Back to Grenada

After the rain squalls passed we picked up anchor and sailed the windward side of Carriacou down to Isla Ronde, a small group of islands just north of Grenada. Who knew there were so many reefs on the windward side of Carriacou that extended so far out? Wow! Dodged rain all day, and ended up motorsailing with the rain curtains up. Made being able to see a tad difficult, but we stayed dry. Decided to give Taylour her Gravol instead of the ginger tablets, only because we were worried about the seas being choppy. Not a good move. While she did sleep, she woke up groggy and cranky - so not herself!! It took her till dinnertime to feel normal again, and then her cheerfulness was once again back full force.

The best thing was, for the first time since we left the Bahamas, Dennis caught a mahi mahi. At four feet long, a real nice one! Taylour was our good luck charm. Once it was on board the rain came down hard and we had to hover off the island for half an hour before we could see to get in to anchor. Kind of rolly, and thought about heading down to Grenada, but with Taylour feeling, as she puts it, kind of poopy, we decided to let her watch movies on the computer and put up with the roll. Put the dinghy in the water to explore the island a bit, but not too much to see. Would like to have snorkelled, but the weather just wasn't co-operating. We didn't have a good enough hook to put a bridle on and the roll got worse through the night. I was close to waking everyone up at 4 a.m. to leave since there was a full moon and we could have left with no problem. Up at 5:30 and moved Taylour to the setee to sleep while we picked up anchor and left. She slept great underway, I made her pancakes for breakfast and she was happy once again. With leaving nice and early, we were anchored in Prickly Bay, on the south coast of Grenada, in time for a swim before lunch.

We spent 2 days in Prickly Bay, enjoying swimming off the boat whenever we wanted. Then headed back up to the Lagoon into Pt. Louis Marina. They had a great deal for Carnival - spend 2 nights, get the 3rd free, plus 5 free Carib every day. That did it for Dennis. Pulling in was challenging! We had to go sideways, and we don't have a bow thruster. It was interesting, but Junior pushed our stern with his dinghy and we didn't end up with our bow in our neighbor's cockpit! At least we had one extra person to help with Taylour on board. She wishes us luck leaving. Thanks!

Once again, pool and showers and a short walk to town. No need to take a bus in to see any activities. Taylour is a fish, so we spent lots of time in the pool! We arrived Sunday, and J'Ouvert started around 3 a.m. Monday. Lots of loud music, people painting, etc. Taylour did roll out of bed at 5 and we saw the end of it. I loved it, I woke her up and Grandpa got the dirty looks because he told her she could sleep any time, this was a once in a lifetime thing. We watched for a bit, electing not to walk downtown and get painted along the way. Back to the boat, I made eggs for breakfast and Taylour went back to bed. Dennis and I went down to the pool. It's so hot in the marina. Being out at anchor is much nicer!

Met Mike, Linda and Jenny on Opus (Jenny is 12) and the girls had a great time together. We went down to the Monday night Mas for some dancing and parading and took Jenny with us. We took a lot of our glow sticks with us and the local kids really enjoyed it when we shared. We went back to the boat and the girls watched a movie. This is killing us, they stay up way past our bedtime! Unfortunately it rained heavy off and on all day Tuesday, so the costume parade was cancelled. We did manage to get some pool time in between the showers. Can't believe Taylour is leaving already. Where did that time go? ~~~_/)~~~

Taylour in the Tobago Cays

Up early and actually sailed. I wasn't happy that Dennis put up the Yankee (the big jib), and we were over much more than I was happy with and, wow, what a first experience for Taylour. Gave her ginger tablets and the wrist bands and she was okay. Sailed by Union and Palm Islands, and then had to motor into the south anchorage of the Tobago Cays. The Park Rangers were waiting to collect their fees, and I have no problem with that. There really is a difference since we were here 2 years ago. Putting in the mooring balls and blocking off the beach access in a few places has made a great difference in the turtle population.

Wonderful snorkelling in the Cays and Taylour and I actually saw a small shark swimming in the shallows. We were really hoping that mama wasn't close by! Saw tons of turtles.

Decided that instead of exploring some of the close islands, we'd take the boat over to Petit Tabec (where they filmed some of the Pirates of the Caribbean). Well, for me, at the helm, it was challenging. Deep, shallow, deep, shallow, lots of reefs! Good lunch spot. Walked the beach and actually found 5 sea beans - 4 hamburger and a purse. Taylour doesn't realize what a great beach walk that is!!

Picked up anchor after lunch and sailed over to Petit St. Vincent. Another place we haven't been in our 4 years down here. Loved it so much, we stayed 2 days. Weren't real impressed with Petit Martinique, and it wasn't quite the provisioning place that Doyle's guides made it out to be. But, lots of great swimming and snorkelling around PSV, which we loved!

