True Blue Bay, Grenada 12:00N 61:46W
Southern Princess
John & Irene Hunt
Sat 19 Jan 2008 17:58
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We have had a busy time since Sammy & Megan
departed on New Years Day. The 2nd saw us heading south again to Le Marin in
Martinique and an appointment with the Beneteau agent. We required a new door
handle for the small fridge, a check up of the hydraulic steering and on impulse
we asked about replacing the washing machine. No luck with the door handle as
Beneteau had none in stock and it would take too long to get one from Frigaboat,
Fredo checked the hydraulic steering and pronounced himself happy that it had no
air in it and did not require bleeding and we acquired a new washing
machine.
Hubert suggested we try B.U.T a local wholesaler of
soft furnishing and white goods. Rented a car and away we went. Two hours later
we are back with a new washing machine by Brandt. Scary really as the Thomson
washing machine we were disenchanted with was also made by Brandt. Took a couple
of hours to change them over as the new one was 40mm narrower and after messing
about with hacksaws and drill bits I managed to alter the stainless steel plate
which becomes the major fastening device into the ship. The old one was given a
formal burial at sea. I have video, too big byte wise for the internet, where
Irene said a few appropriate words before consigning it to the
deep!
We spent a couple of days in Marigot Bay on St
Lucia where Irene attended a local private hospital with what turned out to be a
migraine headache. Great hospital, clean, up to date, modern and as good as
anything we would get in Australia. They even had a matron and proper nurses!
Great charging system, a flat US$700 up front charged to your Visa card and then
a refund if it didn't come to that amount! Whew! We got a
refund!
Travelled further down the island chain (Lesser
Antilles) Bequia and finally Grenada and True Blue Bay Marina. Our friends from
Scotland Derek & Bernadine Claase joined us on board for a few days. Their
Beneteau 57 'Iolanthe' had been left on the hard in Grenada for the summer and
they were returning to launch her a few days later. Derek & Bernadine had
crossed the Atlantic this year on Storyteller and when they had returned to
Scotland for Christmas had left with us a couple of suitcases which we delivered
to them in Grenada. We had a beaut few days and it was with sadness that we bid
them farewell. We won't see them again until early in 2009 when we all hope to
go skiing in Colorado.
The 1st time we sailed into Bequia, we were power
reaching at around 9-10 knots when a rubber ducky shot out and started
photographing Southern Princess. Found out later that an enterprising young man,
Kenmore Henville, takes lots of photos on 'spec', prints them and sells them
around the yachts the following day. Unfortunately we departed at 06:00 and
missed him, however on our return journey, I called him and met him at his
waterfront office. Some beaut pictures and we bought the digital images for the
lot, one print mounted and framed which now hangs in pride of place on board.
Not a bad business; if only half the yachts pay him what we paid for our shots,
he will be a great success.
Back up the islands to Martinique so that Irene
could fill the ship with good French food, wine and goodies prior to our
next leg of our journey back to Australia.
Arrived back in St Lucia on January 15th to prepare
for the journey to Panama. Chris & Faith Mortimer join us on the 19th and
they will crew with us until the Galapagos. Lorraine Steele joins us in Ecuador
and sails with us to Tahiti. Be great to see old friends again.
I don't believe the St Lucian government. We
arrived here on December 12th and Irene was issued with a 3 month visa. (We
kiwis don't require one!). It cost EC$125, required a photo, a completed form
and a stamp in her passport. OK fair enough but when we returned today they
wanted the whole bloody lot done again because it was a 'single entry' visa
only. They really are stupid as this will stop people returning to St Lucia and
just sail right by to the other islands. Wish I had an email address for the
Minister, I would really give him/her an earful.
We have a bit of work required here before we
depart for Panama. The leach line in the genoa has broken, we are installing a
new 12v bank of batteries and we must have a cover made for the foredeck. We
have so much rain that we have to cover the fore deck so guests sleeping in the
forward cabins can leave the hatches open for air.
Once we start on January 23rd on the leg to Panama,
I will probably start the every day ARC log again so tune in to find out
progress.
Hope this hasn't been too boring!
Happy New Year and a GREAT 2008.
John & Irene
 Just another sunset!
 The repaired boom. Note the two
patches hope they hold to NZ!
 Still has a crinkle at the
gooseneck!
 Dockwise is a ship for transporting
ships. It sinks, the cargo floats into place then they re float the cargo part
of the ship.
 Some of the places we are forced to go
for lunch. Someone has to do it!
 Irene, Bernadine, JH & Derek at
Aquarium Restaurant, Grenada.
 The girls are happy.
 Le Marina Harbour, Martinique &
the local craft are racing.
 Power reaching into Bequia, January
8th, 2008
 9-10 knots and she is
smoking!
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