Relaxing in Martinique
Finally we were able to hit the trade
wind, thanks to a representative from the Amel Yard, who provided us
with his social security number and so the “overnight delivery”
package was shipped to us more than three weeks later! Incredible...,
but all this delay gave us an opportunity to visit Gran Canaria
island from the touristic seaside to the sinuous roads of the
mountains with some breathtaking scenery along the way. We left the
port January 15, Vanille's every inch of spare space
stocked-up with food, beer and wine. Some 200 miles from Cape Verde
we decided not to stop there, as the wind was blowing, the sun was
shinning, Vanille was flying....and 21 days later, by the
early morning we caught the first sight of Martinique's mountain
range, just as the sun was coming up. Overall, one third of the trip
we had a fine weather with occasional squalls, one third with very
uncomfortable cross sea and one third of the time we suffered through
light weather, changing sails all the time, trying anything and everything to move forward, even had to use the motor at times. Once some 15-20 dolphins entertained us for a good
hour, jumping, racing, playing with Vanille, another time
three whales, a family we thought, stayed with us for about four
hours and once we were lucky enough to catch a supper, although we
have tried on several occasions, but without any success. Now and than we
sighted a bird. Since February 5 we are anchored in the Bay of Ste
Anne, just enjoying the sun and the warm water. Life is not too bad
at the moment.