While it took a bit of effort to bring the boat down the Western shore of Guadeloupe in order to be in Pointe a Pietre for Sonia’s arrival by plane from Bordeaux via Paris today, it is just so wonderful to be reunited with her after 15 long months so it was all worthwhile. The passage from Deshaies on Monday was significantly more challenging than we expected based on forecasts we had seen, not only was the wind generally stronger than we expected but also very gusty. Fortunately we were sailing slightly off the wind but we were not expecting to see the almost 40 knot gusts that we experienced as the wind funneled down or around the mountains. There was no sail pattern that could have coped well with the range of winds we saw (~8 – 40 knots) so I was constantly adjusting the main sheet and traveller to help Howard helm through the gusts and take some of the strain off the rigging, etc., even with an already reefed mainsail and genoa. So, although we had hoped to sail all
the way to Pointe a Pietre, it became clear that the wiser decision was to stop in The Saints to rest rather than continue the battle to windward and with adverse tide. The following morning we set off refreshed and ready to face the final leg which we knew would become easier the closer we got to P a P.
Unfortunately we seem to be in a pattern of higher than usual Trade Winds that is predicted to last into the New Year. So, while we still hope to make it to Dominica and Martinique with Sonia onboard, we know there are ferries and planes that she could take, should she need to in order to catch her flight back to France on Jan 1st. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Today was perhaps the wettest day we have yet experienced in the Caribbean but at least it eased up enough for us to dinghy back to the boat with Sonia and keep reasonably dry. Tomorrow we plan to explore some of Guadeloupe’s major attractions in our rental car. Christmas Day may end up being the best day to make our passage to Dominica.
This bring our very best wishes to all for a very Happy Christmas/holiday.