17th May, Shopping in the quaint village of Clifton. It is quiet and provincial. but, so colourful! Also very friendly. The weather being more like I would have expected a tropical summers day we decide to go snorkelling on the reef which encloses the bay. ( See images in picasa) The water is soo clear! It looks as though there may have been some catastrophe the sea floor looks damaged with signs of regrowth and still plenty of colourful fish. The fauna included—the biggest Diadem sea urchin I have ever seen a small lobster and a sea fan (I think).
18th May, Went ashore early to catch the coolest weather of the day. Walked to Ashton where I found a shady spot to wait while Malcolm walked across to Chatham Bay and the surrounding area. Back aboard ’Piano’ by 12 noon for late coffee and then lunch. Most people have left the anchorage so we signed out of the Grenadines and motored round to Chatham Bay to anchor in a peaceful spot. Went ashore for a beer where we met Jeffrey Osborne –King who has started a beach resort with a pool, restaurant, and bar. He has moorings and offers a free meal to any captain bringing his guests ashore. He also offers water from his desalination plant even if you only have a beer! Look out for him in Doyles’ next Cruising book, I’m sure he will be in it.
19th May, Short sail to Carriacou, where we anchored near ‘Felice’ (Andy & Pam) quick trip into town for some basics then a swim.
20th May, the anchor would not hold even after 4 attempts so we moved to a more sandy spot, however this took all day so only managed to bake a cake and do some washing!
21st May, Finally managed to get ashore and took a bus to Gun Point from where we hiked towards Windward, detouring down to Watering Bay via a conch lined path. Naturally when we get to the water we are on our own at a blissful beach! Back to the road and onto Windward-this is where the locals build boats on the shore by eye! They can win races against modern yachts too.
Carriacou is the least most tourist disrupted Island we have been to so far. Yes there are supermarkets and fruit & veg vendors but all very low key.
There being no need to sit in the wind we decide to sit at a buoy off Sandy Island. This is perfect, no ferry wash and a gorgeous sandy beach to look out onto. Terns, Black-headed gulls, Frigate birds and a couple of Pelicans wheel about overhead. The snorkelling is by far the best so far and a welcome break from the baking sun.
23rd May, we motor round to Tyrell Bay. Here there is a thriving yacht community some of who live here permanently (no wonder!) There are maybe 40 yachts anchored peacefully here in a huge expanse of water. Plus we have a resident fish happily digging around the anchor chain-sorry I’ve no idea what it is.
24th May , A quiet day snorkelling dare I say it the best yet! -apart from some invisible stingy things in the water -ouch. The veg situation is non-existent apart from cans leftover from the Atlantic Crossing so we need to travel to Grenada tomorrow for some real shops.
