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Firefly - Three days in Martinique



After our eventful New Year in Portsmouth we headed down the west coast of Dominica to the capital, Rosseau. We were all thrilled to be joined on the trip by a pod of at least 10 dolphins surfing Firefly's bow wave. We had an action packed 24 hours in Rosseau including a walk up through the botanical gardens to yet another cannon emplacement on a great vantage point and a guided tour into the rainforests in the heart of the island. Our local Domincan guide, Craig, took us up to the Trafalgar Falls where we luxuriated in a geothermally heated sulphur pool. We then went to the Titou gorge for a decidedly chilly swim through a narrow gap in the rocks to the waterfall, it was absolutely stunning! Craig was also able to give us a detailed account of the current social and political situation in the country.

Since then, we have made the 25 NM crossing to Martinique - another island of dramatic peaks and slopes covered in lush vegetation - characterised by sudden and frequent downpours accompanied by vivid double rainbows. Our first port of call was Saint Pierre in the northwest of the island where we arrived just after dark and once again dusted off our best 'Franglais' to enjoy dinner on shore. The town, formerly the Paris of the West Indies, was destroyed in 1902 by a volcano killing all but two of of the 30,000 inhabitants - we were enlightened by a good pilot guide and the local Volcano Museum.

Leaving Saint Pierre after lunch, we enjoyed (not Jane's description) a surprisingly brisk sail down the coast - aided by catabatic winds and wind accelerating over the mountains - past the capital of Fort de France to the relative shelter of Anse Noire. After a quiet night at anchor (again not Jane's choice of words) in a secluded cove we continued down the coast to Petit Anse; we hoped to go further East but the strong Easterly winds scuppered this plan. We are enjoying our last night at anchor for a week as we will arrive in Rodney Bay Marina tomorrow, the departure point for the World ARC. Paul assembled the new boat BBQ and we have enjoyed a delicious supper followed by puddings purchased during Peter and Jane's foray ashore.

We head for Saint Lucia tomorrow morning , Jane and Peter will be on land for a while as we get Firefly prepared for the next stage of her adventure.

Love from

Paul, Susie, Jane, Peter and Grateful (improving his French)



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