Janice & Mick on Zoa

20240424 Anse A Lane Lat 14 deg 32.618'N Lon 061 deg 04.297'W

We arrived here 1st light a couple of nights ago on Janice's Birthday, after a mixed trip
down here, it was pretty uncomfortable for the 1st half of the channel between
Dominica and Martinique there was a lot of short sharp waves that were slowing is
down and the boat was bobbing around like a Hobby horse, but it settled down in the
end and was quite nice.
We went in to St Pierre at about midnight hoping that the full moon would give us
enough light to anchor, but there were a lot of boats there and we didn't feel
comfortable anchoring, it's a bit hard even in the day as its a narrow shelf you anchor
on and quite deep.
So we motored slowly down the coast in very light winds arriving here just on sun
rise.
We anchored at or close to our usual spot, and both fell asleep once we were settled
in.
We had a nice meal on the boat for Jan's Birthday, it was a beautiful evening and
neither of us could be bothered going ashore.
I got up 1st thing and hiked over to Anse Mitan and checked in yesterday, it was a
nice walk about 3.5 k each way, we then made some water then went shopping and for
a nice swim in the evening.
It would be nicer anchored at Anse Mitan, but it is packed, we feel better here, it
comes up a bit windy in the day, but is beautiful in the evening and through the night.
Alls going well, and we are not sure how long we will stay, only a few days I think,
then a bog hop to Bequia.

20240419 Des Saintes Lat 15 Deg 52.075'N Lon 061 Deg 35.172'W

We had a long Motor down here yesterday, after a nice stop at Deshaies, a little sea
breeze did pop up, but it was on the nose and very light, I was happy to keep the
engine running as the batteries got a good charge and we made some water.
The stitching has come undone on the flexible solar panels, so we are low on charging
capacity, but the new fridge has helped a lot, it uses much less power, and being in the
Caribbean its usually windy so the wind generator is great, but light winds cause us to
struggle keeping the batteries charged.
The Saintes are a great place, we spent a lot of time here last year, we will probably
stay a few days.
We have picked up a mooring, it looks in OK condition, there are a lot of moorings
here, it's a tough decision, its convenient to take a mooring, but you don't really know
what kind of condition its in, I did snorkel on it and it looked OK, but its often too
deep to do that. however the mooring operators seem pretty professional here, and its
nice to put some money into the community, Its very crowded in a lot of anchorages,
and anchoring is hard, so I think there will be more and more Moorings,
Apart from that all's well, I think we will keep heading south at a pretty steady pace,
then spend some time in the Grenadines, there is plenty to do there and its close to
where we will lift out for Hurricane season.

20240417 Deshaies Lat 16 deg 18.501'N Lon 061 Deg 47.964'W

We had a mixed bag Sailing down from Antigua yesterday, probably 50 / 50 sailing
and motoring, but it was a nice trip, the anchorage here is crowded as usual, but we
managed to find a spot.
We had a OK time in Antigua, the weather was not really on our side, and with the
anchorage very crowded, it was a long wet trip to the dinghy dock, so it was a matter
of a couple of days hanging out on the boat hoping the anchor didn't drag.
But we had a few nice days and had a look around locally, topped up with fuel and
water ect.
It was also getting close to race week and we were anchored amongst all of these
beautiful traditional boats, there was probably a dozen of them at times, some 200' or
so just gleaming of varnish and teak, there was also some more modern super yachts ,
both power and sail, that were also quite impressive, so even stuck on the boat for a
couple of days it was nice surroundings. I also downloaded a book, it was good as it
got me off the internet, I enjoyed it and will try and read more.
We would have liked to stay for race week, but Hurricane season is approaching, and
we should be making our way South.
We will check in here and spend the day, then move down the coast tomorrow.
All's good, except I dropped my anchor roller retaining pin in the drink, ( Bugger) but
I can make do.

20240406 Antigua Lat 17 Deg 00.09'W Lon 061 Deg 46.44W

We arrived in Falmouth Harbour at about 16:00 today, it was a nice sail quite light but
enough wind to sail all of the way.
We got a bit confused in the harbour, nearly ran aground, but managed to anchor
safely, it would only have been a bump, but would have been embarrassing.
The harbour looks pretty nice, some big super yachts are here.
I will check in in the morning and we can have a look around. We will probably stay a
week give or take, we will jump on the next weather window south.
Antigua race week is on soon, but I don't think we should stay we need to start
moving south. (As much as I would love too)
Otherwise all's going OK, last nights anchor spot worked out all right.
We are anchored in 6.2 meters here, it pulled up ok, but there was a bit of grumbling, I
think its, mud and rocks

0249406 Deshaies Lat 16 Deg 18.451'N Lon 061 Deg 47.964'W

We had a good sail up here yesterday, quite brisk in the channel, then a hour or so
motoring, followed by a nice little sea breeze, the sea breeze had quite a bit of
Northerly in it, so we had to tack out to sea a couple of times. On one of the tacks out
to sea we crossed the bows of a beautiful super yacht, it didn't have its sails up, but
was pretty impressive, she must have been 200' long, gleaming with teak and polished
stainless.
We will leave shortly and sail to Antigua, its about 40 odd miles, its 05:30 am now, I
forgot the blog last night.
We are anchored in about13 meters, its very crowded here, we never went ashore as
we haven't checked in, you can stay overnight in a lot of other countries without
checking in, as long as you fly a yellow flag, and stay on the boat.
All's well with us and the boat, where looking forward to a new stop, as we have been
covering old ground so far.

20240404 Portsmouth Lat15 deg 34.866'N Lon 061 deg 27.830'W

We had a great sail here today, pretty blustery in the Channel between Martinique and
Dominica, then it died for a while, but a little sea breeze popped up, it came and went a
bit, but we managed to sail most of the way
Then it blew like �"BillyO�" as we headed into the anchorage.
One of the guys came out and helped us pick up a mooring, which was pretty
convenient, picking up moorings is a bit of a worry, but anchoring looks a bit hard
here so we chose to take one.
I did snorkel down on it it looked OK from what I could see, but I was running out of
breath by the time I got down there, getting old I guess.
We had a pretty good time in Sainte Pierre, wandered around and did the usual stuff.
We are only here for the night, we want to make our way north while the weather is
good, we will come and stay longer on the way back, Dominique is a beautiful island,
and the people very friendly, its quite spectacular sailing along the coast.
Not much else to say, everything is going well with us and the boat.