Feb. 22, 2009 - The French are revolting

Literally – We’ve not found anyone who really understands why but for some reason, two weeks ago Guadeloupe went on strike over their ‘standard of living’ and then Martinique followed suit.  I can’t get my mind around who they are striking against, unless it’s the French Government who is not giving them enough subsidies (ie the UK as it will be EU money!!).   It’s got quite silly now and we heard of some shootings and house burnings in Guadeloupe – just as we arrived.  We have just stayed a couple of days in the Saintes which are a group of Islands south of the main Island which are apparently too laid back to care.  Unfortunately it meant no money in the cash points, no food in he supermarkets and no customs officers on duty.

Anyway we were hiding there to keep out of the forecast North swells which if they appeared were actually pretty small.  Woke up this morning in the little anchorage we had been in for several days and decided b***er it lets go somewhere else – so we did.  I am currently writing this from Deshaise in the North of Guadeloupe and its our intention to get up early and bounce our way to Antigua tomorrow – the forecast being for 25 Knots or so. Once there we will actually be able to do some shopping, and as we are down to our last two cans of beer this is a serious situation!!!

The photo shows where the dinghy dock used to be – right underneath the smashed up boat that is parked on top! This is yet another result of last year’s hurricane Omar when massive westerly swells did a lot of damage to the Islands – mind you it was last October, you would really think that someone might get a chain saw and cart it away – ‘hey man its de Caribbean’ would be the answer if you bothered to ask.