"P.P.P."

This Blog should have been entitled “Busy in Bequia” !   Persephone has been anchored in Admiralty Bay for 1 day short of two weeks; and boy, a lot has happened since  arriving here; and yesterday was no exception.....it was one of the busiest days.


The morning was consumed with boat projects. I finished sewing a lifting sling for the dinghy which will allow me to pick it up out of the water using the spinnaker halyard. The first reason for the sling is to keep the bottom of the dinghy clean; the algae, barnacles, grass, and slime are prolific in 90 degree water. The second reason is security. Fifteen horsepower out board engines are a special target for thieves…..by lifting the dinghy out of the water, it makes the engine much more difficult to steal. Crime in this area is not a major concern, but rather safe than sorry. As the morning Safety and Security Net says: “Lock it or Lose It”…..

Yesterday, was Fishermen’s Day on the island. The fishermen bring their catch to the town dock where their wives/volunteers prepare the fish in front of you, and cook it with traditional island spices. The fish is served in heaping portions with rice and beans, and local root vegetables. Have to admit that I didn’t recognize some of the root vegetables, but, OMG, absolutely delicious….The “lunch” was washed down with the local Hairoun Beer served ice cold.

In the evening, I hosted a “P.P.P.” ie. Pizza Party on Persephone to reciprocate for the kindness extended to me by other cruisers in the harbor who have “adopted me”. Two large pizzas got scoffed down in short order !! After dinner everyone retired to the deck (with the remainder of their pineapple rum punches) to stargaze and see how many stars/constellations could be named. The guests left quite late; well past “cruisers midnight”.

Today is “get ready day”…..The anchor is getting hauled tomorrow AM for a 25 mile southbound hop to the Tobago Keys for a few days. The TKs are a series of low lying islands and reefs, which have been designated a nature park and turtle sanctuary…..it is supposed to be pristine and beautiful, with great snorkeling. The weather report is excellent for 4-5 days of settled weather, so anchoring among the reefs should be excellent….I am really excited; and promise to take lots of pictures….

The Tobago Keys are pretty isolated so there is no internet; communication will be back to email via ham radio only as of tonite (Sunday). All for now….off to the beach to clean up the dinghy……

Capt Dave….