Admiralty Bay, Bequia, SVG                                                                                                13:00.54N   61:14.26W

 

 

Tyrrel Bay was a little sad with rather too may decaying and unloved yachts sitting on moorings waiting perhaps invain for their owners.  We think the US fiscal cliff may have something to do with this.  We renewed our friendship with Connie and George of Arawak Divers with whom we will dive when we come south again.  Sunday lunch at the Slipway where local sloops and schooners were built is next to the small ship/yacht yard, Tyrrel Bay Haulout, which is under new ownership and having a facelift.

 

We took the new dinghy into the enormous mangrove lagoon, the Carenage, on the north side of the bay which is used as a hurricane anchorage.  It is landlocked but for a very narrow entrance and the shelter in complete and there is room for hundreds of boats along it mile plus long shoreline.  However it is a marine conservation area and boats are only allowed there to shelter from storm conditions. 

 

To enter the next small island in the Grenadines, you have to check out of Grenada with Customs and Immigration, sail across the border to Union Island and check in with the St Vincent Customs and Immigration.  This has sometimes been a real trial, with surly and unhelpful officials.  However, either we are better at getting the best out of them or they have realised that we are not all potential criminals.  Our recent experiences have been nothing short of a delight.

 

We spent a day in idyllic weather behind the reef in Clifton sorting out a 3G and 4G dongle for our computer to allow us internet access when we are in a mobile phone reception area.  This is Chris's domain, I don't have her patient persistence!  Wifi is available in the popular main harbours, but off the beaten track we have previously had to rely on satellite communications for emailing. Internet access was then not possible.  However the march of technology over the last ten years has improved our communication possibilities out of all recognition.  Sadly our Red Box router, which should allow us to use our iPads on line on board, is defying even its London based guru, and will not work for more than a few minutes at a time and is very frustrating for the onboard techi.

 

 

 

BBQ chef creating.

 

 

We had a brief stop in little Cannouan where the magificent new J Class yacht Lionheart appeared and anchored close-by.

 

As we sailed up to Bequia the wind went northerly (our course) and a line of cloud from horizon to horizon approached from the east.  Conditions became filthy with a lumpy sea and approaching 30 knots of wind.  While pulling down a second reef in the mainsail one of the battens made a concerted attempt to escape.  So the sail was lowered, the batten resecured, rehoisted,  with the skipper leaping around on the heaving deck to accomplish it.  I was beginning to wonder whether I was getting too old for this game, but NO! ........... there is still life in the old dog?? 

 

As we passed West Cay entering Admiralty Bay there is now a small freighter hard aground on one of the prettiest stretches of coast.  A few months ago this Dominican boat made a major navigational error during a minor tropical storm and will end its days here.  Local divers have declared its hull to be wafer thin, but it will not go quickly.

 

 

Another time expired freighter in its slow death throws.

 

We are now busy organising our Christmas with a group of other yachties and getting into the spirit.  Andrew, with charter guests aboard Gitana, should arrive here tomorrow so we hope he will be able to spare us a little of his time.  Meanwhile Bequia which was very quiet when we arrived is filling up with yachts for the celebrations.

 

 

 

Song and dance on the beach in Bequia.

 

If you are still reading this, we wish you a very happy Christmas.