Classic Yacht

I n Bequia I am anchored next to a 1928 schooner designed by the Scotsman Fife. A real beauty and in bristol condition. The owners have been traveling /cruising aboard for 12 years now. The boat is ASTOR and home ported out of Hawaii.

Chateau Belair, St Vincent

Thought a couple of pictures would be nice!

Finally in Bequia

Dropped the anchor in Bequia yesterday early afternoon. The last couple of days sail have been the stuff you dream about. 15 knots of wind in the lee of beautiful volcanic islands with flat seas. I was easily able to sail LCB to weather at 8 + knots for 8-10 hours each day.

Spent my last night night about 20 miles North of here in a town called Chateau Belair. Did not show up in cruising guide as an anchorage but there appeared to be 20-30 feet of water  according to my chart plotter. It was getting dark and I really did not care to try and anchor in Bequia in the dark as the moon set 2 hours before my  predicted arrival.As I approached the anchorage a young man was floating on a series of logs lashed together. He pointed to a spot where it was 7 meters and sand. Good Lad! Anchor down and it grabbed immediately.

Derek came alongside and  we chatted and it became apparent he hade a Zodiac that needed glue and patching material. I gave him glue and some PVC material to fix his dinghy. Apparently a cruiser had come through a month ago and it was sliced on the rocks. They gave it to Derek as they were picking up a new one in Bequia. Derek just needed patches and glue to get going, all worked out well. Chateau Belair is a very picturesque village perched on the sea and surrounded by volcanoes and cinder cones. The North end of St. Vincent is dominated by a huge volcano and its cinder cones.  Between the sound end of St. Lucia and the North end of St Vincent I cannot remember in my travels where I have seen such geologic beauty. As you depart St Lucia the Pitons rise out of the Sea and as you approach St Vincent Mt. Soufriere rises 3000 feet above the ocean.

St. Pierre, Martinique

Some more images of the town.

St. Pierre, Martinique

As I slowly work my way down island due to very aggressive weather this year, I have stayed insome very intersting anchorages. St Pierre is a classic. It was until 1903 called the Paris of the Caribe. It was the capitol and had art gallerys and theaters and a vibrant French social scene. Overlooking this extremely beautiful is the volcano, Pelee. In 1903 it starting out with minor eruptions and the 30,000 residents of St Pierre were concerned if evacuation was appropriate.

 It seems the governor was up for reelection so he hired a geologist who specialized in volcanoes to determine if there was any danger of a cataclysmic event.The governor was worried if the city evacuated he would not be reelected. Needless to say, Pelee erupted and wiped out 30,000 people with a pyroclastic flow. There was one survivor. A prisoner in the local jail!

The town was rebuilt upon the ruins of the old town. Many buildings in the downtown area are cobbled together with new and old. A very interesting stop if you ever come this way

Baie de Columbie

Just around the corner from St Barts. Calm quiet and secluded.

St Barts

Dropped anchor in Gustavia on the island of St Barts. Very upscale spot on the chain. It was the low season as most yachts have departed for the season. The town was set up for the yachting crowd. .Never seen so many beautiful young people in one spot. How did they get here and how can they afford to stay? I was told trust funds. Looks like a good time to this sailor. The anchorage was good for the cat but my friends in monos were whingin about the roll so we moved north to Columbie Bay. It was a marine park so a mooring ball was required. At 4 euros it was tres reasonable. It is a great anchorage and well protected and quite scenic. The miltary controls most of this part so once you climb to the top of the hill you can travel no farther. Plans are to spend the night and leave early for Guadeloupe.