Today we start the journey back to Grenada via the Tobago Cays so that Allison and John can visit Petit Tabac which we had to miss out the last time we were here because of the vicious squall. On the way, John puts the fishing rod out but all we manage to catch is clumps of the weed that has come down from the north of the Caribbean. As we approach the islands, he takes the line in but unfortunately it blows up in the wind and gets wrapped around our wind generator. We normally the fishing rod out on the other side of the boat but forgot to move the rod holder over as we have been using it as the holder for our ensign. Duh! John manages to pull the line in without losing the lure and they leave the tangled mess to deal with later.
Photo: It’s Sunday – it must be Petit Tabac!
When we arrive there are no other boats which is good as there’s not much swinging room inside the reef. We put the anchor down but soon after we feel it starting to drag, so up it comes, round we circle and down it goes again. Mike is unhappy about the holding as almost immediately we are settled, we can see squalls developing on the horizon.
Photo: A squall ahead of us
Not wanting to leave the boat alone with a developing weather system, he takes Allison and John to the beach and comes straight back. If the anchor drags we have about 30 feet at most in all directions before we hit either beach or reef!
Photo: Reefs behind and to our port side
I notice a very strange fish swimming around. At first I think it is dead but on closer inspection I can see that its tail is slowly swishing around. However, it looks like it is swimming on its side – if it’s the right way up it is really peculiar. I think it looks like a rabbit!
Photo: A strange creature indeed
Allison and John also keep an eye on the weather, and after a once round the island they wave for Mike to pick them up. Zoom, zoom and he’s off again.
Photo: Mike’s water taxi at your service
They had only been on the island for about half an hour but while there Allison was bitten to death by mosquitoes. Last time we were there with the Roses we were on the beach for ages and not one of us got even one bite. Today, Allison watches in horror as about 30 bites start to raise themselves into nasty bumps – you can even see the puncture holes in some of them. How glad am I that I stayed on the boat?
Although the squalls seem to be bypassing us we don’t hang around but head over to Union Island to check out of the Grenadines. This time, it’s legal for Allison and John to go ashore with Mike, so while he visits immigration, they visit the shark pool at the Anchorage Yacht Club in Clifton.
In the afternoon we anchor just off Petit St Vincent but don’t bother going ashore as it look as though the resort is in the middle of building works along the shore. We notice a couple of speedboats full of young locals arrive from neighbouring islands and are prevented from going further up the beach by the resort’s security staff who stand and glare at them until they eventually give up and leave.
Photo: Retrieving the yards of line wrapped around the wind generator
Photo: John demonstrating what a hard life it is
Photo: Ohh, tea – don’t mind if I do!
Photo: Our last sunset in the Grenadines
The next morning, Monday, we set sail for the last stretch to Grenada. We arrive back at the lovely Phare Bleu Marina and Mike once again checks us all in, glad that this is the last time he will have to go through all that paperwork for a few weeks. We all go up to the pool in the afternoon as it’s so hot, although getting into the pool is like stepping into a warm bath!
Photos: Proof that I do sometimes get in the water … and sometimes even swim!
Photo: Allison, John and Mike – lazing!
We order loads more cheese bread for Mike and I and go back to the boat to get ready for the evening. Rock comes to pick us up and takes us once again to the Little Dipper at Woburn where finally Allison gets her lobster although not quite the monster she would have liked!
Photo: Dinner at The Little Dipper
The next morning is spent packing and swapping photographs which loosely translated means I give John all of mine and he swears he will send me his.
I finish packing the empty holdall that they brought over to me and John is sure the weight is OK. However, every time I pass it as it sits innocently on the bed, I manage to shove ‘just another tiny thing’ in and hope he doesn’t notice!
In the afternoon Allison and I go up to the pool for an hour. Given that she has a plane to catch we are very well behaved and order tea rather than alcohol. We are chatting away when I spot Chrissy, Graham’s wife from the World ARC yacht, Eowyn, strolling in. They are both out here for two weeks working on the boat and are staying in one of the cottages here at Phare Bleu. What a small world.
Back on the boat the Purvis’s put the finishing touches to their packing (John obviously not noticing the extra items as he shoves in another one of my blankets to take home – little treasure) and we walk them up to the entrance where Rock is waiting to take them to the airport.
It’s sad to say goodbye and I note that these are the last friends to visit us on this part of our life adventure. We’re both quiet as we head out to eat at the Poolside Restaurant but the thought of 2 for 1 pizza cheers us. Chrissy and Graham join us for dinner and I have one of the best pizzas I have ever eaten, no doubt helped by the fact that when I say to put lots of extra garlic on it, they really go to town – it is totally smothered – I’ll stink for days! Yummy!! Poor Mike!
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