We have no internet here in Gosier, but will attempt to send this blog by Ham Radio. We haven't had to use it this year, so I'll attempt to reacquaint myself with all the settings and wires etc.
We left Saint Francois on Friday morning in high winds. The winds have been blowing hard all through the island chain making it difficult to move around from bay to bay. Sailing from one island to another is totally out of the question! When we arrived in Saint Francois, we knew that it was a tricky spot to get into, with markers indicating the channel to get in between the reefs. The guide book, Chris Doyle's, told us that we would be pushed in quickly with the current and breaking waves, but then we'd have to fight it all to get back out. He suggested that if the motor were to quit on the exit, then it would mean serious consequences. Of course, as we sat there at anchor, we watched the wind increase over the 3 days and also watched several boats pound their way out to sea. Then, it was our turn. Laurie started both engines and before we knew it, we were committed. It was a bit hairy, but within 15 minutes, we were on the outside with the normal high seas and waves. It's often the edges of the ocean that are the killers, not the ocean itself!
We headed for Saint Anne, which was only a couple hours along the coast and familiarized ourselves with the drawings in the guide and how it was laid out. Again, reefs were going to be an issue and the winds were strong and waves were breaking all over the place. We looked through the binoculars before we started the channel to discover that only ONE boat was anchored in at this popular spot. My vote was NO, we should carry on, but the captain won this one and in we went. Kite surfers were everywhere along with windsurfers trying to get air lifted along the edge of the coral in the breaking waves. The channel was narrow and full of these living, breathing obstacles! Once inside, we realized that it just as rough inside as out and a squall was upon us. Out came the rain coats as we headed back out through the channel.
Once outside, we decided upon Gosier, a little island outside the capital city which is slightly out of the stronger winds and waves. We dropped our hook amoung 30 other boats. The island is a real touristy place with water taxis delivering 20 people at a time all day long. Power boats come and go and it's a crazy place until the sun goes down. Swimming just at the back end of our boat was dangerous because of all the traffic. We haven't left the boat since we arrived because of boats coming and going and boats dragging anchors. It's just not safe.
This morning we listened to the weather on the Ham Radio and the discussion that followed, and it would seem that the winds will continue to be abnormally high until at least Wednesday. We plan to stay here for a couple more days and then make the 3 mile sail into Point a Pitre and await Hugh and Liz from home who will stay with us until Sunday, the 11th. Our time is being spent, pleasantly enough, with boat chores, reading and watching movies. We don't watch many movies on Cat Tales, however, we have power to spare with our wind mill cranking out more electricity than we can use.
