Again we considered going around the corner to Grosier but it is still blowing hard, the forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday is much better. We got a reservation for the dock on Wednesday so we really just want to get off this mooring ball and avoid paying for a couple of days. Would be nice to see something new too. Milu hasn’t moved in about 10 days.
So instead we decide to try a bbq on Isle a Cochon – Isle of Pigs. It’s a mangrovy, sandy island a couple hundred yards away. We fixed our dinghy there last week. Unfortunately, other locals have the same idea and they quickly occupy the small beaches and picnic tables. We’re hoping they’ll get tired/bored and move off later in the afternoon. We invite Ben and Astrid too.
About 3:30 pm it looks like one of the groups has moved out so we load up the dinghy and head over. Error on our part. They are on the beach playing cards, turns out they’re from Montreal, spend their winters here. I subtly ask how long they are staying and they say until 5 pm, the mosquitoes are ferocious after that.
Good news, bad news.
So we hang out a bit on shore, it’s too early to start the bbq anyway. Looks like they’re packing up so Christy goes to take a look. On the way back she’s passing by another group of picnickers who invite us to join their little Sunday afternoon gig. They speak very good English and have enough food and drinks for 20 people though there are only about 5 of them. They give us some very good bbq chicken and rice as well as cold drinks. Ben and Astrid have arrived by now so they join in and we have a nice hour or so learning a bit about the Guadeloupe culture. Jan, the “leader” has a lot of knowledge on the area and boats and tells us the best places to get things.
About 4:30 pm, the group on the other beach push off so I head over and start setting up the bbq. Load up the coals and start the flames. I put too much charcoal on but better that than not enough. It gets very hot, works great.
Pretty soon we’re ready to cook and I throw the fairly meagre steaks on. Was thinking about 4 minutes a side but the cue is so hot they only take about 90 seconds max. The cue stays smoking hot for another hour or so. Gotta remember to bring some desserty things to put on the bbq after dinner, cuz a lot of coals go to waste. I heat up a bunch of bread with the boursin-like cheese Astrid brought, pretty good.
We have a nice time and chat by the ocean. No mozzies at all really, though as evening lengthens I can feel the sand flies coming around. We depart at dusk, probably about 7 pm.
