Thursday Nov 24^th From Terre de Haut, Iles Les Saintes    15 52.0N  61 35.4W

Today’s blog by Bob

With the rest of the crew departed for home or holiday it remained for David and I to get on our way to Antigua. The time of our departure had been cause for some discussion.  The journey we calculated to be 40 hours so 2 nights at sea, departing late afternoon to arrive around late morning with some room for manoeuver if wind and weather turned adverse.  So at 3.30 we stowed the anchor and set on our way in a brisk 14kt breeze.  The run up the west side of Barbados was exhilarating, a good breeze and flat water and Serendipity did what she does best.  We dutifully waved at Richard who had texted to say that he could see us,  looking out from his hotel (in Cobblers Cove near Speightstown), and we were “looking good”.  We waved at Keith’s plane as it made its approach to Barbados.  Missing you already……..

As we cleared the north of Barbados we met the incoming swell and the true wind and things began to get livelier.  With 2 reefs in the main and one in the Genoa we were still flying along and as night fell the challenge became to sail Serendipity at a speed that did not scare the pants off me.  It was a totally black night, no moon and a lot of cloud.  Of course we have our radar and AIS but  the analogy with running across a field with your eyes closed is strong.  You know that there must be a cowpat somewhere….

Unlike the Atlantic nights, this night was busy, keeping the sails trimmed, watching for traffic, lit or unlit (there wasn’t any) and above all watching the radar for squalls.  David seemed to be most successful at this as he was dumped on twice I believe. With the boat jumping from swell to swell there wasn’t a lot of sleep to be had and morning was never more welcome. 

Having tried to keep the boat down to  under 8 knots overnight we realised that we had made good time and that it might be possible to put into somewhere and spend night 2 at anchor.  David identified Iles Les Saintes as a good option but the snag was that we would have to average 8 knots to get there before nightfall.  We like a challenge and so with all sails now set we thundered along, on a really excellent beam reach, with our speed touching 10kts at times but dented by a 1kt adverse current. 

Within 30 miles of our target the wind started to die so we pulled out the cruising chute and were off again.  I have to say that this has to go down as one of the best day’s sailing I have ever had, (Richard you should have been there!). Just stunning performance from this lovely boat, a beautiful sea and steady wind. What more could one ask?

Our timing was tight and we dropped the chute at sunset on the east side of Terre de Haut having averaged 8 knots for the entire journey.  By the time we had rounded the north point it was dark and we made a very cautious entrance into Rade des Saintes where somehow they have managed to site a street lamp right next to the sectored light that is meant to guide us in. 

Anchor down and it’s beer o’clock. Job done and a good night’s sleep in prospect followed by a dawn departure before those lovely officials notice that we have come and gone.

Sorry no pictures, too busy sailing!  Next stop Antigua