On January 8 we sailed a short distance to Saline Bay, at the island of Mayreau which took less than an hour. Again we met up with Ken and Joan and had a nice walk together on the island, the highlight of which was a visit to the local church on one of the small peaks of the island. From there we had expansive views of the Tobago Cays and surrounding reefs. Ken and Joan invited us for dinner aboard Cat Away and we added Wahoo to their steak menu for some terrific surf and turf!

On January 9 we split tacks with Cat Away - they went north to Bequia and we went the short distance south to Chatham Bay at Union Island, SVG . What a lovely anchorage it was, and not crowded! The Bay is a semi-circle, rimmed on the windward (east) side by a continuous tall highland that could be the partial rim of an ancient volcano. At the water's edge is a long crescent beach, rimmed by a few tiny beach bars. We had a nice snorkel on the NW point of the bay. Deep drop offs made the location dramatic and for action we found our first ever octopus, who entertained us for awhile. We're glad to report that Dave had his camera with him this time and we’ve attached some photos and video of this elusive master of disguise under water.

The following day, January 10, was hectic and tiring. We left Chatham Bay early to sail to Clifton, on the south side of Union Island where we would need to anchor and go ashore to clear out of Customs with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Accomplishing that, we immediately set sail to Hillsborough on the island of Carriacou, to anchor again to go ashore to clear into Customs for Grenada . Since the anchorage at Hillsborough could be "rolly" for the overnight, we would not stay there. After completing the customs formalities we set sail again to the south side of Carriacou to Tyrell Bay to anchor and spend the night. All completed by 3:00 pm in winds blowing 20-25 knots the whole time. