Grenada to Martinique 

Mar 19, 2018. Princess Margaret Bay, Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Saw Mercury for the first time last evening.  And Caren saw the Green Flash (I was also looking, but didn’t see it).  Boat in great shape, thanks to the new crew: He services both engines, reorganized our tools, replaced the dinghy lift line, and cleaned the cockpit.  And he’s a great guy.  Cushions and isinglass-paneled cockpit in town for repairs.  

• Two days ago took a bus with Annie and Erik of El Gato to Friendship Bay on the other side of the island, where we met a third generation whaler.  The country is allowed 3 whales a year - last year they got one.  Bequia is quiet, picturesque, with lots of yachts in its harbor, and boat service for water, fuel, and laundry.  We bought 100 gallons of fresh water a few days ago, but after Caren, on the phone with Terry a few days ago, fixed the watermaker, we hopefully won’t need to do that again.  The watermaker still needs to be manually adjusted each time we run it, and we hope to fix this annoyance when we get to Martinique.

• Spending lots of time reading: biographies of Presidents mainly.  No Spanish practice to speak of, and nervous about my French (Spanish keeps getting in the way).  Martinique may be a challenge.  Tried watching a movie for the first time (we got lots from another cruiser back in Grenada), but no subtitles, and earphones don’t work very well.

• I think my hearing is getting worse - Caren recommends I as about cochlear implants.  Also, I have been getting lots of cuts and bruises - just rubbing or hitting against something is all it takes.  The boo-boos on my back have caused Caren alarm, and I’ve promised her to see a doctor when I get back.  Finally, my muscle tone, especially my arms, is way down.  I really should at least be doing some pushups regularly.  Ah, the joys of being 75.  At least I’m getting some snorkeling almost daily (it’s pretty good but nothing like the South Pacific - although I did see an octopus being eaten by a moray eel and a “sea centipede” a few days ago).

Travel plan:

• Mar 23: sail to St. Lucia

• Mar 26: sail to Martinique 

• Apr 1: fly to SFO, stay with Nancy Packer, get teeth done, check skin, etc.

• Mid April: teeth at Punta Mita

• May-Jul: Spanish lessons (Cuernavaca? Guatemala?)

• Jul 21-24: Gold Lake

• Aug: Join boat (Colombia, Panama?)

Or: straight to CDT after Spanish lessons (no Gold Lake)

St Lucia

Mar 25, 2018.  Between Petit Piton and Gros Piton, St Lucia.

• Gorgeous location, with only a few other sailboats sharing it.  Saw a bit of the island country yesterday: botanical gardens, a few (hot) waterfalls, an active volcano.  Bought some tuna yesterday for a fine dinner, accompanied by the usual salad of lettuce (from California!), tomato, cucumber, green pepper, and tiny French olives, washed down with Argentinian white wine.  Hike planned for today.

• Purchased my flight home: April 3, from Martinique.  Arriving in the AM, so will spend a night in a hotel, then pick up Caren’s car for the time in California.  My Caribbean cruise is soon over!