Monday, November 14, 2016

Spring Cruising 2016: Martinique, St. Lucia, Bequia, Petit St. Vincent, and Grenada

Life is full of surprises, and these Seniors are moving a bit slower publishing blogs.  But it can't be said that we're not having fun. 

There is a test for reading this blog, see if you can figure out how this blog differs!

But whatever you do, wherever you go, be careful to avoid this creature!



From Carriacou we headed north, "yellow flagging" in Bequia, before taking off for St. Lucia.

Relaxing in Marigot Bay, St. Lucia


 
Capella Marigot Bay Resort and Marina offered the quiet ambience and attentive poolside bar service that we needed.

From St. Lucia, we sailed to St. Anne, Martinique where we found sandy beaches and shade...important for us Irish girls.

Look very closely!



 This is one of our favourite signs, found at  Numero 20, Le Marin.
 
,
 



Chocolate Gourmand with Expresso and Vieux Rhum, Numero 20.

Back in St. Anne, Martinique,  Peter re-built his stamina walking the Hill of Stations of the Cross.










 Lovely lunch at the new Sextant Restaurant, Le Marin, Martinique




 After a plesant hike with FOD (Friends of Dennis) along  Martinique's south shore, we rewarded ourselves with a refreshing lunch.

But it is a sailboat, so a-sailing we will go!
We stopped in Marigot Bay again on our return from Martinique.










 Bananas for sale by Santa on a paddle board










Broad Reach Sailing to St. Lucia, perfect conditions.
  
 Watching the sun go down aboard the Charlotte D, as a catamaran enters Marigot Bay, St. Lucia.


Next stop.  Bequia, St. Vincent and the Greandines.
Jack's Bar, Princess Margaret Beach, provided delicious food, drink and views.







The Belmont Walkway


Nice walks and stunning scenery.

Another lovely spot is the Gingerbread Restaurant on the balcony overlooking Admiralty Bay.




We had the opportunity to join the Children's Reading Program organized by Cheryl at the Fig Tree Restaurant.  These children attended each Saturday to improve their reading skills. 

We enjoyed a Caribbean Brunch with local music the next day at the Fig Tree.  I was amazed at the ingenuity of the "mini steel drums" made from tin cans.



                                                            and  there was a banjo!
We enjoyed a pleasant lunch in Bequia with FOD friends, Lance and Suzie.

And we were off to Petit St. Vincent, part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where the water is clear as gin. 




Feeling no pain with a "pain killer".





Fun to watch the crab dance on the wall.




                                                          Retirement is sweet!



Perfect romantic hideaway!

We enjoyed a honeymoon brunch!



 The chef's pet tortoise!

  From PSV, we proceeded further south to Carriacou.


 Carriacou, Grenada, "clashing" with new 
acquaintance at Paradise Beach. 






Behind the bar with Curtis, Off the Hook Bar and Grill, Paradise Beach, L'Esterre Bay, Carriacou.

 Toasting a wonderful sailing season with rum punch and a Stag beer.  This is a delightful beach, great food,  and view of Sandy Island.


We have always enjoyed Sandy Island Marine Park, watching the sunsets. Supposedly fishing is prohibited but impossible to enforce.
Upon returning to the big island of Grenada we enjoyed sailing of "Her Majesty", still a terrific sailing dinghy.




A cricket game and a roti were enjoyed at Woburn before decommissioning, taking sails down, winch maintenance, change of sanitation hoses and, of course, meeting with fellow "yachties".










Tradition is to blow the conch shell as the sun nears the horizon.
Enjoying Grenada's Le Phare Bleu cocktail of the day and draft beer for Peter.


 Cape Bretoners can be found anywhere.
 One beautiful sunset after another.


Love this one from Dr. Seuss!



Peter and Catherine
aboard the "Charlotte D" now in Grenada