That's all for now Folks

Eowyn
Thu 24 May 2007 14:45
 
 
 
 
Éowyn is presently hauled in St Davids Harbour, Grenada in position 12:01.384N 61:40.730W
 
Sorry about the long period between updates - I forgot!!!
 
After Bequia, we sailed South to the Tobago Cays, an idyllic group of deserted tropical islands in the Grenadines - deserted that is until you see the 50 other yachts at anchor with you and the hordes of boat boys plying their wares. There are now marine rangers and a small £1 per day fee to anchor there. There seems to be more order as there was little or no litter from beach barbeques and there is now a cordon to protect the area where turtles feed. We ate on board, snorkelled and swam and the next day made the 5 mile hop to Mayreau where we explored the lovely island, walked to the church and ate at Denis's Hideaway. I had anchored in Saline Bay which has many less yachts than the more popular Saltwhistle Bay - good decision!
 
Tobago Cays viewed from Mayreau
 
We moved on to clear Customs at Clifton where we paid inflated prices for some second rate vegetables, then to B & C fuels at Petit Martinique. Here diesel is the cheapest in the area (2/3 of the price in Bequia) so we filled the tanks,80 gallons used in total this season.
 
Without clearing in we anchored for the night in Tyrell Bay, Carriacou and made an early start to Grenada the next morning. The sail was good and we arrived in St George at noon to clear Customs and learn about the massive development in St George and elsewhere by Peter de Savery. Development is happening in Grenada on a massive scale. Personally, I can't see the demand for thousands of marina berths and "condos", but time will tell !!!
 
I managed to get all of the spares I needed from Jonathan Fisher at Island water world chandlery. He was as helpful as always - thanks Jonathan. we continued on to Prickly Bay where we introduced Grace and Willie to the budget delights of the "Choo Light" restaurant. We were now slowly making out way to the lay-up yard in St Davids exploring the inlets of the South coast of Grenada. On Friday we took an Island tour  with Rock (Rochel Charles) and his historical (and political) knowledge was shared with us. Willie particularly enjoyed the visit to the River Antoine Rum Distillery. The previous night we had eaten at his wife's tiny restaurant "The Little Dipper", another great meal at a bargain price.
 
    
Willie considers coming out of Retirement!
 
Having Willie and Grace to help with the lay-up was marvellous as all the tasks were halved. Getting the sails off and the cover on have never been so easy. One last equipment failure - as we came in to the dock to be hauled, the engine impellor shredded - still better there than at sea.
 
At the time of writing Éowyn is on temporary stands and we are finishing off the minor lay-up chores before returning to the UK. The lay-up cradle should be in place next week. In the meantime we are spending a few days at La Sagesse as our base as we visit the boatyard daily.
Breakfast at La Sagesse
 
We have covered 1600 miles this season and visited 7 countries, we have mainly sailed, rarely having to hoist the "Iron Tops'l" and despite the gear failures we must count it as a very successful season. This diary will close now until we return to Grenada on 15 November.
 
 
 
Bye folks
 
Graham & Chris