We left slightly later than intended as we were so enjoying the sunrise in Cumberland Bay. It took some precise logistics for Rowan to go and release our long ropes in Jeldi Jeldi, with me hauling the ropes in and getting the anchor up so we didn’t drift into the shallow waters, plus getting Jeldi Jeldi picked up. Luckily it all worked like clock work and we were on our way to St Lucia.
Leaving Cumberland Bay
Bird nests in the cliffs
Dramatic clouds and pouring rain on land.
We could smell the sulphur coming from Soufriere Volcano (highest peak on left of photo), we think the brownish tints on the land is also from the volcano. The last violent eruption was in 1979, nobody was killed because of the advance notice. Prior to that the eruption in 1902 killed 1680 people hours before Mount Pelee erupted in Martinique killing 29000 people. December 2020 new activity was recorded in Soufriere with a new dome forming on the crater. All walks up have been cancelled this year because of the risk, it sounded like an amazing walk, in this remote part of the island. Rowan just heard there was more activity today. Glad we have left it behind now.
More views of the volcano
Finally after crossing very rough water leaving the corner of St Vincent, we finally spotted St Lucia’s landmarks, the Pitons.
More volcanic landscapes
Looking back at the Pitons
Rodney Bay is the northern end of the island and the only place you can check in during Covid, so it was a slow sail and motor once more in the lee of the island. We finally made it in just after 4pm, by the time we had got the harbour master to show us our berth and tied up it was just after 4:30pm, immigration had closed and we were too late to check in properly. However being the friendly sort they are ,the security let us into the marina area and to our amazement all the restaurants were open, just an 8pm curfew. With the luxury of water on tap, we gave PolePole a much needed hose down, not just the salt spray from the bumpy crossing but also the massive fishy excretion of a brown booby! Can’t believe how much shit comes out of such a small bird, it was all over the window and roof. The boobys love following the boats which send the fish panicking making them targets for the birds.
After restorative showers we went and had a delicious sushi meal at one of the many marina restaurants.
Tied up safely in Rodney Bay marina.
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