A slow start to the day for the boys after the birthday celebrations the night before. Unfortunately not the great Thanksgiving Feast that their families would have given them if they were still home (and I'm sure that thought crossed their mind..). We recognize that Jimmy is very lucky to have friends that will give up their Thanksgiving to help us out. We did offer turkey sandwiches (from a pack...) No takers.. Jimmy cooked a great chicken stew..
By about 1pm we were leaving the marina, chicken rotis take away for lunch, and on our way to Martinique. Nice wind direction this time (just wish we had more of it ...) Dark fell as we started the passage between Martinique and Dominica - we went up the windward side of Dominica for the first time. This allowed us to sail, rather than motor. By 7.30am, 19 hours later we were anchoring in the lovely anchorage of Les Saintes.
First stop - the bakery for croissants and fresh french bread.
Then some boat jobs, and then renting scooters to explore one of our favourite islands. 5 of us on 3 scooters - Jimmy had to come on the back of my scooter as he couldn't drive with his arm, which did mean he had to jump off and walk up a couple of steep hills.
An early start the next morning (after the obligatory visit to the bakery to stock up with croissants and hot french bread) - we sailed the 90 miles from Les Saintes, up the coast of Guadeloupe and across the passage to Antigua, arriving at our "home" for the next few weeks, late Saturday evening after covering just under 400 miles from Trinidad. Thanks to Barry and Tommy for helping us with this trip and for putting up with us!!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Grenada to St Lucia November 23rd - 25th
We left Grenada Monday morning, after a few jobs and a quick stop at Prickly Bay to check out of customs and immigration. Then another stop part way up the coast of Grenada to snorkel the underwater statues. We motored up the leeward coast. Wind was about 15-20 knots from the east which meant we had to motor sail across to Carriacou. We carried on through part of the Southern Grenadine islands and stopped just before dark at the small island of Mayreau. We had covered only 45 miles of the approximately 300 miles from Grenada to Antigua.
A fairly early start on Tuesday to do the 90 miles from Mayreau to St Lucia. Soon we were settled into the 4 watch routine (with others reading / sleeping / watching movies). We were able to sail a lot more of this trip. We went through the Grenadine Islands, up the leeward coast of St Vincent, across the 30 mile passage to St Lucia, up the coast of St Lucia and arrived in Rodney Bay shortly before midnight, with all eyes on deck checking for any unlit anchored boats in the bay. Winds averaged about 20 knots - we had 2 reefs in the main and the boat handled it well.
Very soon Tommy was put to work - part of the stitching on the jib was coming loose where the jib sheets attach. Armed with a sail sewing kit, he was sent up on deck, while we were sailing.
A little latter, Jimmy noticed the jib furling line had got caught under the furler. Another job for Tommy ... my words to him "you will get wet" - this was an underestimation as the bow ploughed into the seas.
Wednesday morning we went into the marina and had a day off (well off sailing - Jimmy was cracking the whip as fuel was transferred and the boat was scrubbed clean (taking advantage of the flowing water)). It was Tommy's birthday so Charlotte baked a birthday cake in the morning. 
By about 4pm, jobs were finished and we were able to enjoy the marina pool. That night the boys hit the town to celebrate the birthday boy.
Thursday - no biggy for the Brits on board, but a big celebration for the 3 American boys - Thanksgiving. with no turkey on board we headed off for another long day of sailing
A fairly early start on Tuesday to do the 90 miles from Mayreau to St Lucia. Soon we were settled into the 4 watch routine (with others reading / sleeping / watching movies). We were able to sail a lot more of this trip. We went through the Grenadine Islands, up the leeward coast of St Vincent, across the 30 mile passage to St Lucia, up the coast of St Lucia and arrived in Rodney Bay shortly before midnight, with all eyes on deck checking for any unlit anchored boats in the bay. Winds averaged about 20 knots - we had 2 reefs in the main and the boat handled it well.
