Portsmouth
The passage to Dominica was a challenging sail, thanks to the huge variances in wind speed and direction. If the incentive to meet up with Charlie & Kate in Portsmouth was not sufficient reason, the sight of 2 huge cruise ships in the capital, Roseau, was certainly enough to deter any landing there.
Its behind you!
Dominica is a former British colony that has not thrived in the same way as some of its neighbours. However the benefit is that the island has not been developed with large hotels and resorts. Portsmouth is a small town with its own character. No big brands here!
The sight of an ‘Indian’ set of cables on a pole made us smile, even more so when we saw the electrical contractor’s board at the side!
The wirings fine, honest!
Just to make folks back in the UK feel better, it does rain here usually in short bursts, but at least it does not last long and is warm…… Another ironic sight was that of local fisherman trying to shelter behind the moored hulk of an old Brixham trawler. Portsmouth was known for many years as the place where a number of coastal trading ships were blown
Warm Rain
Pirates of the Caribbean hut
A Local Cafe
Costa Safety
Passing Iguana
Indian River
ashore in a hurricane, and the government could not afford to remove them. Eventually a scrap contractor from Venezuela removed them, finishing last year.
The local creek, Indian River, runs through the edge of town and is now a nature reserve. Originally named for the original natives’ habit of using it as a highway, it is a fascinating place for a guided boat trip. No motors are allowed, so you hear nature unimpeded. We were not the only ones to like it, but at least we did not leave anything behind unlike Johnny Depp and his mates. The hut in the photo may look authentic native, but is actually part of a set from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 2’.
It is good to see that safety lessons are taken very seriously by cruise lines. Clearly wary of the risk of their boats coming too close to shore and striking a tree root, the Costa (Concordia) Line had its passengers wear full lifejackets on the trip up the creek. Perhaps of limited benefit where the water may only be knee deep…….
Another reason we found it very quiet was the after-effects of the boatboys’ barbecue the night before, with unlimited amounts of rum punch….. nuff said J
Freebooter 