It was lovely to relax in Charlotteville, Tobago. Valentina
had broken a hatch cover on their trip and left after a day or two buy a
replacement in Trinidad. The next day, Marion and Connor on Toucan arrived.
They completed their circumnavigation in Grenada. We had seen them last in Cape
Town and their route had taken them directly to St Helena and then to ports in
Brazil. It was good to meet up and compare our experiences.
The week passed quickly. We topped up with water from the
dock, but there was no diesel in Charlotteville as the tanker drivers had
refused to take their vehicles over the mountain. They had no confidence in the
private company that services the tankers. Off we sailed for an overnight
passage to Grenada, downwind for 87 miles. The wind was strong and the swell
was quite big, but not too uncomfortable. Hydrovane struggled to steer a
straight course, so when I saw a white light ahead it was hard to say whether
we were on a collision course or not. When I saw two white lights I knew it was
a BIG ship. I was relieved to see a red navigation light and judged it would
pass my stern. I shone the spotlight at it to make sure we could be seen. I
should have called on the VHF because 5 minutes later I saw red and green
navigation lights which seemed to be as far apart as a football field. I realised
the big ship was bearing down on my port side. I shouted for Jeremy, who was
asleep below. He came up quickly, started the engine, furled the poled out
genoa and we turned away. The huge silhouette of an oil tanker passed by within
a quarter of a mile. Phew! Panic over, but that was a close call.
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| All dressed up for a night on the town |
We checked in at Prickly Bay Marina in Grenada. My sister,
Pat, flew in from the Isle of Man leaving snow and ice behind and enjoying hot
and sunny weather here. She had just retired from work, following a very
difficult year, so we were determined to give her the break she deserved in the
Grenada group of islands. The Trade Winds were stronger than usual with gusts
up to gale force at times, but Pat proved to be an excellent sailor. All those
rough Irish Sea crossings on the ferry must have prepared her well.
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| Strange fish |
We went to all our favourite haunts – Isle de Ronde for
snorkelling, Carriacou (Hillsborough, Sandy Island, Tyrell Bay, Anse la Roche) and
Petite Martinique. We were surprised to find a three masted tall ship anchored
off Anse la Roche and lots of naked men on the beach. No women at all. The 10
day holiday ended with two nights in Clarkes Court Bay, anchored off Whisper
Cove Marina. Pat enjoyed a meal out at the Little Dipper and the afternoon BBQ
at Roger’s beach bar at Hog Island.
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| Tea aboard Sal Darago |
Yesterday, we took Pat to the airport and now she is back in
dear, cold England. We leave for Trinidad tomorrow afternoon (Wed 10th
April). Sal Darago is due to be hauled out at Powerboats yard on 17th
April and we fly home to the UK on 22nd April. We’ll keep in touch
with the occasional blog. All being well, we return to Trinidad in late
November.
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| Sunset over White Island, Carriacou |
