Yesterday about 25 cruisers hiked over a mountain and through the rain forest to the Fountainbleu Falls located in the interior of Grenada.  The hard core hikers started at Mount E'tang and hiked for 4 hours over a mountain to the falls.  The more sensible in the group,  (read: me) did a  modified version of about an hour trek meeting the hard core at the falls.  The day was perfect, bright sun, with reasonable temperatures  (mid 80s) and moderate humidity. 

                                       Here is our destination, the Fountainbleu Falls which is 65 feet high:

Ann (left of s/v Impressionist)  cools off.  After a long, dirty hike we  were covered in sticky mud which didn't seem to want to wash off.  Finally, we needed to use 'scrubby pads' to scour the filth off....


Home....

A week ago Monday, Persephone arrived in Grenada.  Mark,  Willie (s/v 'Liahona') and I walked into the Customs and Immigration Office, when the officer looked up, smiled and said: "Hi Persephone, welcome back" !  "Hi Mr. Williams...it's good to be back", I responded.  Meanwhile, Mark is looking at his feet and muttering "how come Customs knows you, what did you do this time ?"  Relax Mon, I'm 'home'. 

 Grenada is where the major boat projects are done. But first, the "Big Top"  (i.e large awning cover) had to be repaired.  It was chaffed in a couple of spots when I took it down last November; figuring I would stitch it during the winter season....wrong.  So, out came the sewing machine.....

But, don't get me wrong...it is not all work.  On Tuesday, Lynn and Ken (s/v 'Silverheels III') organized a picnic on top of a 'hill' (read: mountain) overlooking Mt. Hartman Bay where Persephone is moored for the summer.

Ken and I were in the field above chatting when out of the corner of my eye I see something coming at us.  I turned and saw a bull briskly walking toward us, who appeared agitated and getting ready to charge !  I yelled, " look out" to Ken who turned, yelped,  and took off running toward a tree.  Before I could react, Lynn (at 6' 2" tall) jumped up, screamed, raised her arms over her head and charged the bull !!!  The bull stopped dead in its tracks....not wanting to confront this crazy cruiser charging him.  The bull quickly turned tail, and ambled off. 

 Lynn wasn't taking any of his bull sh*t !!!!  

Pig Roast Part III

The following pictures were taken by our friend, Charles Shipley of m/v Tusen Takk 2.  To see more pictures and to read about the pig roast go to www.tusentakk2.com ....

Our host, Mark (l) and Ed of s/v Skylark get ready to serve...

 Blackboy serves the roasted pig.....delicious !!

Dancing after dinner with Ellen of  s/v 'Michlo III' nodding
her appoval of my soca moves !!

Willie, our hostess (s/v 'Liahona' )  enjoys the post-pig partying !!

Pig Roast continued.....




So there I was hanging out, when Black asked me to help out behind the bar.  Next thing I know,  I became the 'happy hour' bartender for the next three days.....

Mark tends the grill with nearly 75 pounds of pig cooking away, with a Hairoun (local beer)

Think Mark shoud have remembered to tie his apron for the picture !!

Mark and I are liming with a couple of  coldies while the pig is cooking..... 

Partying continues thru the afternoon.

Mayreau Pig Roast....

From last Wednesday thru Saturday, Persephone was moored at Saltwhistle Bay, Mayreau for Mark and Willie's First Annual Pig Roast.  More than 18 boats were anchored in the bay with over 40 party-goers enjoying the extended weekend.  Here is the venue.....

The beach at Saltwhistle Bay...Persephone is anchored to the left

Caribbean Sea left, and Saltwhistle Bay right

Colors of a beach vendor

Mayreau.....

No, The Blog has not sailed off the edge of the earth (again). It is a connectivity issue. On Wednesday, Persephone had a "spirited" sail the twenty miles from Bequia to Mayreau. The weather
acted as predicted...20 knot winds, gusting 27 kts with 10 foot seas. The reason we left in these conditions was the forecast for Thursday and Friday was worse as a tropical wave passed over! Persephone  did great; and we arrived without issue, although 'lightly salted'.

Why was it important to get to Saltwhistle Bay on Mayreau ? A pig roast !! Mark and Willie of 'Liahona' are hosting a pig roast on Saturday afternoon at Blackboy's Beach Bar. Mark is expecting about 20 boats to attend the event. A local boat boy brought two pigs across from Union Island, thus the guests of honor arrived this morning. It should be a blast !!

Mayreau is a remote island in the Grenadines; without much infrastructure. There is no wifi here, but there is limited cell phone service. So, I am unable to use the internet to upload postings to the Blog. In fact, this posting is being sent via old fashion amateur (ham) radio. (As ham radio public service adds say..."when all else fails, there is always amateur radio"). So, you will have to wait until early next week for pictures....

Gotta go and deal with some pigs.....Later

Breathtaking Barbuda....

Barbuda is so beautiful, I am going to let this pictures tell the story...this is 'Two Foot Bay' on the east side of Barbuda.  I asked our guide: "Why do they call it 'Two Foot Bay" ?  " Cuz in the old days you needed your two foots to get here"! (Note the appoaching squall on the horizon)

In a cave, we were shown these  drawing left by the Carib Indians, the original inhabitants of the island.

Today is the fifth birthday of a cute, little French girl who was aboard a boat  in the anchorage.  She was concerned that if she had a party, no one would come. WRONG !  All the cruisers showed up with presents, and joined in singing Happy Birthday (in French) around a "bon" fire. I am sure it is a birthday she will never forget !!