Windwards at Last

Another Day; Another Currency: 24 Aug 08

Soufriere

Despite the morning calm in Roseau, the swell was really rolling in. I had already been up well before 5am (to settle my tummy….). So, the Cap’n & I quietly dropped the mooring and motored off into glass-like waters.  Again the depth of the seas amazed us. At 500m from shore, we measured a stunning 400ft down until the depth sounder couldn’t read anymore! Dominica has some amazing dive sites but the Cap’n would have to wait - again!

Scotts Head - early morning

We rounded Scotts Head hoping for a less boisterous ride on the 26nm crossing to Martinique, which was clearly silhouetted to the south.  Our destination was Anse Mitan a small bay on the south side of Baie de Fort de France; on another very French island (& euros again). Moving on to yet another overnighter – we were beginning to get dizzy! 

Morne Platpays from Scotts Head

Our wet ride continued on out from Dominica and into a bang on the nose southerly. Sails up; sails down; motor; sails up; sails down; motor….you get the idea. Waiting to greet us off Martinique was another wild storm off Mt Pelee, a volcano that erupted in 1902, killing some 30,000 residents of St Pierre. You can easily see the remains of the lava flow – it must have been horrendous for them. We continued to sail gingerly through thunder & lightening, rain squalls and an interesting cross swell; one SE & the other NE. Curiouser and curiouser!

Anse Mitan was well protected from the southerly swells but not from a regular ferry service that plied between Fort de France (and its exclusive French label shopping) and our anchorage. Anse Mitan is very French and very resort-ish. Despite the enticement of fresh baguettes (and even a lemon tart?), we decided not to clear in (so no getting off the boat) and ate the last of our fresh rations - tuna salad. There was no requests for seconds! Of course the tuna was tinned. Still no fish on our lures but a couple of dolphins at play – our first sighting!

From:  Roseau, Dominica  Lat/Long: 15 18N  61 24W  Date/Time: 24/8/08: 0730

To: Anse Mitan, Martinique Lat/Long: 14 34N  61 03W Date/Time: 24/8/08: 1600
Time Taken: 50nm (8.5hrs)  Distance (this year): 508nm (109hrs)
Distance Total (since 2008): 508nm  (109hrs)   Fastest Speed: 6.9kts **
Weather: Fresh Trade Winds ESE 10-15kts; 2-4ft cross swell;
(**Hollywood on a close reach)