Final Days 

The sun is setting on our epic journey. Today, Saturday, 1^st April will be our second last day together at sea. We plan on arriving in Antigua on Sunday 2^nd April, back to where the rally dawned in January of 2022. It is hard to believe that we have been living on Irene IV for such a long time. It is only when we wander down memory lane, reminiscing, recounting, and regaling, our many exploits and experiences. Each of us has a new journey ahead. George will go home to Ireland and back to school and friends his own age. Giles will spend a little time at home in England before he starts his new job on another Oyster yacht, the 74 foot, Mexican Wave, joining the next Oyster World Rally in January 2024.  I will head home to California and restart my land life with my husband and family. Louis and Rob will each spend a week or so at home and then return to Irene IV in Antigua embarking on their next voyage on 9^th May, bound for Bermuda, New York, Martha’s Vineyard, Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland and finally back to Ireland. We have tasted adventure together. Now it is time for each of us, new and refreshed, to embark on and savor fully life’s next adventure.

On Monday, 27^th March having enjoyed one of our most fabulous meals of the rally at L’Escale, a truly French restaurant a short distance away from the town in Grand Anse D’Arlet, Martinique We relished every bite. Next day we had a glorious hike from this bay to the other, Anse D’Arlet, zigzagging up along a steep, rocky path through scrubby woods on the strangely named lane, Morne Champagne. We swam, we snorkeled, and we dived. Having done the two bays justice, we set off on a 70nm sail to Prince Rupert Bay in Dominica. Dominica, like its neighbours, Martinique, and Guadeloupe, speaks French but, unlike its neighbours, is not a French territory. We did not go ashore, simply anchored, swam, ate aboard while watching the classic movie, Master and Commander. 

The sail from Martinique (Windward Islands) to Dominica (Leeward Islands) was invigorating, with winds averaging 18 knots from the east, we sped along at 8 – 10 knots. George was auditioning for “main man” (that is manning the main sheet) when Irene IV joins the Oyster Regatta in Antigua starting on the 6^th April. The regatta will be our final hurrah as a team aboard Irene IV. Callum and Kirsty, from Intrepid, will join us to boost numbers and help create a “dream team”, as well as friends from Ireland, Angus Miller, and Mike Kearney, both experienced sailors. With George on the main, and me on the helm, we practiced racing as we “picked off the Golden Monkeys”, that is, we gradually passed all yachts in our way! We were exhilarated. 

The next day brought us the short distance to the charming Les Saintes islands. We had anchored here on the outward journey but not gone ashore due to the Covid restrictions at the time. We were excited to explore this beautiful “typically French” spot and were not disappointed. We all enjoy and will greatly miss jumping off the boat for a quick swim and showering on the transom – one of life’s simple pleasures. It has been a twice daily occurrence in the warm Caribbean waters. Dinner in another French culinary jewel, Au Bon Vivre, on the main street of Bourg des Saintes, was “oh la la, un experience incroyable”! We spent 3 days here, cycling on E bikes, our first time, hiking up and down hills, shopping, appreciating fresh croissants and baguettes, and generally soaking up the picturesque French village atmosphere. 

On the 31^st March we tore ourselves away and moseyed up the coast of Guadeloupe, passing our friends on Liberty along the way, to anchor here by Pigeon Island, the site of the Cousteau National Park. We delighted in snorkeling the underwater wonderland as well as watching the local fishermen use time honored techniques, obviously enjoying the hunt and the catch, an honest and sustainable livelihood. Needless to say, dinner, including Marlin, both smoked and sautéed, a first for some of us, in Le Rocher De Malendure was magnifique!

Today, we move to our final anchorage in Deshaies, on the northern end of the west coast of Guadeloupe. Deshaies, a scenic fishing village, was the setting for many parts of the popular television series, Death in Paradise. We shall anchor in its sheltered bay and enjoy all its delights before our closing run tomorrow to the Catamaran marina in Antigua.