The last weeks on Passages

Well the time has come for us to put Passages into storage and for Mel and me to start making our way back to Perth.

The last two weeks (Week 54 & 55 – December 22 to January 3) have been in Prickly Bay, Grenada, spending our time making lists, sorting out things, packing and cleaning the boat ready for the boat yard. There are a number of things that can only be done once Passages is in the yard.

In between doing boat chores we visited the Seven Sister Falls with John and Linda (Blue Moon), caught a mini taxi into St George’s and enjoyed just walking around and seeing the sights.

We enjoyed a lovely Christmas dinner at Prickly Bay Marina and then New Year on our boat. Linda and I both prepared something to eat and we stayed up to watch the many firework displays which could be seen from our boat, around Prickly Bay.

Mel and I had been watching the weather very closely as we needed to get down to Grenada Marina, in St David’s Bay by Monday 5 January as Passages was scheduled to be hauled out of the water that morning.

Christmas Dinner.

At this time of the year, December/January, the Caribbean experiences what is often referred to as the “Christmas winds” – original I know. These winds tend to blow from the NE – E at anything from 15 – 30 knots.

Where we were heading, Grenada Marina, is directly NE from Prickly Bay! We knew we would be easting, sailing directly into the wind. We started our sailing year by easting and we are finishing off with easting!!

The weather looked awful – well it was the wind, blowing at 20 – 25knots and the sea swells 2 -3metre swells were forecasted for the next week to 10 days!

Happy 2015!

We looked at the options open to us and Saturday was the best day to motor across to Grenada Marina.

I was dreading it, as I still do not cope very well when we have seas and swells over 2metres.

Saturday morning we said a sad farewell to John and Linda on Blue Moon and we headed out of the safety of Prickly Bay and into the big swells and wind driven choppy sea.

St David's Bay

Mel had to hand steer the whole way as the auto pilot was struggling to keep on course, while I sat in the safety of the companion way. I prefer not to see what is in front of us as one minute you can see the horizon and the next you are staring at a wall of water.

We made St David’s Bay in reasonable time – we thought it would take us at least 3 hours to motor the 8nm but we made it in 2 1/2hours.

Passages is scheduled to be hauled out of the water at 10.00am Monday 5 January 2015 where she will stay for how long… who knows?????

So here we are at the end of what has been an eventful year. We both have very mixed feelings about leaving Passages. We are looking forward to going back home to Perth and seeing our family and friends, to some of the comforts of home base living, but are also sad at leaving Passages in the boat yard as yachts/boats should not be on the hard, they are meant to be in the water!

Thank you to all of you who have followed our trials and tribulations this year. I hope you have enjoyed reading the blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it. It has been my therapy!

Who knows what tomorrow may bring… Mel and I have discussed many options and future plans but first things first, we need to top up the kitty.

Until we meet again whether it be in person back on land, or sailing the oceans of this amazing and wonderful world we live in, take care.

Wishing you and your loved ones, a very Happy and Healthy 2015!

Love

Captain Mel and Admiral Caryn/xx