Bequia Bound

Sorry for the lapse in updating the blog.  Internet connections do not come as easily as they do in Grenada.

Yes, you read correctly.  We finally left Grenada.  Did you know that you can actually move your boat from place to place when you don't have that big anchor hanging over the side!  Who knew! 

 We left Grenada on February 2nd and headed north.  It felt great to be sailing again.

 Chatham Bay, Union Island was a welcome respite after the hustle and bustle of Grenada.  Clean, clear water, turtles and fish and only a few other boats.

 Here's Jim giving the anchor a check while enjoying a swim.

 With no time to waste it was up-anchor early the next morning and off to Bequia.  Our weather window was short and we needed to keep moving if we were going to make it to St. Lucia to meet our niece by February 13th.  Bequia was bustling at this time of year.  This picture of the anchorage was taken from the balcony of the Gingerbread Hotel.

This is why we love the Grenadines.  We are anchored in about 8 feet of crystal clear water in Admiralty Bay.  The snorkeling is always good here (octopus, eels, puffer fish, lizard fish, angel fish, trunk fish, etc) and we looked forward to doing more while we waited for the weather to improve for our sail to St. Lucia. 

Wining, Dining and Having Fun!

Whew, we thought things were supposed to wind down after New Years.

Not in Prickly Bay, Grenada where the fun continues.

There continues to be live music at De Big Fish with special dinner nights featuring pig roasts or paella.  Whisper Cove had a great night of live music and tapas.  Of course we could just say no and stay home but who can resist the temptation.  Add to that a great group of friends and we are having lots of fun!

Kim and Rikky invited us to their home overlooking Prickly Bay for a pot luck dinner.

The theme was "bring food that is from where you come from."  Our group hailed from Trinidad, England, Jersey (Channel Islands), Canada and the States (Louisiana, Texas, Iowa and Wisconsin).  The meal included enchiladas, ribs, gumbo, beef roast with potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and trifle for dessert.  When you think of Milwaukee, you think Beer, Brats and Cheese.  We couldn't find any Wisconsin brew but we did find Wisconsin sausages and a good assortment of cheese.

 That's Jessie pleading with Greg to drop just a little please!

 Captain Jack saying, "Throw a little my way!"

Thanks to our hosts for a great time!

 The Grenada National Museum in St. George's showcases local entertainment every Friday night. 

 We attended this past Friday and were treated to steel pan music, poetry reading, guitar playing and the most amazing group of drummers.

 The face painting was beautiful, the music incredible.

If you think all we do is play...

 ...here are some of the projects we've tackled since being in Grenada:

Replaced the VHF radio and antenna, masthead light, wind indicator, Skymate system and cabin light that were all fried in the lightening strike.  Replaced a faulty cabin fan, electrical panel light and bilge pump float switch.  Repaired our bimini. Installed a new cord to power our GPS.  Oiled the interior teak.  Scrubbed the boat bottom numerous times!  Last week we took apart the winches to clean and grease them for another year.  That's the definition of cruising:

Boat Maintenance in Exotic Locations!

It's a New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I know we are a few days late with our best wishes but it's been a busy holiday season in Grenada.

We are exhausted!

In the weeks around Christmas and New Years we were out listening to music, eating great food and celebrating with friends.  There is so much to do here!

 We've been listening to jazz, blues, rock, reggae and a Christmas concert.  Here's Doc Adams leading a jam session on Boxing Day.  More then 25 locals and cruisers showed up to perform.

 All the music was great, all the events a lot of fun!

So what's in store for Merengue and her crew in the new year?

Well, for the first time in over 4 years we don't have any plans.

None, nada, zip!

Even in paradise you have to do mundane things like go the dentist and I have appointments that will keep us in Grenada until mid-February.  Then we'll see.  No deadlines to meet, no schedule to keep.

That is kind of the point of this lifestyle, isn't it?

'Tis the Season

It's Christmas in the Caribbean!

Christmas carols have been playing in the stores since early November, light displays adorn the businesses and holiday events are taking place around the islands.

 Santa loves the Caribbean and he can ditch the heavy red suit.

HoHoHo becomes YoHoHo and a bottle of rum!

