Josie Maria: February 2016

We waited in St Lucia for a weather window – it was very relaxing, St Lucia is a lovely place!! Unfortunately it became apparent that John was not going to arrive in Trinidad by sailing their in time for his flight home – so instead of missing some work and family commitments John decides to fly out of St Lucia for Australia. Vicki will follow from Trinidad when Josie Maria is safe in her berth where she will stay for the next few months.

On the 15th June Gordon, Charlie and Vicki say Farewell to John dinner at Spinnakers!

John leaves us for Australia in the morning of the 16^th June – Gordon, Charlie and Vicki have brunch at Café Olé followed by a quiet afternoon, and Charlie cooks pesto pasta for dinner!!

It looks like we are finally getting a break in the weather and on Wednesday 17^th June we check-out of St Lucia (with customs) in the morning, fill Josie Maria’s water tanks, have final lunch at Café Olé and then motor to the fuel dock to refuel. Charlie is drenched when refueling as we have a quick downpour – but doesn’t take long to dry off!! We, anchor in Rodney Bay overnight so we can leave for Bequia at first light! We are excited about commencing the voyage south – at last the waiting is over!! What will the weather bring…..

While onboard - Gordon organises Charlie’s flights back to SA and we plan a work-list of stuff that needs to be completed before Josie Maria heads back to Australia in January next year. Gordon is cooking tonight – pork sausages, mash and steamed veges!! At 5ish we open some champagne!!... Trinidad here we come!!

As the sun rises on Thursday 18^th June, Josie Maria, heads south with a motor-sail to Bequia. We arrive in Bequia at 4.30pm, pick up a Mooring (one that Gordon used to own, now owned by African – so we have a safe and quiet night on the water. We had planned to anchor in the harbor with Q flag up, but were able to catch a water taxi, check-in and out of customs and immigration and have a local beer at Mamas and Papas at the top of the hill towards the left of the customs building. When Charlie and I return to Josie Maria, Gordon has prepared a feast for dinner!

The next morning, Friday 19^th June, we leave in the direction of Carriacou/Grenada – the plan was to anchor at Carriacou overnight with Q flag – but we motor-sail all the way to Grenada and anchor in Grand Mal Bay. We are not sure what the weather is going to do and decide to go while it’s good!

On Saturday 20^th June we awake up at 2.45am and head to Trinidad, the anchor up and we are underway at 3.30am!! The passage between Grenada and Trinidad has confused seas of up to 2m and the wind is on the nose, so a close reach/beat most of the way….the first bit was very uncomfortable. The trip finished with a squall of winds 20-30knots. Charlie and Vicki were busy shortening sails to keep the boat as level as possible! The sea was also playing games with us – spraying water over us when we least expected it. The rain was coming down in earnest just as we were about to enter the “dragons mouth” – Gordon decided to stay dry and donned his wet weather gear!!

We tie up at the fuel dock at 4.15pm, and get to immigration at 1630. Immigration and Customs takes 1.5hours and our flare gun is taken for safe keeping!! – Let’s hope we don’t need it….

Gordon then reverses Josie Maria into her berth C55 with finesse and we all go for a meal at sails….we are all very tired!!

Josie Maria is now going to stay in Trinidad until our new departure date for Australia – which is planned for end January-1^st week in February 2016. Gordon and Charlie have a list of 60 plus items of maintenance/improvements to complete over the next few months! So they will be very busy!!