SHIP'S LOG - AMADEUS

Saturday, August 31. Valerie and Paul went on board Gout au Rhum at 9 am, stowed gear and took inventory. Rob and Karmel arrived in early evening and spent the first night on board.

Sunday, September 1. Transfered gear to Amadeus when mechanics were unable to repair generator on Rhum. Amadeus is a 43 foot ketch with four staterooms . . one per crew member. Underway early afternoon for Iles des Saintes. Hard beat into 6-8 foot seas and 15-20 knot winds. Motor sailed to insure arrival before sunset. Dropped anchor at Pain de Sucre just as sun set.

Monday, September 2. Motored to Ilet a Cabrit and climbed to ruins of Fort Josephine on top of the island for a spectacular view of the islands. Sailed around Terre d'en Bas and into Bourg des Saintes harbor and walked around town. Sailed back to Baie de Pontpierre for evening's anchorage. Had this beautiful lagoon all to ourselves.

Tuesday, September 3. Remained at anchor in Pontpierre. Swam, snorkled and climbed to top of surrounding hills.

Underwater recon of reefs surrounding entrance to bay showed channel to be much narrower than thought. We were lucky to get in!

Wednesday, September 4. Left Saintes for Guadeloupe. Ran afoul of drift net. Rob went under boat to cut it loose. Sailed in wild romp to Bas Terre with trailing, 8 foot seas and winds up to 27 knots. Put into Bas Terre harbor to take on water. Sailed up lee coast of Guadeloupe to Pidgeon Island. Went ashore for dinner to celebrate Rob and Karm's third anniversary.

Thursday, September 5. Rob, Karm and Paul dove at Pidgeon Island recognized by Jacques Cousteau as one of the ten top dive sites in the world. Great dive. 60-70 foot depth with fantastic fish and coral in great colors. Sailed to Deshaies for overnight anchorage.

Friday, September 6. Sailed north to attempt return to Point a Pitre through the Riviere Salee. Encountered extensive reefs at north end of island making passage too dangerous. Returned to Deshaies and anchored overnight.

Saturday, Septebmer 7. Rob and Karm left the ship for taxi ride to airport and return flight home. Moorings crew arrived to sail boat back to Point a Pitre. Val and I took taxi back to hotel.