183. St. Lucia

I had another very fast smooth sail to St. Lucia, although I nearly missed Pigeon Island. I sailed right into Rodney Bay, then motored into the lagoon, called the marina and picked up a mooring ball. I saw Buffish again already in a slip (they left for Bonaire the next day). The marina had my new mainsail – so excited to finally get that. I also fit the alternator I bought in St. Martin, and it seems to be working fine. Hopefully that will be the end of my fan belt problems (although I did buy another spare just in case).

Dr. Doolittle’s, Marigot Bay

The storm on Friday wasn’t really anything much but I was glad not to be out in the bay. On Sunday I gave my new alternator and mainsail a good test going to Marigot Bay. Tropical storm Don is headed this way, due to hit on Tuesday. Other boats rushed to get to Bequia, but Don actually veered to the south so I’m glad I decided to rest for a couple more days here and wait for it to pass and the seas to calm down. Next stop for me is Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent.

Overlooking the lagoon, Marigot Bay

182. Martinique

St Pierre, Mont Pele in the background

After a fast trouble free sail from Dominica, I arrived in St. Pierre, a very pretty town in a very big bay in the north of Martinique. I anchored near a blue boat I keep seeing. Later I met the owners. Two Dutch guys came over to me in a café and asked if I was Sonic Boom. They’re sailing from Bonaire on a beautiful blue Beneteau 46 – Buffish, that I first saw in St. Martin. They’re headed south like me.

Anse d'Arlet

After two nights I sailed on to Anse d’Arlet in the south, a very pretty village with a beautiful white sand beach. I went ashore, bought a baguette and went for a swim. I saw a huge turtle swim past Sonic Boom. I left the next morning; I wanted to be in Rodney Bay before Friday, when it looks like a bit of storm will pass.

My ‘pet’ gecko is still alive and well. I hadn’t seen or heard him for weeks, but he popped up in Dominica, came into the cockpit looking bigger and a darker colour, after about 18 months onboard.