Sail and Bail



 

 Jim calls it the Sail and Bail.

It's better known as the Grenada Work Boat Regatta, held each February off Grand Anse Beach.

 We arrive early in the day so we can rent beach chairs and get our favorite spot in the shade of a huge almond tree.  We are in the perfect spot to view the start, finish and all the action in between.  We are also in strolling distance to great local food and cold beer.

 

It's a lot of work getting these beauties ready to sail.

 

 

The start is amazing!

The crew holds the boat in the swell at the edge of the beach. 

One crew member must wait on shore for the starting gun and then run down the beach and jump in the boat.  Everyone scrambles in and they're off.

We love these races!

 



 

The wind died right as this boat was coming past the marker at the finish.

I think these guys willed their boat through.  They were so tense!

They just managed to drift through on the right side of the mark!



 

 Bigger wind in the afternoon combined with rain showers, 

adding some challenges on the first day of racing.

 The Grenada Coast Guard was close by,

 cruising in one of three boats gifted to them by the United States.

 

Caribbean Work Boats.

What a Beast, I mean Blast!

 

 

 

Dinghy Dancing

Dinghy concerts were a highlight of the holiday season for cruisers along the south coast of Grenada.

There were 2 distinctly different concerts in Clark's Court Bay, the island sounds of a steel pan band and the second, a blue-grass/country sound.  You didn't need a dinghy to enjoy them.  We arrived via taxi, then water taxi where we were dropped off at the barge complete with benches for seating comfort and a bar for, well, more comfort!

The Wizards Pan Band.

 John and Jim get us a couple of cold ones from the bar.

Susie from S/V Spirited Lady getting up to dance.

Her boat is aptly named.

 Steve of S/V Starshine.

 The Grenada Chocolate Recipes.

 Geoff (S/V Beach House) gets some video and a great view from his dinghy.

 We were thrilled to catch a ride back to the marina aboard Raindancer, a beautiful wooden sloop. 

Check out these youtube videos of the 2 concerts and you'll see why these concerts are so much fun.
If you look carefully you'll even catch a glimpse of us.

10^th dingy concert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaDutbubxUU

11^th dingy concert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMhDe-tfUOs

A Grenadian Holiday

We enjoyed another wonderful holiday season in Grenada.

A walk around Prickly Bay showed homes displaying their Christmas decorations. 

Bruce and Gina showed their holiday spirit.  They are on the Australian catamaran "Wyuna."

Christmas day was spent with good friends John and Linda aboard "Kool Kat."  

We started with mimosas, bloody mary's and appetizers and just continued eating and drinking our way through the day.  There was lobster and ham, countless side-dishes and a banana-rum cake for dessert.

It was a feast!

Gina (Wyuna), our host John and Joe (Half Moon) take a break from the feasting.

That's Bruce (Wyuna) with Gina and John.

Jim and Becky (Half Moon).

The festivities continued on Boxing Day with the 5th Annual Cruiser's Pot Luck and Music Jam.

Linda and I did the organizing again this year and this is us thanking everyone who participated.

We had a great crowd and a very talented group of musicians.  Special thanks to all the cruisers who shared their talents with us.  It was a great day.

New Year's Eve or as it's called here, Old Year's Night.

Rikky at De Big Fish always throws a great party.

 Here we are with our friends...........

 Hope and Steve (Starshine).......

 Linda and John (Kool Kat).........

 and Joe and Becky (Half Moon).

Thanks to our hosts Kim, Rikky and their staff.  They treat us like family.

Surrounding Christmas and New Years were many fun events like concerts, pot lucks, dinner with friends and more.  Hope your holiday was equally as wonderful!

Merry Christmas

 

Have a wonderful holiday everyone!