We're glad to see that our home state is well represented in the local supermarkets.



 Check out the gift packs of Wisconsin cheese and sausage complete with 'You cheddar Not Pout, Crackers Toasting on an Open Fire and Tis the Sausage."

 A wreath to hang on the bow has become a tradition on Merengue.

 Making Bailey pose in embarrassing ways is another tradition!

 Home for the Holidays!

Wherever you spend the holiday, we hope it's a good one.

Merry Christmas from Grenada!

Papillon Sails Away

Last time we were saying goodbye to The Dunstan Family on the S/V Orchid.  Here we are enjoying pizza and ice cream at the Tiki Bar. 

 When cruisers arrive or leave Grenada they announce themselves on the VHF radio cruiser's net.  Alexander and Nicolas did one better when they left and read a poem.  We just received a copy and thought we would share it with you.  Merengue received a mention!

I'm afraid to say it's time to go. Will we be back? I don't believe so.

The med is calling, the Pacific too.

There are just so many places, so many things to do.

But it's been a wonderful chapter in the Orchid crew's life.

We've made so many friends here on this Island of Spice.

Silver Heels III as they took us for a run. (I'm sure they said a hash was supposed to be fun...)

Beachhouse's movies have kept the kids entertained.

Their search and rescue operations returned the Lilly crew safe.

Bocci at the Sandbar with Merengue was fun.

I think it's just an excuse though for Jim to drink Rum.

Papillon are great friends, they're dependable and true.

They don't much like computers, but fortunately we do.

Kamaloha, Xicale, Magnum and Free Spirit,

If there was an honor role of good yachties, they'd all be in it.

It's amazing to find so many in such a short time.

At least boats move so we need not leave them behind.

(Ha!  8 and 9 year olds have figured Jim out!)

 This week it was Colin and Sandy's turn (S/V Papillon).

They are headed to the ABC's, Cartegena, the San Blas Islands, Panama and then down through the Pacific to Australia.  They have a great adventure ahead of them!

 It's hard to say goodbye to the good friends we've made along the way.  It's the down-side to this transient lifestyle.

 The crews of Merengue and Papillon will stay in touch and hopefully connect again.  Who knows?  We've always wanted to visit Australia and with Orchid and Papillon living there we have twice the incentive!

Fair Winds Colin and Sandy!

(for all you boat enthusiasts out there Papillon is a South African built Monte Carlo 43)

Fun with Orchid

Much of our time lately has been spent with friends, trying to fit in dinners and excursions before they head off to destinations north and west.  Matthew, Rachel, Alexander and Nicholas of the S/V Orchid came back to Prickly Bay to visit with all their friends before heading north through the islands.  Alexander and Nicholas received an early Christmas present, a Tinker sailing dinghy and I was looking forward to a ride. 

 Alexander picked me up for a cruise around Prickly Bay.

 Now this is sailing!

 When the wind died, Nicholas offered us tow.

 No Wind!  Time to put some muscle into it!

 Later Alexander stopped over to plant some seeds with Jim.  Both Alexander and Nicholas have been fascinated by the plants growing on Merengue (basil, cayenne peppers and a lemon tree all started from seeds).  They want to have a farm back in Australia when they grow up.  Here's Alexander selecting the seeds.....

 ......and planting them in the jelly-jars that Jim had filled with potting soil.  I know we'll be checking in with Alexander to see how things are growing.

There were many other fun events like dinners on Orchid and Merengue, lunch in town and bocce ball on the beach but we were having too much fun to stop and take pictures.

Alas, all good things must come to an end.  Orchid and crew sailed off a week ago to visit the islands up the chain.  They plan on crossing the Atlantic to spend some time in the Mediterranean before heading back through the Caribbean on their way back to Australia. 

Rachel, Matthew, Alexander and Nicolas - we are not saying goodbye, just see you later!  Miss you!

Carnival Ladies 2011 Calendar

Some of the most popular pictures on the Merengue blog are those that Jim takes at Carnival.  With that in mind, he has put together a calendar of the beautiful ladies of carnival, and they are Beautiful!  Are you looking for that last minute Christmas gift or maybe a gift for yourself?  2011 calendars are available at http://www.cafepress.com/Merengue.