GRANADA POSITION 11:59.30N 61:46.00W
Aurelia
Shirley and Michael Webb-Speight
Thu 11 Jan 2007 13:32
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Arrived last night at Prickly Bay which is a port
of entry into Granada.
Leaving Tobago took us all day, as we had changed
our declared plans and wanted to leave from Tobago to go to Granada. There
was some difficulty convincing the authorities that Skippy and Effie did not
intend making Tobago their permanent home. Immigration were eventually
persuaded with the assistance of an ongoing ferry booking to
Venezuela.
We said farewell to Skippy after over a month in
his company. We were so lucky to have had such a willing crewman on board
- always thinking about what we are doing, interested in the kids, uncomplaining
and sensitive to our needs for space. We wish him well on his future
voyages.
We were both relieved and pleased not to have to go
to Trinidad in the end - having heard nothing but reports of crime,
kidnappingsand violence in an industrial setting, it seemed to be no place
to take the kids if we didn't need to go there. The sailing angle to
Granada was much better and the distance about the same so we find ourselves
more in line with our programme.
The sail over to Granada turned out to be quite
boisterous - several large rain squalls came through with 35 knot SE winds and
heavy rain. We made good time and dropped anchor just before dark - 77
miles in 11 hours.
We will front up the to authorities here this
morning and possibly check out the main town of St Georges. Granada is
still recovering from hurricane Ivan two years ago - but seems a prosperous
place at first glance with large homes in Prickly Bay.
It seems a shame to spend half a day checking in
and out of a new country if we are only staying a day or two anyway - so we are
going to have to get a bit smart about where we are going to spend our time as
we head north.
The department of planning is working on our timing
from here on - we will have a better idea in a day or two.
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