Janice & Mick on Zoa

20240513 Sandy Island Lat 12 Deg 28.960'N Lon 061 Deg 28.943'W

We have been at Sandy Island for a couple of days now, we took a mooring which
seems to be in Good shape.
It's a beautiful spot, the wind gets In, but it's comfortable on the boat, however the
dinghy ride ashore is a bit bumpy and wet.
But once ashore its great, crystal clear water white sandy beaches, Palm trees ect.
It was Mothers day yesterday, and I had a nice chat to Mum, we also went over to
Paradise Beach Club for dinner, They pick you up in a speed boat, it was a nice
dinner, they had a little present for all of the Mums, and there was a band playing
So I think Mothers Day was a success.
We will stay here tonight, and head back around to Tyrell Bay tomorrow, to be ready
to haul out on Wednesday.
All's well, and it seems like less wind than yesterday, so it should be a good day.

20240511 Tyrell Bay Lat 12 deg 27.490'W Lon 061 deg 29.458'W

We had a pleasant sail over here to Tyrell Bay yesterday, after a nice few days at
Chattham bay, Chattham Bay is a great spot we took it easy just swimming, walking
along the beach, drinks at sunset etc.
We are anchored in Tyrell bay now, we have cleared into Grenada, and confirmed our
haul out date with the Marina on Wednesday.
So we have a few days to kill, and will probably head around to Sandy Island.
Not much else to say all's well with us and the boat, we don't really feel like hauling
out, but Hurricane season is nearly here, and we have jobs to do.

20240507 Chatham Bay Lat 12 Deg 36.159'N Lon 061 Deg 27.019'W

We sailed down here from Bequia yesterday, it was a pretty lazy sail, beam reach all
the way.
We were heading for Tobago Keys, but as we were entering it looked very crowded
and windy so changed our mind, and came down here to Chatham bay.
We had a nice time in Bequia, the weather was good and the wind was from the SE
mostly which made lower bay quite comfy, we made some new friends, went for a
swim & walk most days, we really enjoyed it.
It's also just beautiful here, its one of our favourite places, nice clear water and a
beaute beach, no cars & shops, just a few little restaurants.
The only downside is there are these bullets of wind that come down from the hills,,
it's not too bad you have to anchor well
We will stay for a few days then head over to Carriacou,

20240428 Bequia Lat 13 deg 00.078'N Lon 061 deg 14.818'W

We arrived here in Bequia, yesterday at about 16:00 yesterday, after a mixed trip down
from Martinique
We had planned to sail straight through, but ended up going in to Rodney Bay St
Lucia, for a snooze and continued on at Midnight, that way be did the channel between
St lucia to St Vincent, and St Vincent to Bequia in the daylight.
It worked out quite well, we had a beautiful sail down the coast of St Lucia there was a
big moon out and we were ghosting along at about 5 knots on a calm sea.
It got pretty bumpy in the Channel then faded out as we entered the lee of St Vincent
so we had to motor. Then as we entered the channel to Bequia it piped up and we had
a cracking sail to Bequia, Close hauled but laying the anchorage, we were a bit
overpowered but going like a train, I hope Zoa enjoyed it as much as me.
I cleared Customs after arrival as they like you to be prompt here, but no worries.
Jan cooked up a nice feed, and we were both pushing out zzz's not long after.
Not sure how long we will stay, we are only 30 or so miles to Carriacou where we will
haul out for Hurricane season. There is still a month to go until Hurricane season
officially starts, but apparently the signs are that it may be a busy season, so I will ring
the Marina tomorrow and see about a date to lift out.
So all's good its a beaute morning, in a lovely anchorage so I'll make Jan a cuppa and
see what we are up to today.

20240424 Anse A Lane Lat 14 deg 32.618'N Lon 061 deg 04.297'W

We arrived here 1st light a couple of nights ago on Janice's Birthday, after a mixed trip
down here, it was pretty uncomfortable for the 1st half of the channel between
Dominica and Martinique there was a lot of short sharp waves that were slowing is
down and the boat was bobbing around like a Hobby horse, but it settled down in the
end and was quite nice.
We went in to St Pierre at about midnight hoping that the full moon would give us
enough light to anchor, but there were a lot of boats there and we didn't feel
comfortable anchoring, it's a bit hard even in the day as its a narrow shelf you anchor
on and quite deep.
So we motored slowly down the coast in very light winds arriving here just on sun
rise.
We anchored at or close to our usual spot, and both fell asleep once we were settled
in.
We had a nice meal on the boat for Jan's Birthday, it was a beautiful evening and
neither of us could be bothered going ashore.
I got up 1st thing and hiked over to Anse Mitan and checked in yesterday, it was a
nice walk about 3.5 k each way, we then made some water then went shopping and for
a nice swim in the evening.
It would be nicer anchored at Anse Mitan, but it is packed, we feel better here, it
comes up a bit windy in the day, but is beautiful in the evening and through the night.
Alls going well, and we are not sure how long we will stay, only a few days I think,
then a bog hop to Bequia.

20240419 Des Saintes Lat 15 Deg 52.075'N Lon 061 Deg 35.172'W

We had a long Motor down here yesterday, after a nice stop at Deshaies, a little sea
breeze did pop up, but it was on the nose and very light, I was happy to keep the
engine running as the batteries got a good charge and we made some water.
The stitching has come undone on the flexible solar panels, so we are low on charging
capacity, but the new fridge has helped a lot, it uses much less power, and being in the
Caribbean its usually windy so the wind generator is great, but light winds cause us to
struggle keeping the batteries charged.
The Saintes are a great place, we spent a lot of time here last year, we will probably
stay a few days.
We have picked up a mooring, it looks in OK condition, there are a lot of moorings
here, it's a tough decision, its convenient to take a mooring, but you don't really know
what kind of condition its in, I did snorkel on it and it looked OK, but its often too
deep to do that. however the mooring operators seem pretty professional here, and its
nice to put some money into the community, Its very crowded in a lot of anchorages,
and anchoring is hard, so I think there will be more and more Moorings,
Apart from that all's well, I think we will keep heading south at a pretty steady pace,
then spend some time in the Grenadines, there is plenty to do there and its close to
where we will lift out for Hurricane season.