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Last time we went to The Cabrits we didn’t climb West Cabrit due to a clothing malfunction. Specifically, one of Helen’s flip flops broke. As we had one day left on our weekly park ticket we decided to go back to the fort and climb the west hill. It was a bit disappointing as when we got to the top all there was was a single canon. A fine example mind you but just that. On the east hill there was so much more. If this had been the first hill we climbed we probably wouldn’t have bothered with the other.
Tonight we’re definitely going to the beach barbecue. Tickets paid for.
We found a gap in the rain yesterday to get to the market. The water was quite choppy which means we need to lay and anchor off the stern of the dinghy to stop it bashing into the dinghy dock. Just more messing about. The rest of the day was spent being pretty lazy. Reading. Watching the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
Today looks much the same.
Tonight, as there is for every Sunday night, a beach barbecue in aid of funding the security patrols. If the weather clears we’d like to go to this.
One thing I didn’t mention in previous blogs is that there is now a gasoline shortage here in Dominica. Locals are blaming the issues in the surrounding French islands but other reports say this is due to an equipment failure between the tanks where fuel is delivered from ship and the land. Turns out the day we arrived was the last day you could get gas here in Portsmouth. Good job I filled both cans then. The island isn’t totally out. When we bussed it to Roseau there were a number of stations open albeit with very long lines.
Today we took a circular tour of the northern half of the island. We were picked up from the boat by Alexis at 8am and handed over to our guide, Winston. He took us and about 8 other cruisers (amongst whom were Alan & Anne from Freya of Clyde and Geoff & Jo from Sutton Hoo) to a number of sites including the red rocks, the Carib Territory and Spanny Waterfalls (where Helen and I skinny dipped). Along the way we had lunch at a beautiful restaurant with an amazing view out onto the Atlantic. We didn’t return to the boat until after 5pm. Given that we spent much of the time sitting, we all felt exhausted. Curry night tonight. It’s goat. Mmmmmm. Enjoy the pics :
Tomorrow we’ll again visit the Saturday morning market and then veg out the rest of the weekend. No further plans till carnival on Monday.
Today we took the bus down to Roseau. Next Monday/Tuesday is carnival and our big decision is whether or not the sail down there in advance. Because of the strikes in Guadeloupe and Martinique we’re going to stay here another 2 weeks as we like it so much. So heading south now amounts to either spending 2 weeks in Roseau or going there and perhaps coming back. We know we will go there for a few days for provisioning before heading off to Martinique but is the extra time worth it? Answering that was the goal of our trip.
Well. It’s good for provisioning. Very good. But Portsmouth is much nicer and has a bigger sailing community than Roseau so we’re staying put for the time being. Current thinking is that we’ll take the bus down on Monday morning to see the costume festival and experience day 2 here in Portsmouth.
Anyhow. The bus ride is in a minivan and takes about an hour. Both directions we were full – 14 passengers and 1 driver. In Roseau we walked south to the various anchorages and found them not to our liking. On the way we passed a Budget Marine affiliate where I was able to buy some fishing gear for a good price. We’re only setting ourselves up for hand trolling for now but as yet we didn’t even have the basics. Now I’ve got most things and intend to be set up for our trip to Martinique as fishing requires permits here in Dominica. That may be why the gear is relatively cheap as there is little demand.
Apart from the fishing gear our only other purchases were four bottles of wine and two crunchies. We have our priorities you see.
The last 24 hours were largely given over to boat work. Yesterday we moved over to the cruise ship dock (as it were) and filled our diesel tanks. Took a while as you have to wait for the guy who runs the place to turn up from somewhere else. Today we’ve cleared of a bunch of things off our things to do list. I’ve finally replaced 8 corroded non stainless steel nuts which were in a very difficult to reach place. Took both of us to do this. Fuel separator has been drained. Helen did a great job cleaning the deck. A few other bits and pieces along the way. This evening we ate out at Big Papas as we felt we’d earned it.