The Definition of Arrive.
Do we arrive as we sail at dawn around the northern tip of the island through a channel with reefs? It is drizzling and the squalls on the horizon around us make a dramatic background. Or do we arrive when we drop the anchor?
Not likely to happen any time soon at this rate! We have this conversation as we wake up sailing south along the lee side of Grenada. It’s a good job we got the current with us because there is no wind and after yoyo-ing around with our (downwind) poles we give up and put them away.
Four hours or so later with Neptune our god benignly breathing the gentlest of winds behind us we were inched into Georgetown anchorage in broadest hottest daylight I have experienced for a long time . The few clouds are a blessing. Captain Neptune adds that we have no motor power . So we feel the Captain has earned applause for sailing without engine for over a month now. That’s how it’s done, little Columbus!
Our first try to get ashore was not successful. On our way in to Saint Georges we had to make an emergency landing on a small beach because the propeller, that was already gving us problems in Puerto Vuelas, stopped working completely: no propulsion. People lent us tools but it was not possible to repair. The receptionist of Port Louis marina brought us and our dinghy back in the dark to the boat for 70 USD.
After 3 days of Carnival we row ashore in the pouring rain to meet Nigel of Nigels Outboard Repair. He will sell us a second hand propeller.
We land on a tiny private beach, walk up to the main road and on to town. Its very quiet…Why? we ask a friendly local. He says it is independence day!
So everything is still closed! Luckily Foodworld near the marina is open. It is spacious, fairly well stocked and even has a dinghy dock. We are impressed. It has labeled packaging: local or imported. It even has a dinghy dock. We are impressed. The toothpaste was obviously imported at almost 10 euro for a little tube.
Stella says: outside there was a character waiting to sell me some lemons to which I had agreed on my way in having heard there was a lemon shortage. His “shop” was two boxes on the dinghy dock. After some good natured bartering and trying of satsumas he gave us the pumpkin as well, the one he was taking home. He became very relaxed feeling the need to give me a little hug which was fine and then he sat on the edge of the jetty telling us about his girlfriends:
This one always takes something from my house every time! But I really like her so she comes again and again; also, one came and lived in my house for three days when she knew I was going to be away.He laughs.
I no like that so much he says scowling. It was all very natural and relaxed, although in the end I had to say I wanted to get my shopping home before it was cooked by the sun in the dinghy. So, happily stocked up with provisions we motor home using our recently repaired outboard, thank you Nigel!
