Grenada 6 February 2024
It was another windy night and we moved around quite a bit in the night but at least the anchor held. We had breakfast and all prepared ourselves for the sail to Grenada some 30 miles or so. The forecast was for underlying winds of 20 kts but with gusts up to 24/25 kts so not an issue. After breakfast we upped the anchor and headed off. We put say 3 reefs in the main and put the staysail out.
The wind was quite strong (20-25kts) but with our sail plan it was so effortless for Stormbird and were sailing along about 8-8.5 kts on average and headed to the west side of Ilse de Ronde which has an exclusion zone on that side due to volcanic activity and you are not allowed to enter the zone. We skirted past this and began to move down the west side of Grenada which was a large Island and bigger than any Island we had been to on this trip. At first the lee of the Island did not seem to make much difference to the wind but as time went on the wind became fickle and moved around quite a bit. It also varied in strength and one moment you had 10-12 kts and the next 23-26 kts – it was difficult to deal with and the wind was coming down the mountains.
We had pulled the dinghy up on the davits the night before and had managed to get a berth in the Port Lois Marina in Grenada thanks to Carolyn and Joyce who join as new crew soon and who had come a few days early and who had enquired at the marina. As the mooring was stern (back) to we needed to get the dinghy out of the way and not on the davits as we had to walk off the back of the boat using our passarelle (walkway). This would mean bringing the engine up and putting it on a bracket on the back and putting the dinghy on the deck in front of Puffin. I also did not want to get to the marina too early and I suspected the crew might like to have a swim. As we were headed to St Georges on Grenada (its capital) I found an anchorage a little North near Halifax Bay where we could go. We sailed near to this bay and then put the sails down and motored in and after two attempts (the first being too shallow) we were anchored. We got the engine off the dinghy and put it on its bracket on the stern. We then hauled the dinghy up on to the deck in 20 + kt winds which was a challenge but we succeeded and laid it on the deck between Puffin and the staysail.
We had a quick sandwich and then had a quick swim which was refreshing and appreciated by all. We then started to motor toward St Georges and initially the wind seemed great and in the right direction so we put the sails up. Then it kept changing from 12 kts to 27 kts and so after a few large gusts we put the sails away. We the motored into the harbour and we were asked to wait near the marina so that they could come out to help us. Our instructions were to provide two long lines to the marina guy in his dinghy and to reverse round a yacht and reverse to the quay without hitting the superyacht in front. The front lines were somehow attached to lines underwater. I reversed in well and the stern lines were taken and whilst doing this David and Cari sorted out the front lines. We were here and sorted ourselves out. There was no electricity to start with but David rinsed down the decks so Stormbird was feeling more comfortable. I could not check in as the electricity was off but it came back later.
Simon prepared a lovely chili supper and we had some drinks initially. Ian had to leave Stormbird after his long stint since the end of December. It has been great to have him on board. Nothing ever phases him and he always helps and gets stuck in. He will be sorely missed.
Carolyn and Joyce who are due to join shortly came for drinks and then stayed for supper. It was Carolyn’s birthday so I hope she enjoyed the evening. We had a great supper and there was lots of chat. Carolyn and Joyce left and everyone went to bed. I write this with a nice breeze blowing and I can hear the music from a number of restaurants and bars nearby. Time for bed.
Grenada is 340 sq. km and has a population of some 102,000. It was discovered by Columbus on his third voyage in 1498. It has been fought over for many years by the French and British but became independent in 1974. It is a spectacular beautiful Island with lush green mountains, lush green waterfalls, golden beaches and fragrant spice tress which give it its name Island of Spice.
We look forward to exploring tomorrow.
The blog will continue as we explore the Caribbean further and beyond.
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