Battling Hummingbirds (Prickly Bay, Grenada)

 

We jumped in the tender and ventured ashore this morning. The outboard, for now at least, seems to be behaving itself. No real reason to hit land other than to get a change of scenery and stretch our legs, an activity that life on a boat severely restricts. We tied and locked the tender to the marina’s jetty and headed up the road. Strolled along until we came across a group doing yoga at the back of the beach. Skirting around the downward dogs we paddled along the sandy shore. It’s a clean, white, soft on the feet beach, in front of the grounds of a rather nice looking Hotel Calabash. Along the way we pass what we judge from their ripening rosy skin tones to be either day 1 or day 2 holiday makers happily lounging and tucking into the first few pages of their novels - lovely spot for them. From there, we followed the road along to a sign for the West Indies Brewery. It’s a hot day, and close to lunchtime, we pop in for a couple of craft beers - which are overly hoppy and not great. The place has a good feel to it though: Big shiny brew tanks behind the bar, with mainly corrugated walls opening up to an outside area with palms and picnic tables. There’s a few groups dotted around from the local university watching a Scotland vs Argentina rugby match. Sent Monty a ‘wish you were here’ video. He would’ve loved it. Made our slow way back to the boat - the outboard once again playing nicely for the return leg.

While bobbing around on anchor we’ve been chatting through what we want from the coming months and in what direction we’d like to head. A current plan is to hang around in this rough area for now, perhaps heading up to Carriacou and the Grenadines, then possibly back to Grenada for Xmas. After Santa’s been, we’ll begin to head West with a view to the Pacific and beyond.. March is the most favourable time to pass through the Panama canal and begin the trek down towards the islands of the South Pacific and eventually Australia. Just writing it down gives me tingles in the stomach - in a good way. Lots of other options still floating about, but thought I’d share some of our current thinking for now.

After picking up baguettes from the bakery/bar at Prickly Bay Marina first thing, we upped anchor and headed out of the bay - we’re planning just another short hop to change the scenery. It was not to be. Coming out to the bay’s entrance the swell increased - something we were blissfully unaware of further back in the protection of the bay. A yacht who’d left shortly before us was still visible with his bow slamming hard and uncomfortably into the large swell. He’s going the way we’d planned to (Eastish)

As the saying goes: A sailor with time on his hands always has good weather.. well thankfully time is something we have, so we re-dropped the anchor in a suitable spot, still in Prickly Bay, and here we wait until conditions calm a little.

The next morning after a somewhat rolly and uncomfortable night, the conditions have indeed calmed. We up anchor and head back round to Whisper Cove, where we drop in time to make it over to Cruisers Galley and Jenny’s fresh veg market. This being a good thing as Jenny has the most wonderful tasting home made ginger and lime juice. This calls for ice, which we pick up across the bay at Whisper Cove marina. Whilst over there, I take a walk up to the local shop. On the way I hear a strange high pitched fast beeping noise. This turns out to be two hummingbirds (possibly husband and wife) having a fast, on the wing, argument come dog fight. They whizz in and out of the trees and across the road in front in me. They’ve disappeared in 5 seconds or so, but it was really something amazing to see the two little purple/green iridescent battlers going at it at cartoon speeds.

Found out today that Charlie’s work where he’s been contract forklift driving for the last two months through an agency have asked to make him permanent - great news, and really pleased for him.