Hello from Antigua,

Larry and Elaine arrived an hour earlier than we expected and found us sitting on the boat having a drink. Not that unusual! I had just changed the oil in the engine and generator and we were finished with Amel so we were ready to go. We stayed in Pointe A Pitre for the first night then anchored out in the bay the second day as the winds was against us (again) so we left for Marie Gallant the next morning. The wind still was against us so we motored over into the waves which our company did not enjoy too much. Once on the island all was OK and the next day did a tour of it via taxi. Very pretty island with three rum distilleries of which we visited one and sampled their products. Here a bottle of rum cost about the same as buying two beers so our new favorite drink is rum mixed in many ways.!!

Larry and Elaine with us on Marie Gallant

We spent a couple of days here before sailing down to the Les Saintes for another two days. We had a great meal out and did some swimming and snorkeling. We then had a good days sail up to Pigeon Island which is one of J Cousteau's favorite dive sites and we did some snorkeling, eating and just relaxing. Then it was up to Deshaies to clear out of the country and sail up to Montserrat. It was a six hour trip and we managed to sail all the way. This island has the bottom half closed to the public as they have an active volcano which is an amazing site when sailing by watching all the venting which covers the top of the crater. It erupted in 1995 and destroyed the main towns on the island. the population went from twelve thousand down to four thousand. This was done as most people left the island and as we understand only nineteen were killed. We did a tour the next day and it was amazing to go into houses that are abandoned with the fixtures and furniture still in the homes. Others were buried up to the roofs in ash. The people that are living there are building a new town but it will be years before it will be finished. One thing about the island is it was populated by the Irish and most all the people have Irish last names and would all say to Marian welcome home!!! It was very sweet.

steaks on Kilkea

We had had a rolly night so after our tour we pulled up anchor and set off for Antigua. Again the wind and current were on our nose so had to power into the wind and waves and arrived in Carlisle Bay for the night after dark. The next morning we sailed into Falmouth Habour where we presently still are. We rented a car for a couple of days and toured the island and dropped Larry and Elaine off to fly home. We sure had a good time with them and Marian loved having help in the galley.

volcanic ash and the remains of a house

We ended up keeping the car for an extra day as other friends on Following Tides (Robert and Darlene) needed a ride up to the airport as they had just learned that their home outside Cranbrook BC had burnt to the ground! Very sad as they have lost all their belongings as well as the house. Darlene flew up and Robert is here and keeping up a good front.

That it for now. We will be heading up to St Martin this week where we hope to be able to buy some new batteries for out house bank.