We sailed from Grenada to drop anchor just behind Sandy Island on the 11th January.  On our way we were hailed by ‘Kokomo’ a 59metre Ed Dubois design yacht (see photo below).  On board was Ross Culbertson, the son of old friends of ours. We had a short chat over the VHF.  They were motoring all the way up to Antiqua to pick up the next lot of clients.  We asked why they were not sailing, apparently it takes 20 mins to put down the keel and put up the sails, too much effort!!

As soon as we stopped speaking to them one of our fishing lines ran and we caught a 6lb Bonito so dinner was decided for that evening.  The anchorage off Sandy island was very rolley so we upped anchor and headed for Union Island.  That night it was the ‘Full Moon Party’ on the beach where there is a Kite surfing school.  We decided to go, it was huge fun, kites were lit up and some of the surfers were also lit up. They were jumping over a bonfire lit in the sea off the beach, great fun to watch.  The music was good at first as well with lighting with laser lights.  Donald and I had great fun dancing and even Jonathan joined in!!  

The following morning we were in Clifton getting some fruit and veg etc. and we bumped into Will and Jackie Michelmore from Exeter!  They were sailing with friends down the coast.  Sadly their friends had already checked out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and said they could not stay the night which was a shame as it would have been fun to have had them on board for drinks and dinner.  They were in a hurry to get down to Grenada.  Missing out one of the best islands which, we think, is Petit St. Vincent.  Normally the authorities are fairly understanding and don’t mind if you leave the following morning, the friends said they were officious but we have never found this.  So long as you give a smile, have your papers in order, are polite and wear a shirt/top, you are fine.

We sailed over to Petit St. Vincent and for the first time ever had no wind funnelling through between the island and Petit Martinique.  It was like anchoring in the middle of an azure blue swimming pool.  We paddle boarded, swam and enjoyed the water.  We went ashore to the beach restaurant in the evening where they serve the best dry martinis I have ever had.  We had a lovely table looking over the water in bright moonlight.  Donald treated us to dinner.  See picture below.  

The next morning we bought a couple of lobsters off the fisherman who came by, he also had some Octopus but I decided it was too hot to be bothered with the long slow cooking of it so decided not to buy some.  We went for a long walk along the beach after, pictures of which are below.