It’s 6:30 on Sunday morning and we are anchored off of the capital of French St Martin, Grande Case. The couple we buddy-boated with for the crossing yesterday, Free Rein suggested that we stop here as it was less congested than the harbor off of Simpson Bay Lagoon, Marigot, on the French side of the island. We were both concerned about approaching the anchorage in the dark and trying to find a spot to anchor among all the boats.
It was a very long day yesterday motoring into the wind for the ENTIRE day and then some. We left North Sound Virgin Gorda at 05:30 and didn’t drop the hook here until 19:30, a very long day indeed. Actually, we motored 14 hours, not to put too fine a point on it. I guess that was to be expected as we covered over 90 miles. Did I mention that we had to motor into the wind and waves the whole way? Into the easterly trades? Into the waves? Brenda loved it. Yahoo, bring it on! NOT!!! “Sounds a lot like a CLM, career limiting move, to us Bob.)
Actually, a few times the “bring it on” had to do with my fetching a bucket for her. Happily, if that’s the right word to describe her not actually puking, she never actually used the bucket. I felt sorry for her. If you have ever been seasick, you know the feeling. At first you think you are going to die and later you are afraid you won’t. Not the best way to get the most of a day out on the water.
All I can say is that St Martin had better be good, really good, for my sake. Can you say want to eat some French cheeses, wines and baguettes? Yum.
We had to motor into the wind and waves the entire way because the wind nearly always blows from the east and that’s where you have to go to make your way from the BVI to St Martin. After that, the island chain curves to the south so you can generally sail both ways after St Martin. Not so from the BVI. Well, at least the worst is over for us. And, the remaining islands between here in Grenada are much closer, usually only about 20 to 40 miles apart.
Well, we made it, we’re here and it’s beautiful. Here’s the view that greeted me as I peeked topside first thing today.
We arrived last Monday in the BVI and have been pretty busy getting settled and meeting fellow cruisers through the Salty Dawg Sailing Association. They had a party at Foxy’s, the famous watering hole on Jose Van Dyke, BVI. About 50 of us enjoyed an evening together there on Thursday night. As part of the festivities, a bottle or rum, actually shots of that rum, were auctioned off to benefit the local school on the island. This is the famous Foxy himself telling a story about the charity. He’s quite a character mon.
After our visit with some fellow Dawgs, we took Pandora up to North Sound, the most eastern point of the BVI to position ourselves for the run to St Martin. We stopped ashore for a drink at the Bitter End Yacht Club. 
As we were making our way toward North Sound we were passed by Necker Bell, the 100’ catamaran owned by Richard Branson. You know, the “Virgin” guy. He owns Necker Island.
Well, bright and early on Saturday we headed east. Really bumpy. It’s that whold into the wind thing. 
Before I break, remember the 31 years ago we were last here in Tortola? Actually, I wrote that we were here 32 years ago. Well, as usual, Brenda’s math skills are better than mine as it was 31 years ago.
When we last visited Tortola we stayed at the Sugar Mill Hotel for a week so on this visit we just HAD to have dinner there again. It was terrific and is as expensive now as we remembered it being 31 years ago.
When we were there in the “olden days” this pool wasn’t and the rooms weren’t air conditioned. Now it is and they are. We heard the surf in the distance each night. It was beautiful.
We arrived early and enjoyed a drink on one of the lovely covered decks overlooking the ocean. 
Lovely dining room in the ruins of a sugar mill. Brenda’s at the far back right table.
So, we are here in St Martin and it’s time to make some new memories. Yes, let’s make some quickly so yesterday’s rough crossing fades from Brenda’s memories. It was a calm crossing…It was a calm crossing…
Ok, it was actually a real slog getting here and I am afraid that it’s going to take a lot of new and really excellent memories…
Perhaps if I bring on the baguettes, French wines, cheeses, pastries…. Yes, that will be a step in the right direction.
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