Finally then we checked out of French Guyana and said our last goodbyes to everyone there.
We took the morning tide down to Creek Coswin for an overnight stay.
The next day we finished motoring to the sea and set off for Grenada. This was for the most an enjoyable sail being mostly a reach and typically fast. We did have a couple of light showers and plenty of normal Caribbean sailing. Late on Wednesday we came into sight of Grenada which was shrouded in dark clouds. As we closed nearer the coast the wind picked up to 25 knots gusting 35 and I was called on deck to help read the instruments, which were only visible from the companionway steps due to the driving rain. Fortunately the Yankee and staysail were already down and we had 3 reefs in but sailing was still a handful. As we came round the corner of the island past the airport we were given some shelter and motored on to St Georges Bay to anchor for that night. A celebratory nightcap before retiring to an uninterrupted full nights sleep.
The next morning (bright and sunny yeay )but who should we be anchored beside Non other than ’****’ (Dave the fridge and Jan) so Malcolm swam over and begged a lift into the marina to clear customs and immigration. I swapped books, then a light lunch of beef burgers and potato wedges. By the time Dave picked us up it was raining again and continued until late that night.
Once we had confirmation that the new rib was available we moved into Port Louis. Great to find all you need at the supermarket! Only a short Maxi away. The dinghy arrived with the engine but none of the extras (engine lock, security lock, lifting strop, go faster fin, etc) so another wait ensued. However, we were mobile again. We Sailed around to Whispher Cove and talked to Arlene and S/Y C– Drifters, Our Irene and Ray and had Fish & Chips at Taffies (scrumptious as usual!) We then dinghyed in to Palm Tree Maine to arrange with Mike for Simon to visit the generator. After making contact with Mike we moved to the new Clarkes Court Marina for Simon to fiddle with the generator and he decided that a large capacitor had failed, he took the details but after 2 weeks it had not arrived with Mike - who had forgotten to order it ( come back Arlene all is forgiven). So we sailed on up to St Lucia to prepare for our winter break.
On the way up we stopped at Bequia and did some snorkelling. Malcolm also replaced the anode on the prop as it had almost disappeared in the Maroni river. Another daysail brought us to Rodney Bay where we anchored to watch a few of the ARC yachts arrive. Nice to see so many Ocean sailors kitted out in foul weather gear and life jackets. Once ashore in shorts and T shirts they looked like the rest of us!
Derek and Bridget are in fine shape and came out for an afternoon sail with us.
We took a picnic down to Marigot Bay and had a really fun day.
I also managed a lunch with Marsha and the crowd which meets on a Wednesday. We all wished Marsha a Very Happy Birthday.
There was a fair amount of rain in St Lucia so the top decks were washed of the salt water so just a quick polish then settled the dinghy on deck. Customs wanted a list of electronics in triplicate and then came out to check them. Then it was off to the airport and the flight home.
As I sit here listening to the (cold) rain on the roof and the heating keeping us warm I am reminded that there are only a few days left before Christmas. So it only remains for me to wish you all A Very Merry Time, may all you dreams come true, and wherever you are we will raise a toast to absent friends.
As to the landlubbers, much as we love your news from home we would far better like to welcome you in the Caribbean so why not make time in 2016 for a visit?
All Our best for the New Year.
XX
We took the morning tide down to Creek Coswin for an overnight stay.
The next day we finished motoring to the sea and set off for Grenada. This was for the most an enjoyable sail being mostly a reach and typically fast. We did have a couple of light showers and plenty of normal Caribbean sailing. Late on Wednesday we came into sight of Grenada which was shrouded in dark clouds. As we closed nearer the coast the wind picked up to 25 knots gusting 35 and I was called on deck to help read the instruments, which were only visible from the companionway steps due to the driving rain. Fortunately the Yankee and staysail were already down and we had 3 reefs in but sailing was still a handful. As we came round the corner of the island past the airport we were given some shelter and motored on to St Georges Bay to anchor for that night. A celebratory nightcap before retiring to an uninterrupted full nights sleep.
The next morning (bright and sunny yeay )but who should we be anchored beside Non other than ’****’ (Dave the fridge and Jan) so Malcolm swam over and begged a lift into the marina to clear customs and immigration. I swapped books, then a light lunch of beef burgers and potato wedges. By the time Dave picked us up it was raining again and continued until late that night.
Once we had confirmation that the new rib was available we moved into Port Louis. Great to find all you need at the supermarket! Only a short Maxi away. The dinghy arrived with the engine but none of the extras (engine lock, security lock, lifting strop, go faster fin, etc) so another wait ensued. However, we were mobile again. We Sailed around to Whispher Cove and talked to Arlene and S/Y C– Drifters, Our Irene and Ray and had Fish & Chips at Taffies (scrumptious as usual!) We then dinghyed in to Palm Tree Maine to arrange with Mike for Simon to visit the generator. After making contact with Mike we moved to the new Clarkes Court Marina for Simon to fiddle with the generator and he decided that a large capacitor had failed, he took the details but after 2 weeks it had not arrived with Mike - who had forgotten to order it ( come back Arlene all is forgiven). So we sailed on up to St Lucia to prepare for our winter break.
On the way up we stopped at Bequia and did some snorkelling. Malcolm also replaced the anode on the prop as it had almost disappeared in the Maroni river. Another daysail brought us to Rodney Bay where we anchored to watch a few of the ARC yachts arrive. Nice to see so many Ocean sailors kitted out in foul weather gear and life jackets. Once ashore in shorts and T shirts they looked like the rest of us!
Derek and Bridget are in fine shape and came out for an afternoon sail with us.
We took a picnic down to Marigot Bay and had a really fun day.
I also managed a lunch with Marsha and the crowd which meets on a Wednesday. We all wished Marsha a Very Happy Birthday.
There was a fair amount of rain in St Lucia so the top decks were washed of the salt water so just a quick polish then settled the dinghy on deck. Customs wanted a list of electronics in triplicate and then came out to check them. Then it was off to the airport and the flight home.
As I sit here listening to the (cold) rain on the roof and the heating keeping us warm I am reminded that there are only a few days left before Christmas. So it only remains for me to wish you all A Very Merry Time, may all you dreams come true, and wherever you are we will raise a toast to absent friends.
As to the landlubbers, much as we love your news from home we would far better like to welcome you in the Caribbean so why not make time in 2016 for a visit?
All Our best for the New Year.
XX
