Well finally made it back on board late Friday night 4th April after a flight from Auckland to LA, then overnight in LA and onto Grenada via Miami the following morning. I think it is harder to get to the Caribbean than southern Europe from New Zealand.
We had the boat hauled at Spice Island Marine to investigate and repair a small rust mark on the iron to lead joint. That involved grinding back the affected area, then applying a coat of epoxy before re antifouling that area. That was completed and by the time we arrived John from Horizon Yachting (who have done a great job of looking after Savarna and organising the maintenance we required after the ARC) had the boat back at Port Louis Marina so it was just a case of jump on and go for us.
Port Louis Marina
So Saturday the 5th we spent provisioning and getting ready for departure as we had a 170 mile sail to Martinique to pick up Volker, Alice and Xavier (2 year old grandson) on Monday afternoon who were flying in from Germany. We pushed off from Port Louis Sunday morning at around 0830 hrs and headed northwards in a 20 knot easterly, reaching, with full main and headsail. We were making good time and ticking off the islands as we went - Carriacou, Union, Mayreau, Tobago Cays, Martinque, Bequia, St Vincent and then finally the Piton's at the SW corner of St Lucia after 130 miles where we arrived just after midnight. As we did not want to arrive at Fort de France on Martinique in the early hours of the morning we dropped sail and thought we will pick up a buoy at the Piton's and grab a few hours sleep. That was somewhat optimistic as finding a buoy was always going to be difficult in darkness however a couple of fishermen appeared out of the darkness and finally located us a buoy nearby. They did ask various questions which with hindsight got Pam quite nervous as to whether we would be attacked, assaulted or robbed. The upshot of this discussion was that by 0330 hrs we were under full sail again and had a good 3 hour sail to Rodney Bay at the NW corner of St Lucia where we dropped anchor shortly after dawn, grabbed a couple of hours sleep and then filled up with diesel in at the marina.
We then had a very swift sail to Fort de France arriving early afternoon and anchored under the old fort. Quite rolly and definitely not an overnight anchorage. Volker, Alice and Xavier arrived a little while later by taxi and after getting them on board then motored across to Anse Mitan about 7 miles away, dropped anchor had a swim, drank some beers and wine and generally caught up with all their news and got them settled in on board.
Xavier takes to the water quickly
The following day we motored back to Fort de France to do the clearance in and look around the capital of Martinique. The clearance was something of a nightmare, rain squalls going through and walking miles to locate the facility. Eventually I discovered at the bottom of a haul out yard, in the workers lunch area, a plastic window that upon moving to one side produced a computer screen that I had to stand at and complete the numerous questions - the process was not helped by the fact all the answers were required in French. To this day Volker is described as "other European" as I could never find the French for Germany.
We were encouraged by the fact that Fort de France had a branch of the famous Paris department store Galleries La Fayette and Pam clearly had some shopping ideas in mind. As can be seen from the photo below it does not quite live up to its Paris counterpart!
Galleries La Fayette - Fort de France style
After these experiences we motored around to Grand Anse d'Arlet where we had stopped off for a night earlier this year. Had two nights there and Xavier enjoyed the beach which is superb and of course the warm water.
Xavier happy at Anse D'Arlet
Semi submersible at Anse D'Arlet
Also found at the restaurant at the shore end of the jetty a "clearance in and out" computer. So my advice is never go to Fort de France for a clearance. The French system is great as it is self entry and free and they permit you to enter in and out at the same time. Martinique is a Department of France and is far easier to enter/exit than the English islands who are still caught up in the old fashioned bureaucratic system with five part carbonised documents to be completed by hand plus separate visits to enter and later to exit plus quite high charges and of course many rubber stamps.
Alice and Xavier at the bow
Cheers
Keith & Pam