Leaving Dominica the morning of February 26, we had a brisk sail the 22 miles up to the small French islands called "The Saintes", where we managed to pick up the last town mooring buoy. We went ashore and cleared into customs at the computer stand in the local coffee shop and then immediately went to a local market to pick up great French bread etc.
The winds were strong overnight and our buoy was the most uncomfortable we had experienced in quite a while, so we were glad to be sailing again and headed up the 35 miles to the west side of the French island of Guadeloupe. However, there was a strong acceleration of wind around the end of the island with several gusts over 40 knots. We were happy to anchor off the mainland near the Costeau Marine Reserve at Pigeon Island. Despite the high winds, we were sheltered by the mountains here. Dave snorkeled at Pigeon Island and saw unusual coral and multitudes of tropical fish.