Well, it took three weeks but we finally left Antigua and headed to Guadeloupe, arriving yesterday afternoon in lovely Deshaies.
It indeed felt like old times as I headed ashore and cleared in at the T shirt shop. Nobody asked about vaccination or for the results of a test. It is always remarkable how much more laid back things are in the French islands verses Antigua. To clear in for 3 Euros is so different than in Antigua, where you go from window two to window three and back to two and finally window one and all that is after filling out the paperwork on a desktop computer.
I can’t recall the exact amount that it cost to get into Antigua back in November but it was something like $85 US and when I cleared out on Friday the cost, taking into account the time we had left the boat in English Harbor, on a mooring, the cost was nearly $250 US, a bit different than our experience in Guadeloupe.
When we pulled in yesterday, after a boisterous 45 mile passage at an average speed just shy of 9kts, the anchorage was pretty full. As a result, we had to anchor in 45′ of water and on the side of the harbor that is more exposed to wrap-around swell, not Brenda’s first choice.
This morning we moved to the other side of the harbor and ended up re-anchoring a number of times as other boats left so we were able to get a more sheltered spot. It’s quite calm now with the protection of a huge cliff off to starboard. It’s a spectacular view from the cockpit. 
Last night we had a terrific rainstorm that mercifully washed off all of the salt that had accumulated on deck as we slogged our way here. With waves washing over the bow for the entire run and cascading down the decks, things were pretty salty.
For some reason, just off of the point this morning, probably from the moisture rolling off of the mountain, was a piece of a rainbow that hung around for nearly two hours. It was a beautiful sight against the mountain and white clouds in the morning light. 
As the sun came up, I could see the mist rising up as the sun dried the dense vegetation onshore. This island has very high mountains, often shrouded in clouds, so there is abundant rain and many steams and rivers. 
Nearby, accessible by dink, is a lovely fresh water swimming hole. Brenda and I hope to visit it in the next few days.
The town of Deshaies is very French, quaint and has a distinct Mediterranean vibe. The first thing I did after clearing in yesterday was to head to my favorite wine and cheese store. We have not been here since 2019, just before the pandemic struck. The proprietor immediately recognized my shirt “Pandora”. Brenda and I had a lovely rose, two choices of cheese and a baguette for dinner.
Today we head ashore for lunch with some friends. Perlez vous Francais? Non…
The view of town from our bow is just so French. Oddly, nobody ashore seems to speak English all that well. Why is that? At home nearly everyone speaks English.
Tomorrow we will be heading to a nearby town to get a data sim card and a new phone as Brenda’s iPhone died. Very inconvenient as we both just have to have our own phone and NEED MORE DATA. I am told that the connection with a data-only card is strong enough to watch Netflix. We, especially Brenda, are starving for more video time with family.
Ok, one more photo of Deshaies. What a lovely spot. 
So, I guess that we will stay here for about a week and pay a visit to the nearby botanical garden, swim in the amazingly clear water. Even anchored in 45 feet last night we were able to see the bottom.
Well, after what seems like years since we have been to the French Islands it’s good to be back.
All I can say is Viva la France! And, of course… That will be two croissants and a baguette please.