A Successful Launch

We have been in Grenada for one week now and are finally out floating in Prickly Bay. It was great to step off the plane and smell the warm, humid sea air and vegetation. This is our eighth visit here so it feels like coming home to a favourite place.

That hot sun didn’t feel as good after 4 days working “on the hard” in the boatyard! The time was spent doing the usual- cleaning, and putting the boat back together after storage.

The water pump, in-boom furling, windlass, and generator all didn’t work on the first try. Rob has been busy making repairs or replacements. We have emptied the seven boxes that were shipped from home and found a home for most of the food, clothes, supplies and spare parts.

We treated ourselves to a room at Cool Runnings to sleep. Unfortunately we couldn’t get internet until the last day. And on Thurs there was no power all day so no showers, AC, or lights either. It is dark 6 to 6 right now. We missed “Da Big Fish”, a restaurant next to the marina. It has new owners who are renovating and hoping to have it reopened shortly.

We have met a few sailors here that we know from previous seasons. It is always fun to catch up and discuss plans. Quite a few sailboats have arrived from Trinidad in the last few days as the weather has been good. We haven’t been here in the fall before and the wind is not as strong as it has been in Jan..

The launch on Oct 31 went well. It feels so good to be on the water and in the breeze even though it is a bit rolly. The boat kids dressed for Halloween and visited other boats by dinghy. It was amazing to see all the costumes when you know how limited the supplies would be on a boat.

Bob and Barb Shanks arrive tomorrow night from Calgary and will be with us until we all fly back Nov.30 from Martinique. After a few days enjoying Grenada we will sail through St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to St. Lucia, and then to Martinique. Maggie will then stay in the marina at Le Marin until we fly back Jan.6. The Blue Planet Odyssey leaves from there Jan.18. Looking forward to that!