To St Georges

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sat 4 Jul 2009 22:00
En Route to Port Louis Marina, St Georges, Grenada
 
 
   
 
 
 
Hillsborough had been quite a rolly anchorage and after four nights of storms and wiggling it was time to try to move on. More lows were due but as NOAA and the Caribbean Net weather forecasters were at odds with each other we decided the best thing was to stick our noses out to sea and have a look. Fair wind and flattish sea on to Grenada, rough sea and squalls slip in to Tyrrel Bay some five miles away. We knew we had to go round Mabouya Island and out past the Sisters Rocks before we could really judge conditions. As it turns out we were pleasantly surprised and had a good sail.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Many yachts and container ships tucked into Tyrrel Bay, an option for us if we didn't like what we found when we stuck our noses out of Hillsborough.
 
 
 
 
 
 
A first for us was sailing OVER an active volcano. Kick 'em Jenny lies two miles west of Isle de Ronde erupted last in 1988 and 1989. The Grenada government has declared a 1.5 km exclusion zone around the volcano at all times, not enforced, and 5 km when the volcano is rumbling. For the current status of activity you check before passing on www.uwiseismic.com another first for us. Kick 'em Jenny also has a reputation of kicking up a nasty sea as you go north, and it is particularly true if the tide is running east.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The coastline of Grenada was a mix of small towns and high forest.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The recent addition to the city is the cruise ship dock, seen here behind the container ship. The marina entrance is hidden on the right
 
 
 
 
 
 
St Georges a real mix of building styles, ages and conditions
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Bear getting the fenders ready, no sooner than we had tied up, than down came the rain.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Without a bow thruster I always wish for an easy parking space, but little could prepare me for this. Beez Neez found herself being shown to a vacant super-yacht slip. We had to park half way along to be able to reach the electric and water connectors. Safely settled it was time for some chores. Next to us was an English yacht Badger's Sett and owners Ken and Judith invited us over for drinks that evening, they are fellow members of the OCC (Ocean Cruising Club). The best story of the evening was that Judith's 87 year old mum had recently been caught doing 37 in a 30 mph zone and was offered three points and a fine of £60 or no points and a speed awareness course for £120, she took the points.
We had Ken and Judith to us the following evening and they gave us invaluable information and "Do and Don'ts" for Peakes, Chaguaramus, they have had thirteen years cruising in the Caribbean. They left on Monday to sail to Trinidad so we hope to catch up with them there.
We got on the phone and organised a little RAV 4 hire car for the next four days.
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO EXPLORING GRENADA - Total Miles 5809.