A pleasant sail took us to Roseau, the capital of Dominica. After some zig-zack course around Sargassum carpets, I got a playful welcome from a dolphin group just before passing Scotts Head, the southern tip of the island. Hard to catch on the camera this cheerful gift of the ocean.
I had booked a mooring with SeaCat and it all worked out as expected. Upon arrival, I got escorted to the reserved mooring followed by their help to fix the line to the buoy. They offer all kinds of service, which will help me to enjoy “The Nature Island” as that’s what Dominica is called.
My sailing friends from SY Hexe, Cornelia and Volker, have already enjoyed some spectacular activities on the island the last couple of days. After Volker also assisted during our mooring process, the bar for the arrival beer and sundowner became common sense. We took a quick dinghy ride into town to the “Hi Rise Beach Bar”!
In solo sailor days, there are not only Champagne Fridays, there are also Lemon Fridays. Today is one of the latter Fridays.
It is 8:30pm local time and I have just returned back on board while AF895 is taking off from Fort-de-France (FDF) to Paris (CDG).
I am getting some pasta dish done between these lines. The portlight over the pantry oven is open. We have 29℃ in the boat. No wind. Calm see. No swell. Spot lighting from all directions, the land, the sea, the anchorage, the sky. The moon has joined, four more days to another full moon.
Eighty two days ago, Susan arrived on São Vicente/Cabo Verde. She is now on the plane AF895 back to Europe, which makes it a Lemon Friday for me. Yes, everyone was aware of the rules. I remain deeply grateful for the time and adventures we shared together besides being very impressed by the iron discipline Susan puts into the job.
I have now granted myself a subscription for an indefinite retreat to overcome this Lemon Friday soonest. It shall be governed by a benevolently Lady, pleasant weather and some great upcoming nature adventures on Dominica.
I have checked out from Martinique and the Lady is ready to explore new shores, where different rules will apply.
I was hunting for this photo since arrival in Saint-Pierre and finally got the moment showing Mount Pelėe without any clouds.
The devastating eruption in 1902 is considered as the most deadliest outbreak of a volcano globally during the 20th century, killing approximately 30’000 people and leaving 18 merchant ships as wrecks in the bay!
Looks peaceful but officialy is still considered active.
I was strolling around in Saint-Pierre town this morning and ended up walking along the beach. The moderate trade winds are still providing very pleasant anchorage without swell. Cornelia and Volker did set sail this morning heading north. We will follow them later the week.😀
Over a coffee I witnessed another fishing technic applied by the local fishermen. Good catch!
Yesterday was one of the frequent evenings we have spent together with Cornelia and Volker from SY Hexe, either on their super spacious comfortable catamaran or on our tiny cosy monohull. Both boats create a homely maritime environment.
It reminds me at DJ Avicii’s song “The Nights” and if you don’t know the lyrics you might check them now! An ultimate ode to living life.
With the current weakness of the trade winds the Sargassum seaweed made its way around the island’s hook. A broad stripe supported by the light westerly thermal winds in the afternoon hours moved towards the shore – straight through the anchoring boats. After 15 minutes it hit the sandy beach, which needs some cleaning now…
Not a natural wonder but at least an interesting natural spectacle.
I was trying to catch the crater rim of Mount Pelée since we arrived but clouds always covered the last bit of the mountain top. The sunny weather today with light winds partly coming from West (!) cleared the last bit occasionally giving this anchorage some extra charm. Fair winds…