Reporting on a couple of days here.

So what's not to like about Deshaies, apart from the screeching wind coming off the hills? But once the wind stopped it was a great place. Surprisingly not that heavily influenced by its use as a film set, although you do see the odd signed photo in restaurants. The shoreline has a few bars and restaurants along the front, so you can eat with the waves lapping at your feet.

Yesterday we went up to the botanical gardens, which have been created on the hill above the village. It's a great spot to see some of the different species that grow in these parts - and of course very fertile as is everywhere around here with the combo of rain, sun and volcanic soil. There are also fabulous local parrots in a walk-in aviary, which are very happy to use one as a perch and feeding station.

Today we are en route to Antigua, which will be one of the longer sails we have had for a while (about 50 miles). Another country, another flag, and back to EC dollars, English language and - apparently - Waitrose. At the time of writing we are enjoying a fine beat in a force 3-4 under a partly cloudy sky. Guadeloupe is getting smaller and Antigua is getting bigger. Whilst it's not a race, we have now enjoyed passing two of the boats that left well before us, and are making good ground on the third. On our port side we can see the island of Montserrat with its slightly smoky top (see picture). This is an active volcano that last blew up in 1995. The south of the island is off limits, but we believe you can land on the northern side if conditions are right. However, we don't think it's in the plan for this trip.

Jolly Harbour is a fine place to enter with its milky turquoise blue water. There was a super yacht in the bay called 'ACE' with a tender ship called 'Garcon' on which the helicopter, speedboats and various other toys were parked. Poor things, they draw too much to be able to enter the anchorage.

A fine evening was had with Phil and Norma from Minnie B - lovely to see them again. Looks like we will be travelling a similar path for the next couple of months.