Grenada Rainbows

Now that our company is gone Don and I are headed back to Grenada via Carriacou as we are in need of  boat parts. Even though the Starship just emerged from the boatyard the law of boating/cruising states that you are really not in paradise unless something mechanical is in need of fixing and the parts you need are at least 1000 miles away! 

But never in a hurry we spent the holidays idling on the beautiful beaches of Carricou along the way, enjoying the clear water and temperate breezes. Even though the Christmas winds have finally arrived blowing 20-25 knots, behind the island in Tyrrel Bay is a flat paradise and we have been wet everyday.

Carriacou ranks on the top of Daisy’s list as well! 

A weather window opened up and it is now southward to Grenada with our sails up, our underway playlist blasting, and the autopilot not liking our downwind direction.

Otto the autopilot is old and decrepit so only has to pull a watch when absolutely necessary.

The busy port of St. George, Grenada is bustling and busy with sailboats, cruise ships and mega yachts, with some mega yachts the size of cruise ships. 

Being a large island Grenada creates her own weather, and daily tropical showers bring daily gifts from Mother Nature.

A stop at the best roti shop in the entire Caribbean is always a requirement, veggie with fresh pumpkin and mango, spicy homemade chili relish and a cold Caribe, B’s is the spot! 

We need a tachometer as I am guessing at RPM's at this point and a few other slightly vital mechanical parts but ….we are not in a hurry are we? 

Riding the Wind

Spectacular skies have become the norm while Shawn has been visiting us here in the beautiful islands of the Grenadines.

The wind has been light but the night skies incredible and while we are hoping for some wind so kite boarding can commence my camera has been busy and I am loving the digital age! 

Finally a favorable weather report and we are heading out to the more remote anchorage of Frigate Island on the south west shore. First a last pit stop to top up on fresh veggies, fruit, beer, and one last roti for the road. The produce stands of Union are tourist priced but colorfully displayed so shopping is a visual as well as palatable experience.

On his last day here the weather gods finally deigned to provide adequate wind for kite boarding for Shawn the snowboarder now in the tropics. Ready to go with all his new kite board equipment,  setting up on the beach for a launch requires a bit of work.  

Pumping and untangling and Dad all the while ready in the chase boat just in case. 

Fortunately he seemed to get the hang of it pretty quickly and lamented that the wind became perfect on his last day of vacation. 

A goodbye sky……

Have a Wonderful Holiday Season....

To all our friends and family,


We miss you all and hope this Holiday Season brings you joy and laughter, warmth and good cheer, and above all else..... health and happiness. 

                                       Love .......... Deb and Don and Daisy

The Perfect View

12/17/2011

Fort Hill, Union Island

With still no wind but low on food and grog we headed back to Union Island.

Fort Hill over-looking the harbor and airport of Clifton offers spectacular 360 degree views and provided a good hike for a much needed workout.

The island of Mayreau and the Tobago Cays were easily visible from this ruined 17^th century French fort complete with rusty cannons and dilapidated walls. 

A hot and sweaty climb but well worth the panoramic view. 

The hike back down had as much to offer as the summit.  

A profusion of zinnias grow wild here on the island in all their reds, pinks and a surprise splash of yellow.

Top it off with a sunset walk on the beach at happy hour and the day could be termed perfect.

            Bunks are available......

Tobago Cays, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

12/13/2011

Awaiting the wind for kite boarding it was decided that we should head out to the famed and popular Tobago Cays. 

A marine park and turtle sanctuary, this pristine spot is protected by a horseshoe reef and yet open to the full trades. 

10 to 12 knots was all that was forecasted so it was a perfect day to go east and see some turquoise water.

Made up of four low coral islands and white pristine beaches with easy snorkeling, this is also a green and hawksbill turtle nesting site. 

A beautiful spot and so clear you can see the bottom and count the sand.

                                                         Hanging out on the front porch.

Snorkeling was a must and all promptly got wet and headed for the reef. 

File fish, trunkfish, anemones and this graceful school of blue tang. 

So nice to be Wet!!!!!!!

Out of the Boatyard…..Life is Good!!!

12/5/2011

The Starship has been revived from her long dormant, moldy, ant-infested hibernation in Grenada Marine where she has been patiently awaiting the crew’s return these last six months. 

It was a long and tormented haulout for Captain Don after months of remodel work at home in the States and then two more months battling mud, rain, mold, and every bug imaginable in the boatyard. 

For any of you on his email list, I know you were explicitly kept abreast of just how pleasant it was….daily. Note to self…..no hauling out in the jungle during the rainy season!!!

I wisely and necessarily remained behind working and paying off bills in South Carolina, desperately hoping to miss the messy launch and clean-up. 

Thanks to our son Shawn who flew in to assist Dad with bottom paint and launch procedures, we are now floating!  

This despite the minor damage to the almas during the final launch moment by the travel lift (crunch…ouch…..#$^&(@...!!) We again bless whoever it was that invented Splash Zone!

Our destination is now Union Island in the Grenadines a short day sail of thirty-five miles to the north. 

Breathtakingly beautiful with crystal clear water and a protected reef perfect for kite-boarding, we are hoping for strong trade winds as Shawn is determined to learn to ride the wind. 

Arrival in time for moon rise.

The next morning brought a walk about the small town of Clifton provisioning, checking in, and general remembering where everything is. 

It has been a year since Don and I were here last so we spent the day remembering where the cheap beer and best rotis are sold, determining if the french deli had baguettes and hoping for some fresh papayas .

Anchored in front of Happy Island, made out of conch shells and providing hi-decibel reverb Reggae, we commenced relaxing. 

Rainbows and Reggae…..yah mon!

High and Dry in the Jungle

Three months in Grenada and now it is time to head to the boat yard to put our floating house up and away for an extended visit home. Don and I are excited to make the cross-country drive to see family and friends (my first!) but sad to be leaving the Starship, our oasis on the sea. Contemplating the promise of dry rot, ant invasions, and copious amounts of mold, I expect to spend large amounts of cash on vinegar and paper towels upon our return. 

This will be our first time hauling out on a travel lift in the thirteen times the Starship has been high and dry, not including the many times she was careened and beached on the Pacific side for simple one day bottom jobs. 
Here in the Caribbean the tides are minuscule so hauling completely out is the only choice for us when a bottom job is required and provides opportunity for the many necessary maintenance projects.

Hauling out is always stressful and the Captain had a moment or two of rapid heartbeat. 
But the boatyard crew was excellent and deserving of the cold six-pack of Caribe they earned.

Now we are jacked up and tucked into our appointed slot amidst all the other multihulls. Awaiting our hurricane tie downs, watching the laundry drip dry in the few hours of sunshine that might appear today, and making sure all must do lists are complete, our killer guard dog is very busy keeping all the birds and bad guys away. 

Daisy knows something is up. The suitcases are out, a thorough visit to the vet was made, and there is grass under the boat with her name all over it. Luckily she is a seasoned traveler and the many forms of travel we will undertake this summer will be a breeze for her. Whether by boat, plane, car, subway, or train, as long as there is enough carne she is happy. 

Paradise is not ALL palm trees and beautiful sand beaches, although we do try to keep a good supply of cute little cocktail umbrellas and cold beverages on hand! But.......
330 steps plus 11 from the back forty to the bathrooms!