Voyaging again

Calema
Wed 8 Jan 2003 16:58
We left Soufriere in St Lucia this morning at 0600 so we could complete our trip down to Admiralty Bay in Bequia in daylight. Infact we could have a lie in because we averaged well over six knots for the trip and dropped the hook at about 1530. We reached down the whole of the western shore of St Vincent which is craggy, green and cloudy. The top of the volcano was always in the mist but is supposed to be great walk. We had been advised not to go to St Vincent for security reasons so carried on south to Bequia which is very yacht friendly and a roomy flat anchorage. The last few nights have been a bit rolly so looking forward to an undisturbed night. Reaching with one reef and a few rolls in the genoa gave us 7 knots for over an hour - if only we had some of this coming across the pond!
 
We plan to spend the next few weeks in the Grenadines which comprise St Vincent, Bequia, Carricou, Union, Mayreau and other small islands. The trade winds blow pretty constantly here and the islands are a bit flatter so hope to get some windsurfing done very soon. Tomorrow needs to be jobs day so Teg will be busy while I direct operations (I wish).
 
I lost my rag with some rasta vegetable marketeers this evening just after we had cleared customs and immigration (extra $EC 30 for being after 1600 - good ol' overtime - they are obviously not in the medical profession). We needed some fresh stuff for supper and these guys were clearly trying to clear their stalls before closing for the day and pounced on us with bags of cucumbers, tomatoes, bananas etc. They couldn't take no for answer  so we crossed the road and went to the supermarket. Shame really because it was nice fresh food. We never were ideal targets for high pressure sales reps (with or without dreadlocks).
 
Here are a few pics from the last few days.
 
1. Anse des Cochons. Really busy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. Put the kettle on love
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Petit Piton with Calema in foreground. We climbed that (why).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
That's all for now folks!