Leeward Islands

Eventually we managed to drag ourselves away from St Lucia, after a farewell to both our friends Shilling and those mighty Angels.

An overnight passage brought us to Prince Rupert Bay, Dominica. The shore line is littered with the hulks of ships from hurricanes past. Including a new addition delivered by hurricane Lenny in November.

We spent sometime with our spaced out guide Christian exploring the enchanting Indian River by row boat. The river is overhung by swamp Mangroves and huge Bloodwood trees with their massive roots spread out above the soil and down into the water.

Anchored in English Harbour, Antigua, Eleanor joins the crew time for some partying and sightseeing. Nelsons Dockyard provides a functional setting for the yachting industry.

The pillars are all that remain of the Boat House and Sail Loft. Pillars supported a loft , sails were offloaded from boats via a trap door. The building was damaged in an earthquake and wrecked during a hurricane in 1871.

A short passage to Iles des Saintes part of Guadeloupe, this group of islands have steep mountains and white beaches. A restaurant in the form of a ship jutting out of the water front confirmed we had arrived on French islands. Next, Riviere Sens Marina, Guadeloupe for a pit stop, short of time for a rendezvous with Eleanor arriving in Antigua so after some provisioning we sail North.

Spanish Point, Barbuda -what a land fall. This Island surrounded by coral reefs must be the greatest challenge Diva has faced-with Bones standing up on the boom with his cool polarised sunglasses 'eyed' Diva between the reefs-'left a bit Tonto right a bit' oops!

Barbuda is truly a magnificent isolated paradise island. Hotel guests pay $1000 a night to get away from it all, we were the only boat there.

St Barths. - Probably the most exclusive port of call Diva has visited so far. We nestled on the dock side between 120 ft long gin palace, sun cruisers whose tenders were as long as Diva! The quay side was dotted with boutiques such as Cartier, Prada, and Armarni and the whole ambience of the town was similar to that of the south of France ( San Trope or Monte Carlo ). This was the first place where we found larger on tap or "biere presson", very refreshing. The visit was made complete with exquisite French Fish Cuisine.

Afterwards in the local Jazz bar at midnight we didn't understand why everyone was outside looking at the sky -we found that it was virtually a total eclipse of the Moon--awesome man

The East coast is like a moonscape with a texture like concrete sponge and the West is beautiful coral pink sand. Snorkelling on the reef was an experience, Hawksbill Turtles, Dolphins and Reef Fish made a colourful view.

A majestic full moon made it a special evening.

Philipsburg ,Sint Maarten in the South, Dutch half of the Island is a port of call for cruise ships.

The shore line has casino's and a shed load of duty free shops numbering over 500. St Martin has become the Caribbean's number one shopping mall.

Sailing to Simpson's Bay with the sole purpose of visiting Budget Marine ( the B&Q of Yacht Chandlers) to find replacement parts proved to be a successful stop, with a larger shopping bag than expected.

More provisioning and we are now ready to enter the Virgins