Bequia, Grenadines
13.00.640N
61.14.553W

We hoisted sail at 5:30 am this morning and passed between the Pitons into the ocean just as the sun was rising. We had discussed our passage with DocNoMore and Foreclosure regarding whether or not we would stop in St. Vincent on our way south. We all had heard the reports of the occasional burglary or robbery of yachtsmen who had stopped in St. Vincent. For Dale and I, it was the cruising guides that made up our minds with the simple phrase of “predatory individuals”. Another guide advised that taxis could only be hired to go so far before they refused to go any further. We decided that we would just by pass the whole island.

This of course, made for a long day of sailing since the next island in the Grenadines was about 53 miles away across a stretch of water that was likened to that of the Gulf Stream. It could be a walk in the park or something that made you question your sanity.

As luck would have it, it was a walk in the park for us. Leaving so early in the morning allowed us to make it across before the winds really had a chance to fill in. Still the current was a good two knots against us most of the way across. As the winds filled in, we were able to turn off the motor and sail several hours before we came to the first mountain. Then we had to dodge DocNoMore who suddenly appeared to have stopped in front of us while we were still sailing rather quickly in his direction. As soon as we reached his position, we too stopped as if we had snagged a tail hook.

So . . . on came the engines again. While motor sailing along Bequia (Beck-way), the wind came from all directions. We finally gave up and rolled the sails in.

While still quite a ways out, we heard a shrill whistle and saw a little inflatable boat darting in front of us, to the side of us, off to the other side. Each time tooting his little whistle. Our cruising guide had described this, so we knew that it was “Kenmore” the local photographer, who risks his life each day to make his living taking pictures of the boats who come to Bequia. Today was rather calm, but it was reported that he is out in heavy seas just as readily as he was today. We knew that we would be meeting him in the next 24 hours.

We entered Admiralty Bay in the town of Port Elizabeth and began circling around the various anchorages. Since our friends on Foreclosure had been here on several occasions before, they gave us the heads up as to where to anchor. Arriving rather late in the afternoon, there was no room for us, so we ended up taking a mooring in front of an establishment with gingerbread along its roofline.

After each of us was settled, the guys decided that they would check into customs tomorrow and the ladies decided that we would have a quiet dinner on the boat. We are all tired.
Not a whole lot of excitement but definitely a full day.