Now, back to Grenada! ~~~_/)~~~

Again, our photos are in the Picasa Web Albums on our side bar.

With Taylour, still having fun

So, we decided to head up to Carriacou for the Regatta. Left Prickly to anchor off Grande Anse, take Taylour to the beach there, and explore downtown St. George's some more before we headed off. Had a good motorsail to Grande Anse. Taylour is amazing, a few days on the boat and she can tell when we get a good hook or not. Which we don't get in Grande Anse Beach. We've never had luck, it's like a parking lot! Taylour was a natural, she could actually tell that. Took the dinghy in, walked the beach and Taylour bought some jewellery.

A really rolly night (she had that experience for the first time, not the last), so we decided to head into Pt. Louis and pick up a mooring ball. Had read Wandering Dolphin's blog (they travel with 5 kis), and discovered that for around $12 US a night on a mooring, you get all the marina facilities. A fresh water pool and, most importantly for a teenage girl, SHOWERS!

Picked up the mooring ball bright and early, ran the motor to charge, picked up some more groceries before heading off to Carriacou, then into the marina for the pool, showers and a srawberry fruity drink for Taylour. An early night for us, since we wanted to be on the way by 7 by the latest to get to Tyrell Bay. Poor Taylour, not a good trip. Went down to go to the bathroom and got sick. Brought her up on deck, gave her liquids, covered her head with a cold cloth and then the rest of her with a cold pareo. She was okay as long as she had a cold cloth over her face and her IPOD in her ear! What a trooper. Once we got into Tyrell Bay and anchored, she was in the water and was fine. Stayed Friday night till Saturday morning, then over to Sandy Cay for 2 days. The first time we've stayed there in our 4 years down here. Absolutely amazing snorkelling. Plus, the boats from the Regatta were really close.

Taylour at Sandy Cay!

Tobago Cays, next stop. ~~~/_)~~~

Taylour in Grenada - the beginning

Okay, finally getting to our wonderful time with Taylour. Got my head out of the Twilight books, finished all 4 in 10 days (thanks, again, Kelly), spent an enjoyable night listening to the amazing Doc Adams Blues Band that were playing at the University Club (right in front of the boat), and I'm finally in the mood to get this down


Last night with Kelly, Charlie and the kids

Our time with Taylour was absolutely amazing, from start to finish. She is just such an amazing young woman. Sometimes so grown up and sometimes still our little girl! I picked her up at home on Tuesday night, July 14th, and we headed back to Kelly and Charlie's place. Fire on the patio, roasted marshmallows, glow sticks and a great last night. On Wednesday, Parker was with friends and Dennis watched Brooklyn while Kelly and I had a pedicure and Taylour got a manicure. A last girl thing! Kelly and the kids dropped us off at the Embassy Suites for our early flight out on Thursday. Thursday came bright and early, and Taylour had her first flight! Dennis and I had booked our flights and seats ahead of time. Couldn't get seats together, so Taylour got Dennis' seat and he got to sit and chat to other people. He was happy and we had fun. After having an early dinner, because our flight didn't get into Grenada till 8:30 at night, we found out that the flight was cancelled. They put us up in the on-site hotel room, but getting some of our luggage was quite the challenge. If they had just told us at first to forget it, we would have bought some things to sleep in and toiletries ... well, that's just too long of a story to go into! I got 10,000 American Airline points for all my complaining and ruined luggage ... enough said!

Got in, stuff stowed, new toilet installed by Dennis while Taylour and I went grocery shopping. She got spoiled and doesn't know it. I called up Sean to pick us up, drop us at the grocery store, and pick us up 2 hours later. Usually, for us, it's a walk and a bus ride! Since we were in the marina, with no place to swim off the boat, we took Taylour to Calvingny Island the first day and then to Le Phare Bleu and the pool after that.

Finally off the dock and motored over to Prickly. Taylour did not feel well. Brought out the ginger tablets and the wrist bands that Eileen and Rick and left and that seemed to work. Time to go into town and get things done. Ooooh, Taylour does not like to walk in the heat or shop in boat stores! I think that was the only complaining we had for the whole 3 weeks, was any walking that we had to do. Put her in a water situation and she was fine though! Went downtown and had to hit the cruise ship mall twice for the air conditioning so she could make it back. As soon as we got back to the boat and she got into the water, she was wonderful. Spent a fantastic 2 days in Prickly swimming off the boat and listening to Taylour's stories. This girl makes me laugh so much!! She went snorkelling for the first time and did real well. Grandpa helped her find the killer conch! Yes, we put him back!

Off to Grande Anse and beyond! ~~~_/)~~~

Just posting a few photos for each blog - check out our Picasa photos on our side bar to see all of our photos.