The Grenadines May 2011

  We sail into Britannia Bay, Mustique and settle on a mooring for $200EC for 3, nights then have lunch.  Malcolm goes snorkelling.
Next day we walk the southern end of the Island, via a beach path, skirting a patch of land called Old Plantation, which has up-market picnic spots.  Some even have a built in BBQ for use.  There is no charge, but you are asked to book if you want to use one.  Next we wend our way though the end of the nature reserve.  This is a natural salt pond, with interpretive boards.  There are many birds and lizards too.  Now we hike uphill (but not too steep) towards Deep Bay.  On the way we see Tortoises! Next is Obsidian Bay but not sufficiently shady for lunch so we press on and find a delightful probably Black Sand Bay, which we have to ourselves.  It has too many waves to swim or snorkel so we just chill out and cool off in the surf.  After lunch we continue back to Britannia Bay for a glass of ice cold water or three.   We anchor Crescendo in sand –oops it’s become detached from the boat...  I try diving for it but it’s too deep for me so I suggest a quick dive with scuba gear. A big event to don all the dive gear for my first solo dive! YES I successfully retrieved the lost anchor.  Then we go snorkelling.  Spectacular over a reef with many kinds of fish.
 We invite Marie and Jon Jack across for sundowners and they respond by asking us over the following evening.
Day 2 Britannia Bay.
  Another hike ashore, this time though the Lovell village and up to the communication tower.  Passing the Post office ,school and Police Station We stop at a marvellous library So cool with it’s air conditioning and get a map.  Then onto Endeavour Bay where we stop for a cool drink and watch the tourists being pampered by the waiters.  Now we have a map with all the names of the houses, most with signs to deter tourists from wandering in.  We next find ’L’Ansecoy Bay’ for another swim.  More Tortoises and a short walk brings us back to Britannia Bay and completes our first tour of Mustique.

11th May Mustique to Canouan

This just a short sail of maybe 4 hours. Jean Jacques and Marie-Christine are away before us but end up at the same anchorage.
We go ashore for a few groceries and then with a small lunch hike across the island to it’s eastern side where there is a reef to snorkel. When we get there the beach is not so wonderful and the sea state is not good for snorkelling.  We eat lunch and then Malcolm sets off to do some more hill hiking and I return to Charleston Bay where there is a perfect spot under a tree and crystal clear blue azure water. A gentle breeze and this is my idea of paradise!  The only interruption is a small yellow crab who comes to investigate the stranger in his territory.  We eye each other for a couple of minutes and then he runs for home.
Back aboard for afternoon tea and we see a turtle or two in the water.
  That evening we end up ashore at the Pirate Cove Bar with Jean & Marie for sundowners. Mine is a ‘Canouan Sunset’ - and looks rather like a Tequila Sunset but is made instead with Caribbean White Rum.

13th May Canouan to the Tobago Keys.

Even shorter just 3 hours anchor to anchor. It’s surprising how exhilarating this fast sailing is, Malcolm slept for the rest of the afternoon while I finished my book and updated the blog story ready for uploading.  Once again the water is not so wonderful for snorkelling and there is quite a wind blowing for fun in the water.  I’ll wait and see what tomorrow brings before I take any photos.
14th May Tobago Keys
  Yes I’m glad that I waited! The boat boy delivered croissants at 8.30 First thing we moved ‘Piano’ from her mooring buoy 50 yards to the right nicely at anchor. We took ‘Crescendo’ of to another mooring buoy (no charge) so that we could snorkel. The water was still a bit rough but we persevered and it was well worth it. In some places the coral? Or seaweed colonies grow almost to the surface.  Fish of all colour and description abound along with the old familiars like Parrotfish and Napoleon fish.  Needless to say we had a large appetite for the croissants with coffee.
   Suitably filled we set off again this time for the Nature Reserve.  Imagine the Azure sea, white sand and green pebbles. (probably Malachite).  There is a signboard with do’s and don’ts in English so other Nationalities probably get caught.  A walk around the small Island acquaints us with many Iguanas and birds, not to mention the most idyllic views out to sea.

  On the way back to ‘Piano’ we see more turtles which I think are possibly Green Sea Turtles since they are so big.  Now is when I get the camera out for some new desk top wallpaper….

15th May, Sunday a day of rest for the croissant man and the park keepers who collect money! The morning spent cleaning shoes and the coat locker.  After coffee snorkelling, then lunch bake a chocolate cake but little to fill it with so I use up the honey which is almost all sugar so needs warming up.  More snorkelling, tea, & chilling out.
16th May, Monday the nicest day here yet. We decide to take ‘Piano’ to the deserted Island which we have been looking out onto. Take a walk around it and then sail on to Union Island.