Very soon Tommy was put to work - part of the stitching on the jib was coming loose where the jib sheets attach. Armed with a sail sewing kit, he was sent up on deck, while we were sailing.A little latter, Jimmy noticed the jib furling line had got caught under the furler. Another job for Tommy ... my words to him "you will get wet" - this was an underestimation as the bow ploughed into the seas.
By about 4pm, jobs were finished and we were able to enjoy the marina pool. That night the boys hit the town to celebrate the birthday boy.Thursday - no biggy for the Brits on board, but a big celebration for the 3 American boys - Thanksgiving. with no turkey on board we headed off for another long day of sailing
Grenada - November 17th-23rd November
Our initial time in Grenada was spent sorting out the boat for the survey - all went well although the wind decided to blow over 25 knots for the sea trial, when we had to sail with full main and jib. The out of water survey was delayed til Saturday after a Caribbean misunderstanding "oh you mean this Thursday" when I called up to reconfirm the day before...
Tommy arrived Friday evening to join the crew with his usual abundance of energy. We enjoyed some social events in Grenada that weekend - a pot luck BBQ and karaoke at a marina on Saturday night (where ALL of the Heat wave crew participated) and the regular Sunday afternoon beach BBQ on Hog island. Charlotte got to have a play date with Jade (who she knew from last year on Wild Vanilla) and they also spent the Sunday afternoon on Hog Island playing for hours with bits and pieces found on the beach - who needs fancy toys??
We got to meet up with a lot of cruising friends for a quick hello and good bye before heading north early Monday morning.
Tommy arrived Friday evening to join the crew with his usual abundance of energy. We enjoyed some social events in Grenada that weekend - a pot luck BBQ and karaoke at a marina on Saturday night (where ALL of the Heat wave crew participated) and the regular Sunday afternoon beach BBQ on Hog island. Charlotte got to have a play date with Jade (who she knew from last year on Wild Vanilla) and they also spent the Sunday afternoon on Hog Island playing for hours with bits and pieces found on the beach - who needs fancy toys??We got to meet up with a lot of cruising friends for a quick hello and good bye before heading north early Monday morning.
Trinidad October 24th - November 17th 2009
Jimmy went down earlier to labour in a hot sweaty boat yard, to get the boat ready to put back in the water. Once Charlotte and I arrived, we launched the boat, went into a marina and Jimmy had a quick flight up to NY to sort out his necessary surgery to his arm after falling off the ladder in the boat yard and injuring his rotary cuff.
During our week in Trinidad, Charlotte got a chance to meet up with Ryan ("Trini boyfriend" who had spent some time in Bermuda over the summer) for a play date.
After an overnight flight, Barry was quickly put to work when he arrived in Trinidad, helping us with the final jobs before leaving Trinidad.
We left at first light, for our 80 mile trip to Grenada, with dolphins playing at the bow of the boat. The timing was perfect with the tides out of the "Mouth of the Dragon" and we managed to have a couple of knots of current with us for the first half of the trip. Conditions were great, 15 knots of wind from the south east. We had anticipated not getting in til after dark, but made it in about 10 hours, arriving in Grenada at about 4.30pm, in time for cocktails on the trampoline, BBQ dinner and all asleep by 9pm!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Start of sailing season 2009/10 Trinidad - Deja Vu
Deja Vu .... we started last sailing season with Charlotte's arm in a cast after she fell off a wall. This season, on November4th, Jimmy fell off the ladder in the boat yard in Trinidad and hurt his arm...After a couple of trips to the doctors in Trinidad, a whirlwind trip to see the surgeon and MRI in New York, (just after Charlotte and I arrived in Trinidad) he is now scheduled for surgery for his rotary cuff on December 7th. So we are now on a fast track up to Antigua, where he will fly out of to have the operation, leaving Charlotte and I on the boat. Hopefully he won't damage it any more on the way. Tommy and Barry (2 more retired FDNY) are flying down to do the trip with us, with Jimmy barking orders.
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