Grenada - Part One: Socialites and the Hog

As of today (November 30), we have officially checked out of Grenada. Looking back over the past four months, it seems I failed to share a few stories and photos on the blog. I will do my best to weave them into a few installments of Grenada.

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When we arrived in Grenada in the thick of the Caribbean summer, we did not know what to expect, except that it would be our home for the last four months of hurricane season. While hurricanes ravaged islands to the north of us during late summer and early fall, we had light winds and the occasional squall. We were grateful for being where we were.

Nahanni V in Prickly Bay

The south of Grenada has several anchorages and harbours with different cruising communities. Each has its own vibe. During our visit, we bounced around from the busy capital of St. George's, to the southern anchorages of Prickly Bay, Clark's Court Bay and Mount Hartman Bay. We learned to get around these bays by dinghy, hiking trails, and by the efficient (and always interesting) bus system.

On the bus

Connecting all these communities, where thousands of boats lie at anchor or on the hard, is the Cruiser's Net on VHF Channel 66. This radio net runs six mornings a week at 0730 and keeps everyone (who wants to listen) informed about safety and security issues, social activities, where to find parts and services, items to buy/sell or swap, and what local businesses have to offer.  The morning net became our ritual on Nahanni V to keep the pulse on what was happening. (It also served as my alarm clock most days.)

Part way through the season, a kids' net started to operate by and for kids on boats. Our 10-year-old friend Nathan on Trismic started it off and did a stellar job as net controller. He easily navigated through the sections of the net which allowed kids to introduce themselves, announce social events, buy/sell/swap kids' stuff, and facilitate the wildly popular trivia question. The kid could easily be a CBC Broadcaster.

Nathan on Trismic

When Trismic left Grenada, Simon and Wavey decided to take on the net controller role for a few weeks with Simon scheduled on Wednesdays and Wavey on Saturdays.  There was not as much activity at this time, as a lot of the kid boats had already left to head north or south. However, it was a great opportunity for our kids to practice their radio skills and think on their feet.  

Wavey as Net Controller on Kid's Net

Wednesday mornings with Simon on VHF channel 66

When we first arrived in Prickly Bay, we had the good fortune to meet up  with several cruising families who were spending a good part of the hurricane season in Grenada. We first met a large group of families on the beach, and friendships quickly forged through playdates, sailing camp (see Wavey's Words for more about that) and other events.

Prickly Bay was one of the hubs for the cruising socialite. Onshore at the Tiki Bar, there were activities for just about anyone.  A regular Camp Grenada, some might say. At 0830 twice weekly, you could do yoga on the stage, or Tai Chi under the almond tree. On some afternoons you could play Grenadian Train Dominoes, try your luck at Texas Hold 'em, and attend Happy Hour.  Various bands played weekly including a steel drum band on Friday nights.  Our favourite family-friendly options included half-price pizza Saturday night and free movie night on Sundays.  We also had a few invitations on neighbouring boats for events fondly called Sundowners and Afternoonsies. 

Tim, Lynette, Cindy, Max and John enjoying sundowners in on Trismic

Trismic fun (Photo by Itchy Foot)

Cindy creating yummy snacks and drinks on Trismic

Mia and Jon from Itchy Foot relaxing on Trismic

Wavey and Sienna

Kids on Trismic

 Simon and Mac on Pierina

Wavey and Sienna hanging around on Pierina

Impromptu party on Itchy Foot (photo by Itchy Foot as well!)

Swinging on Itchy Foot (photo by Itchy Foot)

Lynette, Mia and Kathryn enjoying the afternoon (photo by Itchy Foot)

Crew of Nahanni V arriving for a visit at Itchy Foot

Wavey and Simon hanging with Teo for dinner (photo by Itchy Foot)

A night out at Umbrellas

Kids' table at Umbrellas

Afternoonsies with Shannon and Max on Drakkar

Cindy taking in the sunset on Drakkar

Nahanni V leaving St. George's to Prickly Bay

Birthdays were plentiful over the summer and we joined in to celebrate and share. It was great fun to anchor off the beach with a flotilla of dinghies, while barbeques, coolers and food dishes appeared on makeshift tables of logs and tree roots. Other times, we gathered on boats or in restaurants to bring on the cheer.

