Free Spirits

Rolls for Breakfast: 4 Sep 08

Walter on Free Spirit

We woke to a beautiful morning, blue skies and calm-ish waters; and the sound of a lone motorboat! Walter on Free Spirit had warm bread rolls on offer – who could say no? We chatted for a while and like Banana Boy Nelson, he too had sampled the delights of Kens Cross, mon! Seems many serve on container ships to save enough to buy a boat (well, build actually) and start a business. Needless to say, we also purchased a couple of t-shirts….who would believe you? Out in the middle of the Caribbean Seas on a lonely deserted island? We thought about asking Walter if he took Visa, just for a lark!

Bruce making his own friends..

Business conducted, we took Bruce to the edge of the reef again and tied up to a diving buoy on the inside of Horseshoe Reef. At first I hesitated, but when Cap’n Snorkel stood up on a sandy bank, that was enough enticement to get wet! The water was soooo clear, it wasn’t especially deep and colourful fish were plentiful – in all sizes. It was like swimming in a huge aquarium. I did see a couple of medium-sized rays, although our trusty Cap’n had seen a leopard ray the day before, and a nurse shark!!! Rather than tempt Bruce’s patience yet again, the Cap’n towed me home to WJ3. I kept thinking about trolling and whether I might be considered a bit of a tasty dish dangling off the back of Bruce like that..… Deh sure make dem parrut fis BiiiiiiG out here, mon!! 

Isn't the water clear?

WJ3 headed back to Bequia and for once, the wind stayed to our advantage. We made excellent time and Bert performed like a star, even under pressure. One of those big inter-island ferries came charging over to take a closer look… Now where did we put that life-raft? And can I pack the camera/computer/cooking book/clean undies in time? The Captain gave us a hearty wave from his bridge window and several of the passengers also waved. The Motleys, now somewhat weak & pasty, waved back. Ho, ho…what a laugh!

Sailing by Tobago Cays

Just as we recovered, the Cap’n spied shoaling waters up ahead. Boy Wonder grabbed the wheel whilst the Cap’n dashed below to check the charts…. “Looks like big fish to me,” said GS (no glasses on obviously). “Its dolphins,” said BW, “on the hunt.” There must have been 100 or more dolphins in a huge pod, leaping through the water, not the least bit interested in us. One of nature’s true wonders (and too quick to photograph)!

Back to Bequia, back to Tony Gibbons Beach and back to Whistling Willy in No Complain rowing through the sea of switches.fr in his little skiff, hoping to sell hand-carved creations. Almost feels like home…

From:  Mayreau, Tobago Cays  Lat/Long: 12 38N  61 24W  Date/Time: 4/9/08: 1130

To:  Bequia, Grenadines  Lat/Long: 13 00N  61 15W  Date/Time: 4/9/08: 1600
Time Taken: 34nm (4.5hrs)  Distance (this year): 676nm (142.5hrs)
Distance Total (since 2008): 676nm  (142.5hrs)   Fastest Speed: 7kts**
Weather: Winds SE 10-12kts; 2-4ft swell; strong current 1-1.5kts pushing us westwards; fine day but cloudy; nice beam  reach.
(**Held for 2 seconds! And the award goes to the Galley Slave)