Dilemmas in Paradise
The coronavirus is causing huge worry and disruption globally. General opinion is that we are well out of the firing line here. But that is not to say we are … Continue reading
Pets and other critturs!
Staying in the same place for a few days helps one to make friends. A boat’s hull makes a great hiding place from local predators as they cannot see you … Continue reading
Unusual Luggage, escaping dinghy, and best laid plans…
One of the perpetual challenges for cruisers is electrical power. We all get a bit paranoid about leaving the lights on, even if they are all LEDs now. Then there … Continue reading
Seasonal shift
A good time to bail out is when Johannesburg starts its rainy season. Having lived in the UK for most of our lives, we do not share the locals’ enthusiasm … Continue reading
Bully on our doorstep
Anchored off Frigate Island, (part of Union Island), there was a very rare photo opportunity. Within a few feet of the boat, a brown booby had caught a fish … Continue reading
Visiting St Kitts
Only a few miles from Nevis, this island is part of the same former colony. The welcome could hardly have been better. Obliged to go into the tiny marina for … Continue reading
Nevis
We could not wait to escape St Lucia after having spent so much time in Rodney Bay last year. So almost as soon as Freebooter was lowered back into the … Continue reading
Fish!
The line was trailed astern on the way back to St Lucia……and nothing happened. Then a twitch on the line and the scream of the reel, astonishingly when we … Continue reading
Grande Anse d’Arlet
The snorkelling in and around this bay is dramatic. Amazing visibility coupled with majestic rock formations and lots of fish. Sadly on our swim back we found a large turtle … Continue reading
A Matter of Timing…
They say timing is everything! Arriving early evening in Fort de France, Martinique’s capital, we wandered ashore to investigate the music. Typical, we just climb out of the dinghy as … Continue reading
Seeing in the New Year
We sailed up to Marigot Bay (St Lucia) to see the New Year in with Ocean Rainbow at Chateau Mygo, one of the local waterfront restaurants. An excellent meal accompanied … Continue reading
Christmas in Bequia
This time, we had our act together! Last year, we had only just arrived from Europe, and we were still euphoric despite the rainstorms on Christmas Eve. But in … Continue reading
Taking a Cruise Ship Holiday in the Caribbean?
Forgive us some observations if you, dear reader, are one of the thousands that book a cruise on a ship in this part of the world. For you may be … Continue reading
Union Island and Tobago Cays
Standing on the top of tiny Mayreau by the little church, one can look out over Union Island and Tobago Cays, our last stops. Union Island is not as small … Continue reading
Petite Martinique, Petite St Vincent, et al
From the heady heights of Carriacou, we had a couple of days at the micro level. At the top of the island, there are 2 much smaller ones. For the … Continue reading
Carriacou
Part of the southern Grenadines, Carriacou is a small delightful island that is free of overt colonial influence. Very Caribbean, it’s people are so friendly and welcoming. (Memory of the rum … Continue reading
Caribbean carnage in Carriacou, or what happens when…..
A local bar decides to have an ‘event’ For the first time, it held a happy hour, laid on a chicken supper and music. Truth be told, we were a … Continue reading
Rum and Chocolate
We heard of an island institution by way of a particular distillery, River Antoine, or just Rivers to the locals. A warning was given by the helpful chap replacing our … Continue reading
A brief intro to Grenada……
Grenada has a more colourful background than many of the islands, so let’s start with an instant history which will help explain some current observations. (NB such brevity risks distorting … Continue reading
Do boats have an awkward streak?
The first law of boats is that if anything could go wrong, it probably will…. Conspiracy theorists would have a field day/week/lifetime, given that bits that are fine one moment … Continue reading
Freebooter comes out of hibernation!
After our 4 month stint in Johannesburg, it was great to head back to Grenada. Travelling light it was not, such that the absence of a working lift or … Continue reading
A Caribbean-style journey
In case I had forgotten to mention it, life runs at a different pace in the Caribbean. The journey back started with the failure of the online check-in system. After … Continue reading
Into Prickly Bay, and out of the water
There is something about the sea that undermines the ability of man to create anything enduring. Nowhere is it more true than for boats. As we start the great preparation … Continue reading
By St George…..!
Escape from St Lucia was achieved at 05.45 yesterday, at last. I am not saying we had spent too long there since arrival in December, but the courtesy flag was … Continue reading
An Unpleasant Surprise……….
As we started do do some chores on board, there was a faint smell that became evident when we opened the engine compartment hatch. The bilges were full of diesel, … Continue reading
Freebooter 