Grenada

While in Grenada we had a mixture of work and play. Here are some photos showing us doing both.

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THE BOSUN'S CHAIR

One the way down from Martinique we broke our topping lift (line that goes from the top of the mast to the end of the boom). To fix this we needed to be able to get up the mast. We didn't have a bosun's chair so we did the logical thing............we bought materials and Stacy made one.

This chair is made of Sunbrella material, 2 inch webbing and a couple of D rings. Stacy put pockets on the side and added several loops to hold tools. We attach the 2 D rings on the chair to the main halyard and use the winch to raise and lower the lucky person who gets to go up the mast. Stacy was the first to try it out. She did not make it to the top of the mast, but close. The top of the mast is about 50 feet above the boat, and each bounce of the boat from a wave is intensely magnified at that height. We used this chair to go to the top of the mast to rerun the topping lift to the boom. Dave had to go to the top of the mast twice to get the line fixed. We will use this chair anytime something is broken on the mast. Our next mast project will be to replace the deck light which is half way up the mast.

THE NET ATTACHMENT

We also had the net in the front of the boat come loose from the Starboard hull.

Here is what the old attachment system looked like.

Sanding off the gel coat. You can see where it has failed, twice!

Here we are adding some beef including fiberglassing in a stainless steel rod.

The much stronger design.

Since we do not like the original design, we are redoing is all the way around. So far we have the the two sides done except for fairing and painting. We are also going to do the back.

A LITTLE FISHING

We had garfish feeding off the back of the boat. I tried to to interest them in a little "mister twister". They would peck at it but never actually take it into there mouths. Then I accidentally snagged one in the tail. I was using my ultralight rod and it really put up a good fight.

A BOAT PARTY WITH AMERICA'S FINEST, THE GRENADA PEACE CORP VOLUNTEERS.

Preparing the chow.

Four of America's finest catching some sun on the repaired net. (Liz - upper left, Dara - upper right, Michelle - middle, Patrice - bottom)

In the cockpit at Hog Island (left to right - Matti J, Sara, Dara, Liz, and Kristin)

Liz, Matti J, and Kristin playing Scrabble in the saloon.

A happy crew at the end of the day.

A DAY OF HIKING IN THE GRAND ETANG NATIONAL FOREST

Playing in the water at the Seven Sisters waterfalls!

Stacy is the first in our group to take a big dive.

Dave takes a leap (it was scarier than it looks)

Here is Laurie about to dive. This is the highest point that anyone dove from.

PATRICE THROWS A PARTY!

 

The Spaghetti dinner was wonderful! Thanks!!

 

Patrice's house was the best location for a party, she lives on the most beautiful beach! We all had fun dancing to mucic played by a local DJ. There was a barbecue and lots of local dishes served by Patrice and her many friends. We met lots of interesting people and really had a great time. We watched the full moon rise through the palm trees. Dave and Stacy even managed to sleep on the beach. The rain held off until the morning!

A VISIT TO THE SLAVE PEN (NORTH OF SAUTEURS)

Dave and Jo standing in front of the slave pen on an old island plantation. Slaves were punished and forced to procreate in this small pen.

The masters house from the old island plantation.

A goat along the hiking path.

HIKE TO ROYAL MT CARMEL FALLS

Patrice and Dave listening intently to Ruffin, our guide to the falls.

Dave does the butt slide down the lower falls. A most excellent ride that lands you with a splash in the big pool at the bottom.