Change of Address

We just wanted to let you all know that we’ve moved. As of today we no longer live in Baie Mahault, but in Marina Bas-du-Fort in Point-à-Pitre. That’s the capital of Guadeloupe, named after a Dutchman called Peter.

After requesting permission from the Direction de la Mer, we sailed round the east side of the island today. The first few hours close-hauled were needed by both of us to get our sea legs back; we were rather out of practice.

To get a head start, we had already sailed out of the bay yesterday, 2 May. First, of course, the boat had to be tidied up: awning down, hammock down, dinghy back on the stern, all the loose bits inside stowed back in place, all the lockers shut. Ready for sea, in other words.

Then up anchor. As we’d already half feared, the first 10 metres of chain were covered in barnacles and stringy little weeds. Once Kees had scrubbed most of it off, I put the engine in forward and off we went. Or so you’d think. The boat didn’t budge an inch. So the anchor went back down and we had a look at the propeller. For that, Kees had to dive quite a way under the boat, which is no fun at all, because the bottom is completely covered in barnacles and they’re so sharp they’ll slice you to ribbons.

So Kees got out his dive gear and started by scraping the barnacles off the stern to clear a path to the propeller. It turned out to be completely encrusted with barnacles, weed and various other orange slimy critters. It still turned, but it had lost its shape, so it no longer had any grip on the water. By way of comparison: it’s like trying to cut with the back of a spoon instead of a knife.

Once the propeller was more or less clean, we could get going. We were making headway, but the growth still left on the hull was causing quite a bit of drag.

Just outside the bay we anchored off Port Louis, and we left there again early this morning.

So now we’re in a marina. People all around us, but we were ready for that. Kids playing on the pontoon. And as an extra treat: a takeaway pizzeria!!!!! Need I say more.

I had only just posted this when, on the stroke of 8 p.m., every horn and trumpet in the marina started blaring. We think it’s a thank-you to all the healthcare workers. A lovely gesture.