8/15/2016 Liz Ann returned to Grenada and began her boat projects too: made a sailpack for the main so we don't have to haul the cover up and down everytime we raise/lower the sails; made new dinghy chaps, and some throw pillows for the main salon.
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| Getting ready to go back in the water |
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| Cleaning the dinghy before putting on the new chaps |
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| Our new dinghy chaps |
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| Our new sailpack |
9/12/2016 We launched the boat and returned to Mt. Hartman Bay to anchor. Still had lots of boat projects to do such as sewing a new awning for the forward part of the deck and revising the main awning to work with our new lazyjack system. Also made covers for our 6 jerry cans and 4 for a friend who gave us some fabric. Greg installed a washdown pump and the new spreader we had to replace one that was cracked. Liz Ann repaired worn areas on the dodger and re-stitched the sun covers on the jib and staysail. Had to do those sails out on the deck as there wasn't enough room down below. Not many people can say that got sunburned while sewing! It peeled for weeks.
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| Next time I will remember to wear sunscreen when sewing on deck! |
Amid all of this boat project mess, we still found time to have some fun. Secret Harbor Marina refurbished the pool at the top of the hill and we paid the small fee to use it. That gave us access to warm water showers too! What a bargain. We went swimming almost every afternoon at the pool and then got showers. We did get our exercise just getting to the pool: we either walked up a long steep road or walked up 75 stairs and another shorter, steep path. The ability to cool off after working on the boat all day was so worth it! Then we would go back to the boat, have our sundowners and fix dinner. Made the evenings even nicer.
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| Ahhh... Cooling off after a hot day of boat projects |
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| View of the harbor from the pool |
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We met up with some people we had met last year including Henry and Catherine on Mowser, Jo and Gregg on Serenade, Bill and Joanna on Baidarka and Dave on Mythago. We met new friends, Jayne and Paul and Lily on Delphinus and Allen and Diane and Ian on Music. Our friends, Greig and Caroline made it back to Grenada around the end of September and we helped paint the bottom of their boat while they were hauled out.
We had dinner at the Aquarium restaurant with friends Jo and Gregg(Serenade), Dave(Mythago), and Linda and Chris(Troubadour).
We also made it back to the jerk chicken shack one day with Gregg, Fiona and Mark, and Dave. It was a hot walk but the jerk chicken made it worthwhile.
We tried to do the 950th hash but our bus never showed up. But we did manage to get one hike in and it was enough for the entire time we were here. Paul from Delphinus led us on a hike to the top of Mt. Qua Qua and then down to Concord Falls. It was very challenging to say the least. Poor Greg slipped and fell so many times, his shorts were covered in mud. Some areas were very steep and handholds were difficult to find. We were exhausted after the 5 1/2 hour hike and sore for a week. But it was fun anyway.
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| View on the way to Mt. Qua Qua |
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| Dave leads the way to the top |
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| Greg and Paul, before it got so slippery |
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| After falling several times |
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| Concord Falls |
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| Back at the dock after the hike |
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| Farmer's market in Grenville |
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| Our plates were loaded! |
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| Dave was a great chef |
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| Gathering on Hog Island |
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| Roger's Beach Bar |
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| The musicians'stage |
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| Jam session at Roger's beach bar on Hog Island |
Unfortunately, Caroline got sick and she and Greig had to return to Canada for a while. Dave sailed off about 5 days ago to head up to Annapolis and then return to Canada. That leaves us with no buddy boat and a rather nebulous cruising plan. We will leave here tomorrow to head north with a few planned stops and thinking of stopping for the summer in Puerto Rico where we can leave the boat and spend some time at home again next summer. None of that is written in stone, or, as the sailors say, it is written in the sand at low tide.
