January 14
In my previous post, we were planning to leave Canouan the following day (Jan. 7th). However, Mother Nature had other plans for us. On the days we leave our anchorage, we always confirm the weather forecast that is updated at 04h00. Wind direction and force had changed: more to the North East, 20 knots, 1.3 metre waves. North East winds would have been on our nose, actual winds are always at least 5 knots more than forecast, 1.3 metre waves are reasonable but with the wind on our nose a 4-hour sail could easily be a frustrating 8-hour sail. No thank you; we're in no rush to move on. However, by not taking this weather window, Mother Nature kept us in Canouan for another 5 days.
For those 5 days, the winds were very strong. We couldnˋt do much but read our books, play games, do my jigsaw puzzle and prepare some great meals. I made some fresh starfruit juice! So good and healthy. I learned from a local woman who sold this juice and other flavours like mango, passion fruit (Frankˋs favorite) and coconut water. Itˋs easy: just boil the fruits until tender then use the blender (fruits and boiled water). Delicious!
Staying for another 5 days was the right decision for us as we had a great sail on the following Friday (12th). Winds from the East, 18 knots, 1.5 metre waves (swells). A bit bouncy but that only triggers a huge smile on my face. Yeeepeee!
There was a lot of anticipation to discover Bequia (pronounced Beck-way). Everyone we talked to love the place. Many boats met up in Bequia for Christmas and New Year. The Party Island: lots of restaurants, bars and music on the beach every day. Many people from nearby St. Vincent come to Bequia to party on weekends. But also, there are a lot of hiking trails, a turtle sancturary, beautiful beaches. Thereˋs a weekly event newsletter in which we read where the food specials are, where the music bands play, which activities are planned. Thereˋs a 5th annual theatre festival here early February: 4 plays in 8 nights. A couple of expats who moved to Bequia a few years ago, transformed half of their restaurant into a stage with proper lights and sound. They now have actors from UK, US and Canada performing. Isnˋt this cool! I love theatre. In Owen Sound, I was involved with its theatre for a few years. I helped with make up, props, stage management and production. Theatre has a lot of positive energy. I loved it! We wonˋt be able to attend Bequiaˋs festival this year but Iˋd love to come next year.
Today, we walked across the island to Friendship Bay on the Atlantic side. It was not a long distance (2-3 kms one way) but steep hills and heat sapped our energy. I had brought a picnic (wraps of fresh tuna - last nightˋs leftover, and apples). With a beer purchased from a beach vendor, lunch was perfect. As we walked on the beach near Komeekha, we heard music played by a violonist - Samuel Toka, a St. Vincent native. He had recorded background music - all types. We enjoyed him so much that we sat at the restaurant for a couple of hours to listen to him. Diners even danced. So fun!
Tomorrow, weˋll spend most of the day at the beach. We havenˋt done so since we arrived in November. We rent lounge chairs from a beach vendor who brings us food and drinks as we pass the hours swimming, snorkeling, reading and snoozing. Aaaaah!
Our friends Jocelyn and Natalie from Sherbrooke (on their sailboat Mordicus) are sailing from Martinique today. Theyˋll stop by our location for a night tomorrow. Canˋt wait to spend the evening with them. Theyˋre on their way to Carriacou for boat repairs.
If Mother Nature keeps a steady forecast, we should be able to leave Bequia for Martinique on Thursday (18th). Weˋre planning to stop for a night at the North end of St. Vincent, then another night Rodney Bay in St. Lucia before arriving at Le Marin in Martinique. But you know how it is with plans and sailing .... they can change!
