Curtis came 6pm sharp to pick us up for the dinner. Super reliable, helpful, friendly and funny.
We had a chat with Rosi and Orlando and acknowledged, that this is a special TO Base, no doubt. The overall arrangement is well thought through, the dinner delicious in a perfect sunset environment. Thank you!
Fair winds…
We have left the Grenadines against our plan as we need to fix a technical issue on the boat. Return is open at the moment.
In short, our service battery bank has aged quickly over the last couple of weeks and we are now at 12.0V only at 95% SOC (state of charge). This is despite the fact, that they have been declared in Puerto Calero three month back to achieve a 95% SOH (state of health). They are now under ICU management to prevent total breakdown before having new ones at hand.
We are heading back to Martinique to get them replaced. This gives us the great opportunity to visit the TO Base on St. Vincent Island. It is run by Rosi and her husband Orlando. A special arrangement in a very small and picturesque bay with very few mooring buoys, sunset dinner, rubbish disposal, immigration service. We opted for all of it! Pick-up for dinner is at 6pm sharp. Fish or Chicken? We pre-ordered one each and are now hungry after another pleasant sailing day in moderate trade winds.
Fair winds…
Typical Sailor’s Sunday: baking bread, brunch, swimming, cleaning the bilge from oil spill, working on batteries, surfing (the net), afternoon nap, rum punch, live music from beach bar, dinner cooking, early night.
Fair winds…
While we had a drink together with Rita and Hartmut from SY Kirke, big sails were looming up on the horizon. Superyacht Aquijo was joined a bit later by Sea Eagle II, another impressive floating home. I wish they had better weather today at 500k€ per week. We are lazy. Fair winds…
For entry clearance into 
St. Vincent & The Grenadines we had to go to Clifton, which is on the other side of the island.
I volunteered to get this done as Susan was working today and I had plenty of reasons to get the bike out. Knowing that the first and last km will end up in carrying the bike through the jungle, it became a special ride by all means. The stamp in the passport was done in a very professional manner.
I was not expecting anyone present at Sunset Cove Bar at my early arrival 7:30am but suddenly Kevin was there to help dragging the dinghy with the bike ashore. He also offered me a chair and a bucket of water to get the sand off my feet before jumping into the biking shoes. On top of that he provided me a tourist map and explained the walking path through the jungle to reach the road at the mountain top. I like the warm service sense at this place, friendly but not demanding.
Once in the saddle I became soon friend with a turtle trying to reach the other side of the road. I got puzzled, thinking it was totally lost and should get back into their natural element! A guy passed by smiling at me and when a car came along I signalled desperately to be careful.
The driver laughed at me shouting no problem, they are safe! It seems to be normal and I took it a bit more easy on the way back meeting a junior turtle. which even stuck it head out looking at me. Nice encounters.
Suddenly Jonathan was on the road next to me. Not sure where he came from but we took the ride together while chatting. He was on the way to school, grade 6, and likes biking, etc. etc. After about 2km we separated and I wished him good luck for his vision to become a football star or actor.
The stories during today’s ride went on and on but I have an invite for a birthday party tonight, which I cannot miss! Cruising life is quality life.
Biking on Union Island paralysed me today. What was supposed to become an Immigration Ride, turned out into one of my most diverse rides ever. Nature, people and biking wise.
Fair winds…
The rum punch was tempting, so was the atmosphere and the people. You can rest assured, that with an early Happy Hour closing at 6pm we had an early night as well.
Tomorrow is another special day!
Fair winds…
We have reached our next anchorage at Chatham Bay on Union Island. The bay is peaceful and not overcrowded. Minimum 7 bars along the beach compete to get a piece of the cake from the approximately 25 boats at anchor.
Phillip, one of the boat boys representing Sunset Cove Bar, came along and promoted Happy Hour starting 4pm. Therefore we have to rush now. Have a nice evening!
Fair winds…
Check out at Customs and Immigration was a hard one this morning. Although we were first in the queue, it took finally 1.5h to get the papers done. Normal procedure we were told, other sailors were suffering with us but we all took it with a pinch of humor.
The Grenada Sailing Week 2023 is ongoing this week. The start line in Carriacou is next to the anchorage. Participating boats jungle through the anchored cruisers while fighting for the pool position – some came very close to my nerves!
Finally the hectic came to an end. We lifted the anchor for our less than 5nm passage to Sandy Island! Caribbean kitsch as per the script and at its best!
Fair winds…
It was another hard day in paradise and I sense that we enjoy our time here more and more by absorbing and accustoming the liveaboard life with our lovely lady in the Caribbean.
It started with swell waking me up at 2am in the morning. The boat was rolling left right from some swell coming in from northwest quadrant. I prefer to get up rather than fighting to sleep under these conditions. The blog had to be updated anyway with the bike trip I did the day before. So what is better than to work on the blog in the very very early morning hours. At around 4am I finished and managed some more hours sleep as the swell went down a bit. I think, the swell comes with the tidal hours to some extend.
Susan had a business call at 6:30am and both of us being early birds under the sun enjoyed the morning tea in the cockpit before having late breakfast as there was no reason to rush for anything in the world.
The day passed by quickly. We went ashore for some shopping and an early sundowner in our favourite bar after a good afternoon nap, which simply doubles quality of life!
We decided to hold the local cabbage from the supermarket back for a later dish. It still needs to be packed tomorrow as per its label. Instead we enjoyed Honey Roast Chicken a là Jamie and his One Pan concept.
Fair winds…
It is Sunday morning, blue sky with light trade winds. Hardly swell in the bay. Less traffic, perfect conditions: No excuse! Let’s get on the bike.
There was some extended off-road included today, most of it very pleasant, with trees providing shade against the rising sun. Some cattle crossing my way. Carriacou offers some beautiful nature not only on the island itself but also around its shoreline. Some stunning views to Grenada, Petit Martinique, Union Island, etc. Most picturesque the anchorage at Sandy Island – SY Black Pearl included.
Back in Tyrrel Bay, I stopped at Barakena Bar for a beer and some of the best reggae music in the bay before taking the bike back with the dinghy.
Fair winds…
Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén