To Tobago Cays (and Back)

Irie
Wed 11 Feb 2009 01:22

Monday 9th February

Lance aux Epines cottages, Prickly Bay

 

Today we hauled out for the great rudder adventure. Jane and Jem flew away to the cold and snow last Friday, a week earlier than planned because Jane’s dad hasn’t been too well. Still, at least they made it out here this year, and we’ve had great fun. Chatham Bay was a good stop. Once ashore we savoured happy hour in the bar, coincidentally sharing a beer with Canadians Peter and Eileen from Appleseed, who we met last year. Sundown coincided with a speculative green flash depending on how much of the palliative had been consumed and then the four of us settled down to dinner – 2 x red snapper and 2 x lobster. These shore-side meals can be a bit stereotype Caribbean, but this was excellent. A party of American game fishers were on the next table, fresh ashore from a very serious looking boat in the bay. They were a little dominant, and liked fishing for the sake of it, but also interesting in that the oldest guy was a partner in the company that built the twin towers – they looked like serious money, though I guess on a boat that drinks 100 gallons an hour at cruising speed, it helps.

The trades were still blowing at 20 – 25 knots, and though Chatham’s sheltered, the gusts shrieked down over the hill at 35 knots, causing the rigging to howl, the boat to veer around and the wind generator to whine like a banshee – plenty of power but limited sleep for the uninitiated. In the morning we set off for Tobago Cays, but the wind stubbornly refused to ease, so we opted for the shelter of Saline Bay on Mayreau. Swimming and a walk up the hill followed by an amble back down to the Sunset Bar set the tone, and a more than reasonable day ensued. It was rounded off by a surprise pirate event sponsored by Jem, and involving headgear, eye patches and rum. By now, Jane had made the decision to return, so Thursday the crew were roused at 6.30, and Irie motored the couple of miles to the Cays for breakfast, and we’d made it to our northernmost objective, despite the shortening of time. From here we set off south again, back through Clifton followed by a steady sail to Hillsborough and then back to Tyrell, with Irie expertly piloted by Jem. Dinner ensued in the Turtle Dove in the form of excellent but large pizzas, and the crew then settled for the night prior to an early start on Friday. By now the wind was really easing, and a 6.00 am start saw Irie sailing down the Grenadian coast by 10.30 or so, and then tourist coast hugging to St Georges via Mango Bay where Jane and Jem started a fortnight before. All too soon the anchor splashed once more into Prickly Bay, our chums were absorbed into packing before the short dinghy ride ashore, a final beer and then the short taxi ride to the airport – suddenly the boat seemed empty.

 

 Some rather suspect pirates

 

 

 

Jane and Jem on Mayreau - Tobago Cays behind

 

 

Sunset over Chatham