We spent almost three weeks in beautiful Martinique. We extended our stay in Point du Bout marina so that Jonathan could take some lessons wing-foiling. His first lesson was on a windsurfer board so the he could learn to use the wing. Technology is great – he wore a helmet in which a microphone allowed him to hear the instructor giving tips, even at a great distance. He returned very proud that he had not fallen off and was looking forward to using the foil. They say pride comes before a fall…and Jonathan had many. The instructor took his victims to the eastern side of Les Trois Ilets bay and then released them into the strong winds. This gave them the whole bay to drift and foil westwards into even stronger winds and choppy seas. It was really hard work and Jonathan returned exhausted each day with a whole array of rainbow coloured bruises.. Nonetheless he absolutely loved it and hopes to take more lessons with view to possibly buying his own foil and wing. I had a lovely time browsing the shops and galleries of Point du Bout.
We sailed off to explore more of the island and had an exciting, windy, gusty sail up to St Pierre. A catamaran entering the bay before us looked to have twisted its sail and then we realised it was completely torn in two horizontally. The crew were able to haul down the lower half but the top was jammed and twisted-not much fun! As we entered the bay we were hoping for shelter but the winds remained strong…29 knots even as we approached our mooring buoy. Still we moored safely and were able to appreciate the fabulous bay at St Pierre, tucked under the magnificent Mont Pelée volcano. The volcano erupted in 1902 killing all but three of its 30,000 inhabitants. The town has been rebuilt and has a sleepy artisanal atmosphere, a great contrast to the chic cosmopolitan feel of the southern towns.
We have spent the past week in the lovely anchorage of Ste Anne and in the marina at Le Marin. The marina is huge and well kept with lots of bars, restaurants and chandlers. It’s an ideal place to stop on the way up the windward isles to restock and do repairs. We had a bit of a disaster at the dinghy dock in Ste Anne when our dinghy was pushed right under the dock and became crushed as the tide rose. It broke the housing of the battery connection on our electric outboard so we had to attempt a repair with a piece of rigid plastic, gorilla glue and sicaflex. Fingers crossed that it will hold. Our dinghy repair did not, so the floor deflates over the course of a short journey. I expect we’ll have to order some replacements for next season.
In Le Marin we met up with fellow Vikings, Frank and Rosi, who were having repairs to their Genoa furler. It was great to catch up and we had some really great meals out in their company. Our last night in the marina was brilliant. The live bands playing at the KoKoaRum bar drew us in and the final act was incredible. Si Senǒr- two French guys, looking as though they had stepped out of Mumford and sons and the Sex Pistols, played an amazing set of Flamenco Rock whilst their miming and facial expressions lit up the audience with their joie de vivre. What a great evening.
After another night at anchor on Ste Anne, with the most stunning sunset, we are heading south to St Lucia do have some electrical work done on the boat before we meander, via all the beautiful islands, back to Grenada.
Ouch! Xx