|
hot sun, sandy beaches and plenty of limin' (just 'hanging
out' for the uninitiated!)........much like back in my home
country, the UK, right now basking in an unusially hot summer.
In fact, I think it's hotter over there than it is here in
Grenada right now! But this is just normal here, and as we
go into the most dangerous months of the hurricane season
(one which was predicted to be 'active') the popular anchorages
of the southern Grenadan coast are pretty full of a mixture
of live-aboard and charter boats much like mine. All hiding
away until the the 'coast is clear' and we can return north,
to begin the season either in the Leeward Islands, from Anguilla
to Dominica, or further still to the Virgin Islands. But,
having said that, the cruising, live-aboard boats seem to
do nothing more than migrate from one anchorage south of the
hurricane belt during the summer months, to another anchorage
further north during the winter. And in between they don't
move at all! Sint Maarten in the winter for instance........two
hundred boats anchored in the lagoon for five or six months
without even hauling the anchor! That's NOT what I call sailing.
At least in my job I'm on the move a lot.
I've done three charters through the Grenardines now since
mid-April.........and another beginning early September. After
that, there's a proposed trip down to the Venezuelan islands
of Margarita, Los Roques etc, and on to Aruba and Curacao,
before we head north again. This may take us into the 'danger
zone' in Ven ezuelan waters. As you've probably heard, there
has been an unstable political situation there for some time,
although things seem relatively quiet now. There's been a
lot of unrest, strikes, and anti-government protest, accompanied
by a certain amount of lawlessness. There have been occasional
(but not a whole lot) of reports of attacks on cruising boats
around the islands, so cruisers are wary. Apparently there's
a referendum due in the coming months, so the situation could
get worse again!!........watch this space! Re: Meanwhile,
here I am, currently anchored in St.David's harbour, Grenada........a
bit rolly, but extremely pleasant.......one of the prettiest
anchorages (and quietest) around the southern coast of Grenada.
I'm using a month between charters to carry out some renovation
work on the boat........a bit of internal woodwork (a lot
in fact!), along with other cosmetic work, a new genoa furler,
re-finishing gelcoat etc etc. I'm using the services of Grenada
Ma rine, a haul-out yard that has been set up here by Jason
and Laura and seems to be doing well, if the number of staff
in the office are anything to go by! They've something like
150 boats on the hard, and I believe they're turning people
away this season. It's a port of entry, with customs and immigration,
sail loft run by Dave and Jane who previously had a successful
business doing 'canvas work' (biminis/dodgers etc) for the
Oyster yard on the east coast of the England, rigging work
overseen by Fletch, also an ex-Oyster man, and Fred Thomas
running Shipwrights, doing everything in wood! Check out www.shipwrights.com
of which they say "if his work is as good as his website!".
And, of course, the obligatory internet facility, and a beautiful
ranch-style bar/restaurant on the beach, popular for breakfasts
amongst the crew, and cold beers later in the day, although
I swear their 'happy hour' around dusk is for the vicious
mosquitoes, not for the drinkers!! Best avoided around t hat
time........but, as they say, things could be worse!
Re: I've just returned here from a short visit, last weekend,
to the regatta in Carriacou. I was in two minds about going
all along, because the trip from Grenada (particularly up
the west coast) to Carriacou can be a hard one if the breeze
is anything north of east........and it was!! Couldn't have
been more 'on the nose' if it tried! You know, they say
the Windex pointer on the top of the mast is to tell you
which way you're heading!! And it happens to tell you which
direction the wind is coming from AS WELL! Well, it turned
out to be the lowest key regatta I think I've ever been
to..........you had to work hard to find any racing going
on, and the area around Tyrell Bay where most of the visiting
boats were parked could only be described as 'dead' in the
evenings. And then for the return trip to St.David's harbour
on the S.E. corner of Grenada of course the breeze has shifted
to a light south-easterly making for a slow, and at times
flukey motor-sail. Glad to get back!
So, now I wait, and do what I can sorting things on the
boat before the next job. But this weekend is Carnival!!
and the island has been building up to this for weeks........so
that's something else! All the best to the 'crew' over there
in Palma........cap'n Pook.
|
|
