The Flower Moon has passed with no additional Engine Spirits materializing and so has our time in Grenada. When the Strawberry Moon rises, we will be in Trinidad. Why each full moon is named I have no idea. As technology advances, it seems more people search for meanings in the natural rhythms of the planets and discard the cold technologic explanations. How else can one explain the devotion and reverence one pays to a iPhone, while being quite skeptical or knowledgeable of the physical science behind such an instrument? Ironically, many of the mems and “truths” gleaned from such devices rely on the very technology and science that is questioned. Don’t trust anyone over 30, shouted the hippies of the 60’s. Today, that idea has blossomed as people of all ages lose trust, not just in other people, but also in institutions, governments, businesses. They rely on the persuasive theatrics of profession “very important people” they happen to agree with. The monthly full moon is named with aspirations of meaning beyond the “Cold hearted orb that rules the night. Removes the colours from our sight. Red is grey and yellow – white. But we decide which is right, And which is an illusion”. (Graeme Edge, Peter Knight)
Our time was well spent in Grenada, an island we haven’t been to in 7 years. This season’s voyage (#15) was long on port stays, and short on preferable sailing weather. That was ok, as hanging out in the Caribbean is mostly what we prefer now. Antigua, Martinique, St Lucia, Bequia and Grenada were the places where we spent most of our time. In each port we managed to meet up with new and old cruising friends, which made our neighborhood quite active. In Grenada, we anchored off the University Club, a bit rolly at times, but with good transportation options to other areas. I did manage to find bars of Jouvay Grenadian chocolate here. I think it is the best of the Caribbean chocolates. It is apparently in short supply ever since last year’s hurricane Beryl took out many of the cocoa trees. We also got to visit St. Augustine’s Medical Service, a private hospital when my stomach acted up. Some x-rays, blood/urine tests, exam and some antibiotics took care of the issue although my rum consumption took a hit. Probably for the better.
Lunches at La Phare Bleu, One Love, and the Container Park where we sampled local dishes was great. On Wednesday nights we went over to hear the Cool Jazz Band in Secret Habor, a very good local band. Revisiting the rest of the island will have to wait until we return. We ended our stay, in Grenada, by seeing Sabrina Francis with cruising friends Mark and Cathy (s/v NANCY LU). Sabrina is a talented professional local singer, who performs all around Grenada and in the Tree House. The Tree House is way up in the mountains in St. David. This small and coxy venue does not have a PA system. Each audience member wears earphones and hears exceptionally clear performers and other sound effects. A lovely evening in the mountains with drinks and Hors d’Oeuvres was marvelous. I loved it as I didn’t need my hearing aids! A video of the performance we attended is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33inNjVRN6k. The back of my head is seen in the wide stage shots (bottom right corner).
The overnight sail down to Trinidad was lumpy with strong currents, and close-reach sailing, but no squalls. At times the current was against the wind which made the seas more than lumpy. But we made it after dawn with about 7 other boats, all taking advantage of the “best” weather window. It was one of those sailings that you just grit your teeth and do it. Our hat is off to our friend ,Bob on PANDORA, who is off to the Med via Bermuda, and the Azores. We believe our long distant voyages are over and the few nights we sail are more than enough for us. But to those who voyage on, safe sailing!
When we arrived, in Trinidad there were no moorings available. Trinidad, as most places have seen, an increase of cruisers since the pandemic. The boats are bigger, the anchorages are more popular and so what else is new? A growing population spreads widely. We anchored for one night but the next day a mooring opened up and we jumped on it. We believe taking a mooring in Chaguaramas is preferable to anchoring in the small area available. In four days, we haul out and be on the hard. The only problem is that our car’s engine, i.e. the dinghy’s outboard engine, refuses to start. In Grenada, on the last island of this season’s voyage, on the last dinghy ride to shore, it decided to quit.
As we mentioned many times, the dinghy is our “car” to get ashore. Fortunately, we know a few boats here that can give us a lift to shore for the days we are on the mooring. Thanks to Mike on EXODUS and Mark on LIAHONA for their help! Mark uses the small skiff of Power Boats to get us to shore. Add “outboard motor repair” to the to-do list here in Trinidad.
Chaguaramas, as we have mentioned is a combination of large commercial ships for the oil rigs, Venezuelan and local fishing boats and worldwide cruisers. An eclectic mix in an eclectic country. No one talks of the Strawberry Moons. Instead, they keep an eye on the weather and the inner workings of their watercrafts. They move big things, catch what swims by and Lime with abandon.
Kalunamoo will spend the next few months here, undergoing some M&R as we fly north to see family and friends. We will be up there to see the Buck Moon, the Sturgeon Moon and of course the Corn Moon. It’s that monthly excitement which I can’t wait to see.
Kalunamoo 