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Kasuje - Skippers Log 8th March



Hi from Skipper Steve
It has been a few days since I last reported on our exploits, from Forteleza in Brazil. The sailing has been mixed with some stunning high speed moments interspersed with heavy rain, mixed winds and confused seas. It is all down to the ITCZ or doldrums. An area where the two great Atlantic weather systems meet canceling each other out and providing unpredictable weather patterns. Mostly there is little wind and this mixed with the high temperatures and heavy rain can give very uncomfortable conditions for sailors. However this area appears to be behind us now as we have picked up the Northern Hemisphere NE trade wind system and we have had almost 24 hours of near perfect sailing. We currently have an eta at Tobago of the 11th where unfortunately I have to jump ship, leaving the boys to take Kasuje to St Lucia.

We made a 36 hour pit stop in Cayenne in French Guyana, a town made famous to many of us by Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman in the film Papillon. It was quite an experience not only getting there but visiting the town itself. The approach is made through a 12 mile channel which is constantly being dredged clear of silt by the French authorities. The sea is a rich brown color, with the final 6 miles being up river between dense tropical rain forests on either side. We made our approach in darkness and from the sounds either side of us we could only wonder at the size of the beasties lying in wait as we gingerly made our way up stream. After negotiating the channel the next challenge was to find a berth or anchorage. Anchoring seemed out of the question as the thick silt was almost liquid and would be very poor holding in the strong current. Fortunately, just as we were beginning to despair a small pontoon came in site with just enough room to moor Kasuje alongside. It was a very welcome site and we made good and waited until dawn before exploring further.

As daylight emerged it was apparent that our resting place was somewhat isolated from the main town which was about 15km to the east. It seems we had entered the country by the wrong tributary but were relieved when told that the seaward approach to the town was probably untenable !!! So we kitted ourselves out in true British exploring gear and set off for a very enjoyable day in Cayenne. The town itself probably has not changed since the heavy days when it was the staging post for the French penal system. It was decaying with little work for the locals and surviving on EU subsidies.

We are now on the 4 day passage NW to Tobago where I have to jump ship leaving the boys to take Kasuje on to St Lucia.

See you soon
Kind Regards Skipper Steve, Kevin, Dennis and Colin



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