We have decided to stay in the Eastern Caribbean for the time being.
From Grenada Northwards, the windward and leeward Islands are completely new territory for us.
After our return to Curacao we left on October 17th for Grenada, where we are due to meet Rowena, Paul and Ralphy for 2 weeks at Christmas. We revisited Bonaire, The Aves, The Roques and Blanquilla. We waited for the right weather window and day sailed. We already had been to these wonderful places therefore the pressure to relax was on.....
Our friends on s/y BlueMarlin joined us in the Aves. We stayed together for a few days, snorkelling and walking.
Yellow and White footed Boobies were busy nesting on deserted Islands. They were very tolerant of us but Chris held a stick to his hat in case of attack.
Self defence mechanism
Usually 1 egg but occasionally 2
After the motor/sailing trip from the Roques to Blanquilla beating into wind and waves with at times a 2 knot current against us, making extremely slow headway, we decided to sail North towards Martinique then turn South to Grenada in the hope of an easier passage. We logged 430 nm for a crow flight journey of 260nm. When we tacked South, about 150 nm from Grenada we realised we had lost steerage and something had happened to the rudder. Often dramas take place in the middle of the night; this was no exception. Thank goodness the auto pilot worked but it was strange not to see the wheel turning. As usual the Captain’s cool headedness came to the fore and soon the sails were set in such a way as not to cause too much strain to the wobbly rudder. I could not resist asking `What happens if the rudder falls off?’ To which Chris replied he would make a temporary one with the spinnaker pole and washboard secured with ropes.
We reached Carriacou (The Island North of Grenada) just before dark and with great relief we anchored behind the other boats in the bay.
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