Hope's and Howard's Sailing Adventures

It was only when we rounded Big Cay, the most westerly point of Bequia, that we began to appreciate how many Grenadine islands there are. We passed between Pigeon Island and Isle a Quatre on our way to Mustique but could see many others, both to the east and south of us. Thank goodness for GPS to assist us in identifying them! Several other boats were approaching Mustique with us.. Read More

We both are agreed that the passage from Vieux Fort, St Lucia to Bequia was the most enjoyable we have had in a very long time. We started off by cautiously rolling out a reefed mainsail but it soon became clear that the wind was fairly steady at 15 knots or less and well aft of the beam so we soon shook out the reef and made good speed with.. Read More

The sail from Grand Anse D’Arlet, Martinique to Rodney Bay, St Lucia was only 28 nautical miles, so with 15 (+/- ~3) knots of wind out of the East (as usual), a course of about 170 degrees and a sea that became flatter as the passage progressed, we made quite a fast passage (average speed over ground was 8 knots), even with both mainsail and genoa reefed. Along the way,.. Read More

The passage from Dominica to Martinique was the longest at 53 n. miles of those we did with Sonia onboard. However, it passed fairly quickly and Sonia seemed to enjoy it because she was able to catch a few rays along the way, despite her misgivings about being cooped up on a boat for most of the day (unable to go for her customary run, etc.). We started off motoring.. Read More

While Les Saintes islands were magical small islands, very French in character, well-kept, colorful and with great opportunities for hiking over the hills where one discovers forts, more sandy beaches, cliffs, the wild Atlantic, pastures for cows, goats and sheep, etc., Dominica was an entirely different experience. Our 21 n. mile passage between the two saw us with a brisk sail in fairly lumpy seas so we were well reefed,.. Read More

Having thoroughly enjoyed the past week or so with Sonia, first in Guadeloupe, then Les Saintes for Christmas, the unspoiled Dominica with so much to offer the naturalist, and now Martinique (more blogs on each to follow), we all wish our readers a very happy, healthy and hopefully prosperous New Year.

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.. Read More