The Saints (Isles des Saintes)

Blogger: John

As a Southampton football supporter you just have to visit The Saints. That’s the name by which the team is universally known, so I was really looking forward to arriving there. We motorsailed across from Guadeloupe in a lumpy sea after a pretty rolly, uncomfortable night right on the southern tip of mainland Guadeloupe right by the lighthouse. We spotted Alacazam as we arrived and radioed them. They had already seen us coming in and our arrival caused them to delay their departure by a couple of days. Once you leave the BVIs charter boats are few and far between. Most boats have sailed at least from Florida, many have come down from Canada and there’s a good few ocean crossers too. Most boats in the anchorages here know what they are doing and are equipped with self steering gear, jerry cans (“jugs” to the Americans) and heavy duty ground tackle (big anchors). But here in the Saints and Guadeloupe there are a few more charterers. Many are French and catamarans are very popular.

Here you are Vera. Cath and Gilly with Yarona and Petronella (both Transatlantic crossers this year), in the background

Anyway we spent a happy few days there, chilling out with Dick and Mary (they really are good fun), walking the trails, fishing and eating. It’s all very civilised and chic, particularly along the frontage of the main town in the little island group, Bourg des Saintes. For example you check out, not in the customs office, but in an internet cum laundry, contrasting nicely with the check in facilities located in the boutique/underwear shop in Deshaees. Smart pastel coloured shacks, patisseries, ethnic dresses and tripper boats from the mainland. Tres joli!

Another laid back beach and shore frontage

In this place a very nice pair of shoes and dress were purchased

John checking out of Guadeloupe (The Saints) in the laundry/internet cafe

We climbed the tower on the highest point, we walked to some of the windward, Atlantic beaches and Dick taught me more about fishing at anchor. We also spent an inordinate amount of time looking for agoutis. These are big rodents that scuttle around the ground. According to Mary there are loads of them but only on a few select islands, The Saints included. On the last day I asked Mary exactly how many of these odd animals they had actually seen in the 8 years they have been roaming the Caribbean islands. The answer? TWO! No wonder we had missed them.

Agoutis? Unfortunately not. Dick and Mary

Anyway it was time to move on again and it wasn’t until we had left that I realised things had been so chilled I hadn’t had time to raise my Southampton flag and photograph it in “The Saints”. Poor show John.

Another day, another beer

Sunset over The Saints

Gilly at play

Gilly at work. Repairing the sacrificial strip on the Yankee sail.