St Lucia

Arrived safely in Marigot Bay St Lucia after a so so trip from St Vincent,

Just had a magnificent fish dinner of the Mahi Mahi we caught on the way up.

BEQUIA TO WALLILABOU THEN ON TO ST LUCIA

First there was one.

Then there were two

and finally three monstrous cruise ships all vomiting guests into tiny Bequia.

The shuttle boats were queueing up at the dock.

The taxi drivers were queuing up at the gas station to refuel.

I don't know what the cruise ship visitors thought but I was safely on board.

Off on Sunday morning to Wallilabou then on to St Lucia on Monday.

BACK IN BEAUTIFUL BEQUIA

Here in Bequia anchored off the North shore in Elizabeth Harbor although Julie wants to be back in the Tobago Cays getting close to turtles.

We had a good sail up from the Tobago Cays to Bequia with the SOG [ Speed over Ground ] registering 7 + knots most of the time. I had the center board all the way down so we were pointing well but I was a little miffed when a big catamaran ripped past us pointing almost as high. Still we made Bequia early afternoon and dropped the hook amongst some familiar hulls in the anchorage.

UNION ISLAND CLIFTON FRIGATE AND CHATAM BAY then TOBAGO CAYS

Julie and I will be sailing up to Bequia on Monday. We have had a great few days in Union Island then the Tobago Cays.

More pics to follow!

CREW RETURNS AND WE GO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON IN WINDWARD

Julie is back onboard with the eye scare something that is still serious but not immediately sight threatening so that is good news.

After a couple of days tidying up the boat we had a day off and headed over to Windward to see what was going on boat building wise.

We found that Alwyn Enoe had just launched his 'last' boat and they were working on the mast and other fittings. It has his trademark turn to the top corners of the stern and looks fast.

It was heartening to see a small boatyard on the beach with a number of guys working on wooden boats.

I am not sure what this one is going to be maybe an island trader.

This one has good artwork though.

Julie was taking lessons in ' liming ' with the locals lubricated in the locals case with some Jack Iron.






We are off tomorrow for a jolly round to Sandy Island and a chance to relax on the beach.

Got splashed on Saturday with the yard boys and Edwyn working like Trojans. We were no 4 of 5 boats.

Julie who had arrived to crew for me for the season and do some serious snorkeling had also been working like a Trojan cleaning up the boatyard dust and my casual packing ideas.

We relaxed with a sundowner as we settled in to our anchor spot just off the Lazy Turtles.

However our laidback Saturday morphed into a rather frantic Sunday as Julie decided with the help of Mr Google that the peculiar vision disturbances she was dealing with was likely to be wet macular degeneration, a serious eye condition, and one which requires rapid treatment to stop any further deterioration.

We established the there was an eye clinic in Grenada who might be able to deal with the problem, failing that there was a Virgin Atlantic flight back to the UK with space, there was nothing available by air back to Grenada from Carriacou except standby on Monday and Julie got through to her insurers to find out the protocols for further action.

The standby by seat was available but the small twin engine plane was already at max take off weight.

So it was onto the slow ferry down to Grenada which would get her in to St Georges in time to be seen by the eye clinic on Monday.


I had casually quipped earlier about the Amelia having had several breakdowns and being towed in so we both are keeping our fingers crossed that she makes it today.

BACK IN THE BEST LITTLE BOATYARD IN THE CARIBBEAN

After a weeks delay I was hauled on Sunday. The yard has had some issues with their one and only travel lift.

Edwyn did his usual careful job of ensuring that the straps are in exactly the right places, there is only a 2 inch tolerance on the rear strap.

It was not all good though as the Sunday dock boy let the bow get away from him while turning the boat and badly scuffed my topsides. Also he broke the weld on my pulpit stanchion trying to keep the boat under control.I will fix the weld but hope Edwyn will come up with a gelcoat whizz to match my topsides.

I got some help with the prep as working right under the boat kills my back nowadays. But it all went well and I got the first coat this afternoon Wednesday the 4th.

I have used the same make of anti fouling for several years but last years basically fell off in the high splash zones as you can see.

However the manufacturers came up with some free tins of the liquid gold so I guess they are making good.

Anyway Elephants Child has a blue bottom again and gets another coat tomorrow.

All I have to worry about is the yard mechanic who has been absent all week. Problems with his own boat I hear.