One tropical wave after another has passed us and every day we had to do the rain shuffle, one of us running down below closing the hatches while the other ran around in the cockpit closing up the cockpit and moving everything out of way to stay dry. Actually just before one of those shuffles we noticed a trail of ants and with reading glasses on we followed the trail. Fortunately there were only about 20 ants and we found where the rest was hiding or rather living, hopefully no more ants. So if you ever wonder what we do out here, now you know we follow ant trails and do the rain shuffle. In the mean time we had left Prickly Bay and sailed back to the Lagoon. Not even there for one minute we both jumped ship, Sid went to get Diesel and I for provisions.
1 ½ hours later we were on our way out the Lagoon and planned on anchoring the very next bay north of St. George's but as we saw a huge ship holding natural gas we decided that this anchorage was not such a good idea, don't like to sit next to a time bomb. 3 miles past the gas bomb we found the most incredible little bay. We were sure that it would be full as there is only enough room for 2 boats 3 max, but nobody was there. We looked at each other wondering what could be wrong with this anchorage. Three days later we figured out the possibilities:
1. There is NO Wifi here so no cruisers will stay not being able to use Skype.
2. Too remote from shopping, restaurants, boat stores and buddy boats.
3. It's a bit rolly.
4.
Neither one of these points mattered to us not even the rolly part as our flopper stoppers again came in handy.
What a most delightful anchorage, a rounded bay surrounded with rocky shore line in the middle it opens to a steep to beach with a few palm trees and lots of lush trees. Above the rocky shore are steep hills lush overgrown with all kind of different trees. Behind the beach the scene was just incredibly beautiful, lush rolling hills with beautiful colored homes and yet behind them tall rain forest mountains. It looked so very tropical especially with coco palms scattered between the lush foliage. The sunsets were incredible on one side the sun lighting up the beach, rolling hills and mountains with the last rays and to the opposite the sun slowly disappearing on the horizon. While sitting on deck watching the night take over the gentle breeze engulfed Paradise with the scent of wild blooming Jasmine. Life can't get any better than this. The water was pretty clear as well and the snorkeling was pretty OK. We loved this little Paradise we found to ourselves. We did do the rain shuffle a lot here and we figured out that the mountain makes its own clouds but it never really rained hard and if just for a few minutes. The clouds just seem to fizzle out as they came closer to the water.
After three beautiful days and lots of reading we pulled anchor and headed north towards the Grenadines an island group just 14 miles north of the north end of Grenada. We were about 6 miles from the end of the island when the wind picked up and now blew over 20 knots and of course right on the nose, stopping us with every second wave crashing into our bow we decided it was not time yet to head north and turned around and set anchor again in our little Paradise Dragon Bay.
The following day early before the wind got out of bed we snuck out of the bay and headed north for another try. Just as we arrived at the end of the island the wind started to blow at about 10 to 15 knots, not bad, just what we needed. Between Grenada and Carriacou one of the Grenadine Islands there are a few islands with no anchoring possibilities and 2 miles west from them is an underwater volcano "Kick em Jenny", still active and you HAVE to pass this one with at least 2 miles on either side. We headed towards the island with the no anchorages when the current changed. Now this is another thing to watch out for, when the tide heads east there is a current up to 1 knot but if the current is going westbound it can be as much as 2.5 knots and sure enough we did get the 2.5 knots which would have brought us right over Kick em Jenny. We changed course of course and went around the volcano to the west. From here on the ride got wilder and wilder as the current was running into the wind making it Mr. Toads Wild Ride. Luckily it was only 14 miles to go and about 9 miles out of Carriacou the lee effect of the island took over and smoothed out the water. I'm sure Tika was tickled pink over that, poor kitty. We did the 31 miles in 6 1/2 hours and set anchor in the midst of at least 100 boats in Tyrell Bay in Carriacou. It took us a while to find a spot to drop the anchor as there was a very few big enough wholes between all the boats. We anchored right next to a fender which told us that someone was using this spot. The water was crystal clear with the color of light to dark blue or turquoise depending on the depth, beautiful but a bit crowded. On our way here we noticed an oily substance on the cabin sole next to the engine box, which turned out to be anti-freeze from the engine and the tack meter went out a couple of times, so Sid has some work ahead of him. Just after we had anchored the halyard of the main came loose and the wind blew it dangerously close to Maxine our wind generator. With the boat hook and a couple of tries Sid outsmarted the wind and halyard and fixed the problem, what a guy.
Since we left the Lagoon I had no way of doing email as for some reason we can not send email out via our ham radio so first thing after settling in I opened the computer and tried to catch up with our Blog when Sid yelled down below: "You have no idea who just pulled up the fender next to us, it's a BAR!!!" No way! Sure enough as I popped my head out the hatch I see this modified powerboat next to us and written on it was: Lady D Bar open 10 am till late plus phone number and what a better name than "Hallelujah" could they have named the boat! Around 4.30 pm we jumped in the water to cool off and noticed our neighbor pulling along side the bar in their dinghy getting on board and sitting down at the table. After asking if the bar was open we swam over there and joined them for a few drinks. Out of all the places to anchor we found the prime spot right next to the floating bar. I think tomorrow we'll just let the chain out and raft with them LOL. The drinks lasted until sunset then we swam back to the boat where I prepared a good dinner and before snoozing off Sid said: "I bet you it's gonna rain tonight?!" "Nope" was my reply, "I bet you it's not if I loose I cook breakfast, if you loose you will!" Deal. After enjoying my special Sunday coffee Sid prepared I was served a most wonderful bacon, eggs and potato breakfast and to my surprise the bet involved the dishes too. I'm a lucky girl. I think I need to bet him more often LOL. After dishes Sid thinks he fixed the engine problems plus a few other things, let's hope so.
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