| Update:
Xmas 2001, Grenada |
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Hog Island anchorage |
We left Coral Cove on 18th December - over six months since
we had last been sailing! Leaving after lunch, we motored round to Scotland
Bay, where we anchored to prepare the evening meal. It was very peaceful
in the bay, but we didn't really get to appreciate it - I noticed that
the red light of the fridge compressor had come on, and Graham spent the
next couple of hours lying on his back, to reach into the space underneath,
and swapped the controller for a spare (we had stocked up with perishables
in Trinidad...). |
| We had planned to leave before dark, but then the engine
stalled! G bled the engine and got it restarted and it was already
dusk by the time we had our anchor up. It was a lovely starry night, with
NE wind at 10 -15 knots and we were within sight of our good friend Jim
on Hand Basket much of the time. Later the wind backed more to the
East and the Trade Winds steadied, with occasional squalls. Arriving off
Grenada after dawn, we got a call on the VHF from Overstreet and
we headed straight in to Hog Island, our chosen anchorage for Xmas. |
| It was delightful to be back at anchor in lovely, peaceful and breezy
Hog Island, after the industry, bustle and humidity of Trinidad. There
were fewer boats than last year, so we had plenty of room. After some Xmas
shopping in St Georges (with an obligatory roti stop at the Nutmeg), we
were ready for the festive season. In company with Overstreet, Hand
Basket, Loon, and Matthew Lawe we spent several days feasting
and enjoying ourselves. Hope the rest of the anchorage wasn't too disturbed
by the singalong on Xmas Eve..... On Xmas Day, Simon & Linda brought
the veggies and Jim brought his banjo onboard and we had Xmas Lunch followed
by another musical session. |
L-R: Steve, Graham, Jim, Carol,
Susan, B, Linda, Matthew and Dave aboard Overstreet on Xmas Eve
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In Hog Island, the (only) place to go is Roger's Bar. Now he has steel
pan musicians to provide entertainment for the regular Sunday BBQ, and
as usual it is a good place to meet other cruisers and watch the sunset.
With development planned for the island, this may be the last season
in which to enjoy this special anchorage.
Left: Hog Island, with Roger's
unobtrusive bar
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| Having both had rotten chesty colds, we had a quiet New Year's Eve,
and then started back to the 'To Do' list. Graham prepared the woodwork
on the coachroof for applying Bristol Finish (a multi-part urethane finish
which promises to be more durable than varnish) while B started the Latin
American Spanish course on the computer and became the Hog Island hairdresser.....
Right: B cutting Dave's hair |
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The weather was good, mostly clear sunny skies, with a
lovely breeze, until I did the laundry, when it rained for two days....
On 4th January we moved around to Prickly Bay and went ashore to Castaways
for dinner with Dave, Carol and Katie. We met Tim and Jean (Sassie)
at the Spice Island jump up, and said farewell to our Hog Island chums
as we prepared to head north. We left Prickly next morning and motor sailed
up the coast, trying to find the wind. The weather deteriorated and the
seas became very lumpy.
Left: Katie got her hair braided
on Grand Anse (not by B!) |
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| We left the submarine volcano, Kick Em Jenny, well to the East - although
this is no longer erupting and the status has been downgraded from orange
to yellow, there is a risk of gas upwellings from the volcano, which could
be sufficient to lower the water density, allowing any vessel above to
sink like a stone, so it is essential to give this area a wide berth...
After that, conditions improved and we had a great sail up to Tyrell
Bay, where we anchored near to the Turtle Dove, where we later had a delicious
pizza. Next day we visited the Carriacou Yacht Club, which ranks as our
favourite in the world so far, and enjoyed a tasty lunch on their verandah
overlooking their gardens and the bay.
Right: making the flags
for our forthcoming adventures (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Cuba) |
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Cruisers Notes:
Hog Island is a great place to get away from it all, so you have to
dinghy to Woburn or Secret Harbour for shops and services.
Take the bus from Woburn (1.75 EC each way) or Darius' taxi for cruisers
from Secret Harbour (7 EC return) to go to St George for provisioning.
Fresh produce market is best on Friday and Saturday. Marketing Board on
Young Street (near Tikal for gifts and Art Fabrik for batik) has a good
range of fruit and veg, priced. Food Fair supermarket (by the Nutmeg) is
good, and supermarket in Spice Mall (near Grand Anse) has more imported
goods. CKs for case lots, wine and beer. Small shops at Prickly Bay, Secret
Harbour or Woburn for essentials and fresh bread.
Propane refills at Secret Harbour 60EC for 20lbs.
Internet - my favourite place of all is Island View Restaurant, where
you can sit by a window overlooking Clarkes Court Bay and use their computer
for 10EC per hour, while doing laundry downstairs at 5EC per load (but
only one machine in each case...). Otherwise we have used Hankeys in St
Georges and Spice Island Marine at Prickly (fast but expensive).
Restuarants: Great Rotis at the Nutmeg, St George (9EC). Good Chinese
- Choo Light, Prickly Bay. Roger's BBQ on Sunday afternoon, Hog Island
15EC. Great fish and chips at Castaways, Prickly Bay |
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