I was up early and since I haven’t been able to futz around doing boat chores with Donald this year, I found some of my own to partake. Trying not to wake the others, I worked on replacing a plexiglass covers protecting the ignition switches which was broken in the Med when some errant jib sheets were flailing around. Wow, what a difference clear plexiglass makes, will have to replace the other one too, next time I get motivated.

Christine worked out on the bow, while Wayne checked some emails: a nice relaxing morning. We were the second boat to leave Sandy Island as we were anxious to head to the Underwater Sculpture gardens off the shore of Grenada as our initial destination.

Wind sorta clocked around a bit and were running 120+ degrees off our direction, that means the wind was behind us. So with our newly fixed spinnakers it was time to see what they looked like.

First up, the small one, just because it was the one that was really blown out in the crossing, and I wanted to make sure that it wasn’t tangled up in the sock as we had to stuff it back in after picking it up from the St Lucia Sail Loft. She went up without issues, the newly patched line across the kite fully visible but holding air in pretty light air, 10 knots.

30 mins of that with still relatively light air, we took her down and out came “big bertha” as Christine affectionately named her on the Atlantic trip. The 2 small sock burns were repaired with brand new panels and she flew big and strong. We cleared the island and ended up with close to 22knots of wind, so 10-12 apparent on the sail and 10 on boat speed. Nice good sailing day, running mostly 120 off the wind, down to Grenada. Wayne was properly introduced to Big Bertha and Christine sunned on the tramps and regaled crossing stories with her favorite sail.

Bacon and Huevos Borachos for the crew breakfast just after we got the sails up and were underway. Wayne adjusted the sails and I made breakfast while we ran one engine to make electricity for the water maker. When both tanks reached 1/2 full, about 1/2 the trip, we shut the engine down for some peace and quiet sailing @ 10 knots.

Snacks just before we found a mooring ball, then a sammich with our fresh lunch meats from an awesome deli in Carriacou called Patty’s deli (exit the dock, turn right, head down the street about 1/8 mile, on right), complete with Boars Head trimmings and a semi fresh baggett. Thanx to Laurie (Cat Tales) and Paula (Magique) for the great tip on Pattys deli! Then we went snorkeling and exploring.

Grand Mal Bay (close to Dragon Bay,m just North of St George’s Bay) – Great place! Mooring balls in the next cove over, day mooring balls for the dingy – not in any of our guides, but nice fun snorkel, if a little bit cloudy. Fun sculpture and lots of fish as its also a marine park. All in about 10-30 feet of water, we were the only ones here this morning, then some local dive boats stared to show up. Pretty amazing sculptures from mermaids to 15+ heads to 15+ bodies, whale tail, to dozen or so masks – amazing that they they could be incorporated into marine life.

We had decisions to make, but decided to just chill here for the evening, its pretty secluded. We can see one tanker type boat in the harbor and some local homes on the hill that haven’t been completed yet, so its not the most idealistic spot, but only 2 other boats located far away from us.

Wayne made some blender drinks, the internet is available so a real pleasant place to be facing the Caribbean ocean, and sunset on the bow later as we are facing West.

please come visit