We sailed over night from Guadalope on what might be called rather a blustery day. We by past the Saints and the wind got up to around 20 knots. We put 3 reefs in the main ( come on now – I have explained this before. We make a big sail into a smaller sail) and we wound the foresail in to 2 reefs and we were set. Now we had Bob ( Hydrovane self steer) taking us to our destination which was pretty close hauled. However, we were up wind from our track so I was pretty happy.
As night fell we could see the sun go down and we both concentrated hard waiting for the elusive green flash. However, there was not even a fizzle ( is this a myth I am beginning to wonder to keep cruisers occupied at sundown?)
We were taking it in turns on watch after spicy sausage and pasta evening meal. Rain seemed to creep up on us when we least expected it and at one point I am sure Mandy crept out the forward hatch and threw a bucket of salt water over me, then quickly getting back in to bed and acting all innocent. Either that or a rogue wave ( that only seems to happen on my watch)
The wind increased and our speed was a good 6 and a half knots. At this rate we would reach Martinique in the dark. I replotted our journey to head further south to Fort de France. I was beginning to think that we were going to reach that in the dark and I did not fancy trying to weave in and out of unlit boats that are often in anchorages to find a spot.
I need not have worried as behind the lee of the land the wind lessened and then died completely. We had to finish the trip under engine for the last couple of hours and arrived at 0530 hrs ten minutes after full day light. The rain was but a drizzle as we found a spot and anchored first time.
We have been here a couple of days now and the rain comes down pretty hard at times, I recon we must have put at least 50 litres of water back into our tanks. Our last trip a shore we bumped in to the couple on " Marianne II" who we last saw in Prickly bay Grenada.
Created by Secret_Smile
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