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| Some assembly required picture |
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| The main filtering membrane and high pressure pump |
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| Nicely tucked under the floor |
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| A little gauge to tell us how much we are producing |
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| Low pressure pump and primary filter |
We are making our own water now on a
regular basis so that we only need to run the system for a few hours every
other day to top up what we have used. We installed at least temporarily a way
to connect our stern shower to the wash-down hose so we can now rinse the salt
off the boat as well as clean the hull. As you know our hull is black and just
like in Montreal winters, a black hull rather accentuates the salt
crystals. The black hull is beautiful
when nicely shined but keeping it spotless is a task indeed. The other major
downside of the black hull in the tropics is the heat. Just like a black car
the hull is often too hot to touch. This
has spawned a sewing project for Maryse to create a shade panel for the section
of the hull where our refrigerator and freezer are located. I believe we can
save some energy if we shade the area while we are at anchor. In the prevailing
winds the port side of the hull is ALWAYS in the sun – quelle coincidence – the
fridge and freezer are also on the same side!
One last stop in Jolly Harbour to top up on
groceries and adult beverages and off we head to Guadeloupe. As is the case in
every island, you can’t leave until you clear out of one country to be able to
clear into the next. In Jolly Harbour the building is comprised of 3 offices –
each one is separate – Customs, Immigration and Port Authority. Each office is
about 12 square feet! You start at Customs, fill in your clear out on the
computer and receive a document. Take that document and two doors down to Port
Authority who checks papers and provides you with yet another duly signed form
which you take to Immigration – check of the passports to match the paperwork –
stamp stamp stamp. Now back to Customs who does one final validation of
everything and with a smile wishes us a safe voyage!
Dinghy and outboard stored and off we head
early morning for the 56 mile sail from Jolly Harbour to Deshaies on the north
west corner of Guadeloupe. Winds were expected to be 080 – 100 degrees (east)
at about 15 to 20 knots which would have made for a great ride. The wind gods
had a different plan and only gave us 6 to 12 knots to play with. None the
less, full genoa, staysail and mainsail pulled us along at a nice and leisurely
pace of between 5 and 7 knots of boat speed. Life is very good!
After arrival in Deshaies, now time to
clear in to Guadeloupe. The Customs office in most of the French islands is a
tad less official than the old English islands – here you find the customs
computer in the back of a T shirt shop. After waiting out turn behind two
charter catamarans – Germans with limited English and French skills try to
complete the forms which entails providing all of the 10 crew members passport
details …. Oh boy! Once we get done and pay our entrance fee of 4 euro, we are
in! No passport check, no check of prior country documents ….. This is NOT
Homeland Security!
Maryse wastes no time fining some great
pate, baguettes and a chilled Rose de Provence!
A super dinner menu indeed.
We chilled on board for a few days and then
plan to head further south to Les Saintes – one of our favourite places.
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