remember what we've said about forts in the Caribbean, and the views that they command....

The days simply fly on by, not to mention the years and it's the 18th of May another birthday for Ed, and another day at the beach.

ah, the birthday boy and his girl

and the birthday cakes...to windy to keep the candles lit!

Well, all good things must end as John and Peggy's visit draws to a close. We'd prefer the 'good' to continue... thank you very much! I digress; we up anchor and spend John and Peggy's last day & night anchored off of Ilet du Gosier where we can do some beach combing.