Loving Grenada - Except For The Boat Stuff!

Greetings from Grenada, still! We've had a wonderful time here, but it seems to be that everyone has had one heck of a shakedown cruise. Just In Time wins the prize for the most money spent with a new sail drive, but everyone that pulls in seems to be experiencing boat gremlins. We just weren't charging properly, and Tom from Conch'd Out came over and helped test the batteries -- yes, four new batteries needed. Kyeta needed to have their shaft aligned, a new radio and new antenna (which Dennis went up their mast to put on - at least it was less time than being up on Mobetah!). Vindomar had alternator problems, as did Squiz. Enza Marine, Budget and Island Water World are making money!
We've thoroughly enjoyed Grenada! The group from Coral Cove did a potluck on Thanksgiving, but we headed out for dinner with Ann and Denny (Kyeta), Tom and PJ (Conch'd Out) and Roy and Sue (Vindomar) and had a wonderful evening. No turkey, but a lot of fun. Did an island tour with a group of twelve and it was great. One of the group (I won't name Linda) paid extra to have the waterfall guy jump off naked.
Last Friday headed up to Gouyave for their Friday night fish fry, and the rain let up enough to let us enjoy the town. Of course, the taxi ride there and back was quite the trip. Slow down for speed bumps? No way!! Kidneys and spleen in the same place they should be? No!
Left Prickly Bay and headed up to anchor near Grande Anse Beach. Great when we got there but way too bumpy in the morning, so we headed into the Lagoon. Can't swim, but we do have free internet! Hoping to head out at the beginning of the week when the seas die down. We don't mind wind, since it takes over 15 knots to get us under a good sail, but really don't like 12 foot seas.
It's so nice to not be in a hurry to get anywhere and we can just hang out and wait for good weather and seas!!
Until next time ~~~~~/_)~~~~~~~~~

Trinidad to Grenada

Well, we've been busy since I returned from the States. Our new upholstery was delivered, and with all of the accent pieces we've been sewing all summer long, it's a brand new boat below decks. Did the last of our provisioning (not quite as bad as before since we now realize there is food on other islands!), and the last of our boat chores, and left the dock on Monday, November 13th. Much to Dennis' disgust, I needed one last swim to cool off after all my below deck chores, and then when we were ready to leave at 1 p.m. it looked like rain. He didn't care, we were off with the help of Kyeta, Equinox and Ticketoo. It rained so hard we circled off of Crew's Inn for an hour before he finally dropped the hook in 65' feet of water until we could have lunch and see again. Only one of us got wet - figure out who that was. Finally anchored in Scotland Bay around 4 p.m. and wondered why we hadn't left the dock to come up here for a few days before. Beautiful, quiet (except for the howler monkeys at dawn and dusk), and we could finally get into the water to swim.
Dennis was doing a last minute check on Tuesday before we headed off for Grenada and discovered a corroded wire on the alternator. Borrowed some wire from Cliff's Note and got that taken care of and headed off at 4 p.m. with Kyeta, Conch'd Out and Cliff's Note. What a wonderful night. Sailed almost all night, only having to turn the motor on once or twice, and we, amazingly, managed to dodge all of the rain squalls that we could see on the horizon. Lost Kyeta somewhere through the night - they had a few problems with the main and the motor. We pulled into Mt. Hartman's Bay with Conch'd Out (only bumped once when I paid attention to what Dennis was telling me, but didn't panic and got us right off), and dropped anchor at 7 a.m. Washed all the salt off the boat and put everything back where it belonged and headed into Customs and Immigration around 9 a.m. after Kyeta pulled in. We all stayed on the boat for the next day and a half, sleeping, swimming and relaxing. Decided after a couple of days to head over to Prickly Bay where we were closer to the buses and boat stores and we've been here since. Rolls a bit now and then, but it's not too bad!
I'll follow-up in the next couple of days with all the fun and excitement we've had working on our boat in an exotic location!!! ~~~_/)~~~

Newest grandchild

Just returned from Michigan and the birth of our 7th grandchild, Ryenn Lindsay Murray, born Tuesday, October 24th, 7 lbs 7 oz, 21 1/2 inches long. Avory is a wonderful big sister and a big help to Mom and Dad, Shaun and Kristine. I was thrilled to be there and watch little Ryenn being born, and then going back to Shaun and Kristine's and spending all that time with Avory. That little girl is just like her dad - runs everywhere, never walks!
Kelly and Parker came over on Saturday for a visit and Parker and Avory are quite a pair! Went and picked up Mom Hudson on Sunday so that she could see her newest great-grandchild, then headed back to Windsor, had lunch and helped her clean out her closets.
Sue and Dan picked me up from the airport - what good friends, since it was 11:30 at night. Sue and I got to spend time together Friday running errands, and then I picked up grandkids Taylour and Cody for a great dinner at Swiss Chalet - the best chicken ever!
The time flew by so fast! Miss all those kids, but can't take that cold weather!

Keeping busy in Trinidad

It's been a busy week. Ourselves, Jeff on Dragonfly and Buddy on Annapurna helped Tony and Sandy on Columbine move their boat without starting the motor, using tow lines and the dinghies. At times I felt like a wishbone with only our 9.9 h.p. trying to tow them. Sandy's making blueberry cobbler tonight to thank us all. She makes a wonderful blueberry cobbler!
Another holiday in Trinidad - this one celebrating when the Chinese first landed. We walked down to the festival, watched some of the dragonboat races and dances and took the bus back. Everyone immediately hit the pool since it's still so hot here. It's been raining every afternoon, so we've been down below watching movies and TV in the air conditioning!
Off to the market on Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m. for the great fresh produce, seafood and meats. I have to leave Dennis well-provisioned since I'm heading back to Michigan for two weeks when Shaun and Kristine have another baby girl, and I get to spend quality time with 2 1/2 year old Avory. -~/)~-

October, 2006

Greetings from Trinidad. It's been a busy and event filled summer, with the earthquake a few weeks ago being the topper. We've been working on the boat getting a lot accomplished, with a few side trips thrown in. Went to Tobago for a few days with a group of 18 from our marina and TTYC and had a blast. Climbed what felt like a huge mountain the other day to visit 2 waterfalls and a river. Swam in the waterfalls and by the time we got to the river, everyone went in clothes, shoes and all. A 6 hour hike! Off to the beach today with John and Karen, originally from Brockville and now living and working here in Trinidad.
More later!
Turned out to be a rainy Saturday, so we took the bus to the West Mall, shopped, had lunch and John and Karen took us back to their place for an afternoon of dominoes and dinner. Great afternoon and evening.
Sunday was rainy as well, so Dennis did some sewing projects while I did as little as possible. Finally got some reading done before heading up to the gazebo for potluck dinner.