First week in the Caribbean
Before we start this blog, do take a look at this: BA pilot snaps brother-in-law sailing 38,000ft below - Practical Boat Owner (pbo.co.uk). Michael’s brother was flying over the Atlantic at the same time as we were sailing it and after numerous calculations from all kinds of data, he concluded that the yacht he photographed from his cockpit was actually us! Back to sea-level… Andy left the next day but the rest of us stayed to enjoy Grenadian hospitality and learn to “lime”, as they say here. We spent the next six days in the marina as the remaining yachts arrived and took the opportunity to explore the island. Visits to a chocolate factory (cottage industries), trees of nutmeg, cinnamon and other spices, a crater lake, and a lovely waterfall were all must-see tourist attractions. The waterfall involved a long and slippery hike into the forest but we were rewarded with a lovely swim while Hugo entertained us with a back-flip into a plunge pool.
Provisioning, washing and partying done, we slipped away on Friday 8th but not before saying goodbye to Hugo, who started the long journey back to Melbourne. It was lovely to reconnect after being apart for so long and he left two very proud and tearful parents on the dock, wondering when they would be able to get back to Australia to see him again.
Our first night on a mooring off the sandy beach just south of St. Georges was the first opportunity we’d had to swim off the boat and try out the fins and masks Hugo had chosen for us back in Las Palmas. Not too much to see but just lovely to be back in the water again, cooling off from the heat of the sun. One thing I could see was the bottom of the boat and I was delighted to see it was still very clean and the anodes were still in good condition. Just a few barnacles and worm casts on the rudder, which we’ve been able to deal with. No need for a professional diver yet!
After two days off the beach we sailed around the corner to True Blue Bay, a delightful little sheltered harbour with a bar and restaurant over the water. Sadly, Michael had to leave us at this point, but Galatea and Adastrina sailed in to join us. Giles |
