Grenada

 January 1...HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2014
We fixed the sail yesterday and had the wiring problem fixed with very little problem. Spent New Years at The Lazy Turtle but was a quiet night. Took bus to Paradise Beach and walked back.

Paradise Beach with view to Union Island

view of Sandy Island from Paradise Beach

view of Tyrell Bay from the road

happy hour at The Lazy Turtle - view out to the anchorage

December 30...Arrived Tyrell Bay in Carriacou yesterday afternoon after a 4 1/2 hr sail from Happy Hill. Lucky we did not bother to repair the sail as the winds did pick up and some people did have a rough sail whereas ours was moderate! Yes! hmmmm.... We anchored at the entrance of a very large and wide bay with reefs on both sides but all was well. We did decide to move just before dark as we felt we were dragging a bit. Today we decided to pick up a mooring ball as we decided to stay for a couple of days to fix the sail. Lucky a minor problem. Engine didn't start just before wanting to take a quick warm shower. We did tour the mangrove swamp which is a restricted area and collecting the mangrove oysters is against the law. It was like being in the Everglades but all alone.

Mangrove Swamp

December 29...Left PLM with no problem and stopped by Dragons Bay but the mooring ball was not attainable, We continued to Happy Hill just next bay over and found a mooring ball that is in good shape. Lots of snorkel and dive boats arrived late afternoon, probably from the two cruise ships in Port Elizabeth. I swam into shore and back - lovely! Rained off and on so lots of rainbows. We now have Internet due to Peter's data plan on his phone so are able to pick up signals. It was rolly last night but the positive was - no bites, for the first time since we have been south - the mosquitoes and noseeums are relentless!

leaving Happy Hill - another rainbow! - there must have been ten at least

two large cruise ships at St George

double rainbow at Happy Hill

leaving plm

December 28...We have spent the last couple of days relaxing a bit by the pool and hopefully have concluded our last days 'down under'. We have secured the radar and the backstay is once again on track. We have put a screw in the bottom of the mast to hold the sail - all riggers here are closed until the new year! Plan to leave here for Dragons Bay, near the sculptures, or if failing that on to Tyrell Bay in Carriacou.

Port Louis pool

Christmas Day

December 25...MERRY CHRISTMAS
Lovely to talk to both Thomas and Emily last night via skype and then this morning to Emily, Mark and family in Shanghai. Wanted to spend all day before Christmas dinner at pool but unfortunately raining. A major electrical storm last night - thunder, rain - the likes of which Peter says he has never seen. Glad to be at the marina rather than out to sea!

December 23...Went to a concert at the Botanical Gardens last night showcasing some of Grenada‘s local musical talent. Spent only a couple of hours 'down under' this morning and were able to put all floorboards back. We are back to normal, I hope. Left Prickly Bay and made sure everything was secure and arrived without incident at Port Louis Marina. Second time Peter had to back in. He is very good at it and reminded me of Greece. There was a type of lazy line but we had help in securing it. As soon as we arrived bought some cashew from a local which is a type of fruit, cross between apple and pear for 10EC which is about $4.00. Port Louis Marina is beautiful, very nice facilities, more western than anything I have seen in the Islands. Dinner on board last night - when the box breaks, one must be resourceful!

fine dining

December 22

picture doesn't do it justice

Tiki hut at Prickly Bay

on way to happy hour and Internet!

Spent today replacing many hose clamps and unfortunately Budget was closed today so will have to continue tomorrow. My new fav thing to do is to is to have my head down in the bilges working on the holding tank. But if you want heads to work properly and not smełl, so be it. That Dave from Trini did not complete the job!  Boy, Brian, a Roadtrek looks good now. Does it float on water?
We also the found the power supply to the main bilge pumps was broken. Fortunately that must have happened when we were working on other things today, otherwise we may have sunk on the passage -I have learned you call pan pan when not serious and mayday when it is.
So now the story of the passage.  What went wrong has prety well been fixed.  Started with a shower pump not working at midnight and head overflowing. Then zipper on new dodger broke so water coming in through the window and because of the heel of boat mega water came in. I was mega nervous but Peter assured me the bilges were working. Then, the bigie. See if you can tell from the picture! And one more thing - motor stopped, we restarted and this continued for a bit. Marie you have been there when this happened! But once again trusty Captain Peter saved the day again!  What an awesome captain to have on board!!

anything different?

December 21...Had my first swim this morning finally in clear water - mattress was out drying and while we were having coffee, suddenly it blew off the deck. I said a few choice words while captain was in la la land and knowing the dinghy was locked up and the wind carrying mattress out to sea, I quickly jumped in and saved it. Current pretty strong but survived!  Where was the camera? It seems I have become the official photographer!

Prickly Bay, Grenada

Well we have arrived. Left Power Boats, Trinidad about 4 pm and arrived Scotland Bay where we had to tie a stern line. Figured we would leave about 3 30 a.m. which we did with no problem. Well we managed to get to Prickly Bay approx 5 pm. which wasn't too bad considering. Considering what you say?  Winds strong and waves up to 12 feet or some! and more but captain does not want me to broadcast to the world. Let‘s just say I was ready to jump ship! Probably will come out eventually but the important thing is everyone is safe and still happy. We went to bed last night in the main salon at 7 30 pm and didn't wake up till 7 30 this morning. Just checked in and will be off to bank and Budget.

view of bay at Chaguarmas from Customs and Immigration

leaving Chaguaramas