Aboard Dignity (Lagoon 420) Blog

Last night we went to the Sunday Night Beach Barbecue at Big Papas. This is run by the boat boys and the proceeds fund the security service – all round a good thing. For our $20 each we had a meal and a number of rum punches. Quite a few cruisers were there so we had a chance to have a good chat with a few. One couple, who have been out for 10 years, have expressed interest in joining us for the Boiling Lake hike. We’ll see what we can manage.

Today it was off to Roseau for Carnival. Alexis arrive a bit after 8 to take us to the bus. The bus hung around for some time hoping for more passengers but in the end it was just the two of us. By the time we got to Roseau we only managed to catch the end of the morning festivities. Fun all the same and we managed a few pics.

Midday is too hot for dancing around the streets so things quietened down until about 2:30 to 3 when things picked up again. It was a bit smaller than we expected but the atmosphere was great. There were five or six lorries (trucks) rigged up with the loudest speaker systems imaginable. Most had bands aboard each playing the same song over and over. The beat was mesmerizing and had everyone moving in some way. Many people were dressed up including quite a few guys dressed and women.

Once we’d had our fill we returned to Portsmouth where they were having their own Carnival. It was much smaller and as far as we could tell had just the one lorry (truck). Day 2 in Portsmouth is supposed to be the best day here so we’ll be out and about enjoying the atmosphere here tomorrow.

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.

That is the weekend weather synopsis.

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 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.

Enjoy the pics around Roseau.