Celebrating Mia's big day on Calabash Beach (photo thanks to Itchy Foot)

Putting the Bash on Calabash Beach (photo thanks to Itchy Foot)

Girls' night out for Mia's Birthday  (photo thanks to Itchy Foot)

Boston's birthday bash on Grand Anse Beach  (photo thanks to Itchy Foot)

Sienna, Wavey and Simon celebrating with Erin on Flip Flops, for Erin's 9th birthday.

Fantastic fish tacos on Flip Flops with fresh corn tortillas - yum!

Daisy with her parents Holly and Simon from Tudor Rose on her first birthday party on Calabash beach

Daisy with her new boat made by Simon and Wavey

Beautiful cake for Daisy made by Natalia on Spirit of Freedom

Lynette's birthday party in Secret Harbour

Lynette (Pierina) and Nicci (Flip Flops)

For most of the month of September, we moved over to Clark's Court Bay and tucked into Saga Cove, surrounded by our bestie kid boats. From our cockpit, we could see a little landing beach on Hog Island, an uninhabited island where cows and goats roam freely. It was a haven for the kids to get free-range and fall into being Swallows and Amazons. 

Nahanni V in Saga Cove

On a daily basis, the kids raced through their school work, ate lunch, and got on the radio to set up the afternoon's schedule. They loaded up their dinghies with a dozen or so kids from Drakkar, Itchy Foot, Pierina, Mahia, and Flip Flops. They ventured off armed with fort-building supplies, water and snacks.  At dusk, we called them on the VHF radio and begged them to return. They came back describing death-defying adventures with cattle, wind, and thorns. In actual fact, I have no idea what really went on there (as parents were not allowed), but here are a few glimpses of Hog Island in the photos taken by Simon (and the crew from Itchy Foot where indicated.)

Heading out to pick up more kids

Teo waiting for his pick-up (Photo by Itchy Foot)

Going ashore  (photo thanks to Itchy Foot)

Max, Mac, Amelia, Sienna and Wavey off for adventure

Max, Mac and Amelia preparing the crew

Mojo, the dinghy and tender taken to Hog Island

The point where the fort was built

Cattle in the ruins of  a beach bar on Hog Island

Kids taking shelter as squall went by

Mac and Teo scoping out around the fort

Wavey, Amelia, Sienna and Boston

Teo, the youngest of the crew

Making weapons to defend the Fort

Warnings to scare off any intruders

The Fort

At the Fort

Michael protecting himself from the fierce cows

Fierce cow

Other wildlife

View of Saga Cove from the fort

Mojo waiting to take everyone home again

Taking Teo home (Photo by Itchy Foot)

While the kids were tramping around the island, we took the opportunity to get a few jobs done on the boat. We completed sewing our little dodger; a narrow piece of fabric that connects our hard bimini top and the windows of our cockpit.  This installation makes a huge difference in keeping our cockpit dry when it rains. We also completed a sunshade to keep the cockpit cooler. (We also kept up on things like laundry, provisioning and boat maintenance that is rather dull to write about. The social stuff is way more fun to write about.) 

Installing dot fasteners into dodger

Ta da!

Awning

Awning

We also had some fun sewing some projects with Mia for Itchy Foot

While the kids were exploring onshore, we eeked out some adult time and enjoyed civilized conversation without interruptions.

Having the lunch special at Whisper Cove Marina

Before several boats decided to move on to other ports, Jon (from Itchy Foot) and John prepared a Treasure Hunt on Hog Island for the kids.

Jon giving the first clue in a conch shell with the kids on Nahanni V

Kids reading the first clue (Photo by Itchy Foot)

Reading the first clue  (Photo by Itchy Foot)

Sienna, Wavey, Amelia and Mac getting ready

Teo and Boston gearing up for the challenge

Ready to start Hunt  (photo thanks to Itchy Foot)

Treasure Hunt message

While the kids did the wild thing, the adults got together for Afternoonsies, a far more tame activity involving rum, beer and lots of good food.

Max and Shannon from Drakkar with John, Peter and Max on Mahia 

Tim and Lynette from Pierina

Jon and Mia from Itchy Foot with Max and Shannon from Drakkar

After finding the treasure, the kids joined us on Mahia for a play date and more food.

Hog Island AND Lego! 

After we had our fill of wild adventure on Hog Island, we returned to Prickly Bay to prepare for our much anticipated family visits. 

More to come in Part Two...