Boat work

After we parted company with Dawn and Laurie and we headed south back to St Lucia for a boat survey. We can hardly believe it has been five years. But Facebook has a way of keeping track and it 5 years this week since we left St Lucia with a boat sale in our future. The fellow who has done a survey on the boat in the past did it again. He found no issues except some expired flares and a dry fire extinguisher. He asked when the lifelines were due to be replaced and we said shortly when back in Martinique. He gave us the "None too soon look!" But I'll finish that thought in short order. We sat in     St Lucia with all our work done and awaited for a replacement bank card for me. It was coming UPS and arrived very quickly and we were off. Many thanks to our daughter Kendra and BMO. Now when will Brian's card arrive?

The trip to Martinique is usually quite pleasant and this time was no exception. We barely took a wave over the deck and almost salt free. A delight!  After spending a few days out in the bay we had to make our way into Le Marin to have the life line work done. I really do not like the trip of about 2-3 miles because of a lot of reefs and a busy channel. But I decided I would drive the boat in and try to get over my irrational fears. The anchorage was not as busy as usual and we found an excellent place to anchor and all was well. We took all the life lines off and delivered them into the rigger for duplication. They were ready by Friday morning and almost all were a perfect fit. One lower piece was a bit short and he replaced it very quickly. While Brian waited and found more to buy. The boat chandlers here are like none other we have seen. Having the work done here was also a huge saving over the quotes from Grenada and St Lucia. 

The old life lines, using that term is a bit of a stretch. I'm not sure they would have saved anyone if put to the test. 

The new shiny ones. They don't recommend plastic covering any more. 

While we were waiting around in Le Marin we were able to top up the groceries and wine with an easy dingy ride back and forth. We are now well stocked for the next while. There are so many excellent restaurants on the French islands and we checked out a few this past week. 

We are now back out in St Anne waiting for Brian's bank card to be sent via St Lucia. Having it sent here means it goes to France first and then it can only be picked up at the customs office at the airport. Hopefully we will have an another sail boat coming over here to bring it to us and not have to make the trip back. In the mean while we have been dealing with alternator issues for the whole season. I won't get into any details because trust me it will wrong information. Laurie and Brian did a major job on it in early Jan and it has failed again. The wiring is suspect as well as the regulator. But Brian keeps at it. We do have a Honda generator in case of emergency ..... if the batteries went too low to either start the engine or run the windless to anchor. 

The usual flurry of social events are in full swing. We have a birthday party. tonight and another tomorrow thankfully at two different restaurants. Neither of which we have been to this season. 

We plan to head north to Dominica and meet up Dawn and Laurie early Feb. for the last half of the winter. 

This is a Yolle. A tradional sailing vessel from Martinique. Just for fun I believe. 

 Sunset in St Anne.

We have a survey of our own to propose...we really wonder how many are reading the blog these days??? We do post the odd picture on Facebook but could do more. Often it is tough to write a blog thinking ... We really haven't done anything exciting.  Then it is tough to find good enough internet to send it. So let us know by email ...jeffreybs@hotmail.com or on Facebook. Thanks!

Alone Again

We have had the best couple months sailing,exploring,hiking,eating and drinking with my sister Dawn and her husband Laurie on Cat Tales. We have been together since mid Nov and this past Tues we parted company as they headed north and we south. We will reconnect in Feb in Dominica. But for now we are anchored in Rodney Bay, St Lucia, you know when you have spent too long here when you walk through the marina grounds and you know so many people. The boat maintenance guy Vision calls out Welcome Back to St Lucia. It always feels like coming home. We have many friends who arrive after Christmas and we will catch up with them here too. We need to get the boat surveyed for insurance this spring .... Amazing it's our fifth season. 

To back track we spent a month in Martinique the land of great food and cheap wine. Thank goodness we had many taxing hikes to compensate. We spent a great Christmas Day with a group of 30 or so and then some time on the beach. 

This is our salon Christmas morning. 

On a hike around to Point Saline it looks desert like not at all tropical. 

Just a  walk trough the water to continue. It's weird because the water is so clear its hard to tell how deep it is until you're in it. 

 

This is Petite Anse

We had a couple nights in Anse Chaudiere where the water is crystal clear and some excellent snorkelling from the back of the boat. After so many rainy windy days it was a joy to have calm waters. For the first time we saw dolphins frolicking and jumping along side the boat. I have a video but it is to large to post. I'll try to figure how to take a short clip from it. It was very exciting for us. 

After a hike to Petie Anse we took the bus back to the anchorage and the hairpin turns were crazy. This car had to back up to let the bus make the turn. It was a brand new large bus.... too big for the road. Apparently what they get in France all the dependents get too. Never mind the roads were built for mini cars. This one was like our highway busses, brand new (no graffiti or stains on the upholstery and the A/C worked too!).

Dawn and I waiting for Laurie to return from scoping out the next segment of the hike.....for another day. 

Why can't we grow them like this in Canada along the roadside here. 

The World Arc 2017/18 left Rodney Bay at noon today. About 20 boats heading out for 15 months and 26,000 nautical miles. 

We seem to be in Big Boat Bay....haven't seen so many Mega Yatchs in one place for a long time. At night they are lit up brighter than a Christmas tree. Quite lovely to see.