ISLAND OF DOMINICA

We anchored in the large Prince Rupert Bay by the town of Portsmouth. Our favourite beachside bar is no longer any good. Sandy who was the power behind the business has dropped out and will open a new bar further along the beach.
We found the area a bit tiresome. Locals accost you a lot of the time. Their attitude is not pleasant as they are usually inebriated or high on drugs.
Many people love Dominica which is strange because there are other much nicer destinations along the Windward and Leeward islands.

SAINT PIERRE FROM SAINT ANNE

After leaving St Anne we arrived in St Pierre up on the North west corner of Martinique. This is a difficult bay to anchor in because of the depth of water. The `shelf`for anchoring is very narrow and the currents are erratic. However we had no problem this time.

RODNEY BAY TO MARTINIQUE

Saint Anne on the island of Martinique is a very pleasant place to anchor although very crowded. From the town of St Anne you can get to the shops and chandlers in Le Marin on a very inexpensive bus. Being a French territory the shops are full of  home French products so it was here that we bought salmon, champagne and fois gras for our Christmas.

BEQUIA TO RODNEY BAY

We had a radar problem so we had arranged to visit the local technicians in Rodney Bay Marina. On arrival we initially anchored in the bay then we entered the lagoon and marina and docked on J14 pontoon. We enjoyed our stay especially since it was at the same time as the famous ARC arrivals (ARC is Atlantic Rally for Cruisers). It was fun watching the arrivals and there were celebrations and parties to abundance.
Here we also met up with old friends in Aztec Dreams who were in the marina for repairs to their water maker.

TYRELL TO BEQUIA

Tyrell Bay is a nice stop but necessary for the "check out" of the Grenada. Its rather a crowded place because of the many "live aboard" people and the fact that its a mid point between Grenada and Saint Vincent and the beautiful Tobago Cays. There is a good pizza restaurant called the `Lazy Turtle`.
However the best place in the area is Bequia, our next stop after Tyrell. With its large bay, amazing restaurants and pleasant walks it surpasses many other destinations for sheer pleasure and recreation.

Sunset view of Bequia Bay

SAILING FROM GRENADA TO TYRELL BAY ON CARRIACOU

We sailed from Grande Anse up the West coast of Grenada, right over the underwater volcano called "kicking Jenny" and dropped anchor in Tyrell Bay , Carriacou.

LEAVING WOBURN BAY

On the 13 November we sailed out of Woburn Bay and into the Grande Anderson bay just outside Saint George Town. This was our first sail and the beginning of our season of cruising.

Next destination Tyrell Bay.
Woburn is one of the many sheltered bays along the South coast of Grenada that are a favourite destination of yachters that need shelter from the elements, store their boats ashore, and generally live long term on their vessels. A nice enthusiastic community has evolved with entertainment and facilities.

WAITING FOR OUR SAILS TO BE REPAIRED

We had to wait at anchor in Woburn Bay for our sails to be repaired. I also had to replace the Genoa roller which involved some complicated 'standing rigging' work.
Woburn is an interesting bay. On one hand its poluted with the run-off from the Clarks Court rum distilerie and on the other hand its quiet and there is a very nice Restaurant at Whisper Cove.

LAUNCH DAY

After nearly a week of cleaning, painting, scrubbing..We launched KWANZA.

The crew in Clarks Court are very skilled and we had full confidence in them. They used the versatile 'trailer' that's designed to enter the water with the boat..

START OF A NEW SAILING SEASON IN THE CARIBBEAN, October 27 2016

The hurricane season ends at the end of November so we arrived in Grenada to put our yacht 'KWANZA' back in the water.
Putting a yacht back in is not a simple task.! There is lots of preparation work to take care of and of course the cleaning of all the dust, mildew and general depreciation the yacht suffers during the long and very hot months of summer in the Caribbean.

A quiet evening before we stated the work of getting KWANZA ready for launch

OUR BEST MEMORIES OF 2016 CRUISING IN THE CARIBBEAN

While we wait out the hurricane season, we would like to reflect on some of the "best" memories of our cruising in 2016, between Antigua and Grenada.

THE BEST BAY was Anse du Bourg, in Les Isle des Saintes.
Why?... Because the water was so clear, the islands were small and the town was very interesting.

THE BEST ANCHORAGE was the Anse de Vieux Fort on the island of Marie Galant.
Why.?  Because it was very remote, the shore walks were in dense jungle, and the water was crystal clear.

THE BEST RESTAURANTS. Here we have a dilemma. There was an excellent restaurant on the island of Antigua called 'Catherine's' Cafe Plage.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147244-d1913617-r253513397-Catherines_Cafe_Plage-English_Harbour_Saint_Paul_Parish_Antigua_Antigua_and_Barb.html

There were several restaurants on the islands of Les Saints which were excellent. We probably vote the latter as being better because the prices were reasonable and the choice was amazing.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g2456453-d2459406-Reviews-Au_bon_vivre-Iles_des_Saintes_Guadeloupe.html

Catherine's Cafe Plage on Pigeon Beach Antigua.

Restaurant Au Bon Vivre

Restaurant Ti Kaz La

The garden of Au Bon Vivre

THE BEST BEACH BAR was on the island of Dominica in Prince Rupert Bay (Portsmouth). it was called 'Sandy's Bar'. Right on the beach with its own dinghy jetty. A perfect place for cold drinks, freshly made food, and sublime views over the bay.

THE BEST MARINA was Le Marin on the island of Martinique.
The reason we vote this the best was based on the comfort of the location. It was very well sheltered and the facilities available were some of the best in the islands. A good selection of restaurants with live music and happy hour deals.

BEST DIVING (SNORKELLING), was definitely in the Tobago Cays. The turtles were tame, the stingrays docile and the reef fish abundant.

RAISING KWANZA FOR THE HURRICANE SEASON, 2nd June 2016

We had done extensive research to find a suitable storage 'boat yard', and had concluded that Clarks Court was suitable. Although this yard is very new and the facilities are not up to standard we estimated that they were dynamically trying to please their customers in order to get into the market.
The choice of yard was restricted by our insurance to the area south of '15 degrees North of the equator'.
The lift out was on schedule at 10.30 am on the morning of the 2nd June. The travel lift lifted her out and the trailer was used to position her in a selected position on the 'hard'.

The giant travel lift called the 'Hulk'

out she comes from the murky Clarks Court bay water

transferred to the trailer

in position. Yard manager on the left..

that's it .!

PREPARING KWANZA FOR STORAGE AND ENJOYING GRENADA

Before putting Kwanza ashore for the 5 months we had a lot of chores to do. For example the sails had to be inspected and removed. We talked to the local sail shop and arranged a date for the repairs. After the 'crossing' we had a few tears and worn points which needed sewing. The water maker had to be 'pickled'. The running rigging removed and cleaned. All clothes and material items had to be 'bagged' to prevent mould, etc.
However we found time during the week to enjoy a few of the benefits of the area. On one occasion we joined the local Hash House Harriers of Grenada. What a laugh that was. A few photos are following.   http://www.grenadahash.com/home

Ropes were all washed and dried

Sundown at the local beach bar

HAPPY HOUR !

Flame trees

Attending the local Hash House Harrier meeting

The Hash ceremony after the run

Some unfortunates had to suffer punishment in good humour