The pictures show in reverse order the north end of St Lucia, Diamond rock at the southern end of Martinique, Plane Song on the move and the beach at Anse Lane Martinique. The top picture is of an almond tree on the beach at L'Ane. I spent time drawing it over a beer or two! I haven't got the hang of placing text and pictures on the blog so this time I'm trying pictures first!
It was soon apparent that Mary was not going to have a good holiday sharing PS with Gail who was then paid off at some cost. Days later when we were at Harmony Bay, I discovered the parafin supply tank had been topped up with about 30 litres of water by Gail when she was asked to fill the water tanks while Mary and I attended to our arrival at Rodney Bay. Unfortunately, I was unaware of this and topped up the pressure tank which then clogged up the cooker when it was next used. As a result we had to cut short our stay and head back to Rodney Bay marina where I spent about 2 days dismantling the cooker and cleaning everything. The supply tank still has small amounts of water in it despite efforts to drain off the water, so I will have to remove most of the quarter berth to get access to the tank inspection plate-another two days work which will wait until lift out in Trinidad. Some people do not pay attention to instructions and repeated warnings about taking care filling water tanks.
The parafin incident limited what Mary and I could do but it was lovely to have her company in paradise for 3 weeks. She made it back to the UK just in time before the disruption caused by the volcanic dust from Iceland.
After many delays I finally had the lazy jacks fitted and some minor canvas work completed. I decided finding reliable crew was too much hassle. Distances between islands are in anycase quite small with only one, between Grenada and Trinidad, being more than a day sail. My first solo from Rodney Bay to Anse de Mitan Martinique was in perfect conditions. Checking into the island has to be the most simple and pleasant of all the places I have called at so far-a simple form on the computer in any of several locations around the island.
Anse de Mitan was not quite as I expected it to be despite having talked to a number of yachtsmen who had visited the anchorage. I took a dingy trip a mile round the corner to Anse L'Ane and found a really beautiful spot with very few other visiting yachts. There is a well stocked little super market where I can indulge my love of camembert and baguette. Wine is very keenly priced too. Sailmail HF connections are good in the evening and there is free wifi from a cafe from where I can see PS at anchor. Paradise is slightly spoilt by day mosquitoes and fast ferrys but its hard to imagine a better anchorage.
The view of Diamond rock is included because of its facinating history. St Lucia and Martinique have changed hands been the English and French many times in the past. At one time the Royal Navy managed to put a detachment of about 120 marines with canons on the rock who caused havoc to French ships. Some 12 thousand French troops never managed to dislodge them from what became HMS Diamond Rock. A cock up with resupply from St Lucia ended the saga.
From here I will head south to Anse de Miran which has many anchorages within it and the only large marina on the island. All the big hyper markets are there so it will be a joy to provsion!
