Grenada - Part 2 - 4th-21st June 2010

Life in Grenada continued as though we were living there. A lot of cruisers spend a few weeks, even months in Grenada once hurricane season starts (June) and so we tend to build up more friendships during this time, and meet up again with cruisers we have met along the way. Also there seems to be a lot more social events organised. Charlotte’s friendship with Fynn, (off the boat Meteor) grew stronger with many play dates and sleep overs and there were a few tears when they had to say good bye to each other.

We also enjoyed time with her parents Pat and Nick.

Charlotte went to the local Beacon Junior School for 3 weeks. Every morning the 6.30 alarm call to get up, breakfast and make pack lunch to be on the dock by 7.30 for a lift to school with Fynn and Red. And after school there was home work also!! See her in School uniform:

She was asked to represent the school in a swimming meet and won 3 rosettes.

Jimmy and I took advantage of our newfound freedom and I enjoyed the break from home schooling.

One day we went out fishing with some friends to try and learn how to fish! – they lived on monohulls so very excited about the size of the platform at the back of a catamaran to fish off. We did finally catch a fish – not with our line though!!

Friday night at the Tiki bar became a regular event – there were about 20 kids playing there. A steel band provided entertainment for the 5-7pm happy hour

and then followed up with a live dance band. Wednesday Burger nights at Clarkes Court Bay Marina also became a regular on the social calendar. They would send a bus to come and pick a load of us up from Prickly Bay for the event. Charlotte also did a stint behind the bar!!

One evening we did a trip up to the north of the island to see the turtles laying their eggs. Fascinating. I was unable to get any photos this time but see our blog entry from the same trip a year ago at:

http://heatwave-sailing.blogspot.com/2009/06/turtle-trip-grenada-june-3rd-2009.html

We did a trip back up to Carriacou one weekend – with Charlotte at school we were now on a schedule so had to take advantage of the weekends!

On Saturday 19^th June Steve and Cathy arrived from Bermuda to do the sail with us from Grenada to Curacao. It seemed like the wet season arrived just as they did, with their first 2 days in torrential rain!! On Monday morning we did the last bits and pieces – last minute shopping, filling up our water tanks, moving the life raft to its “Offshore” accessible” position, safety talk from Jimmy, up the mast with the new radar detector...

On Monday 21^st June, over 5 weeks after arriving, we finally left Grenada to sail to Curacao. The plan was to stop at Los Roques, Islas de Aves and Bonaire en-route. The trade winds are predominantly from the east. We were now heading west and finally downwind!!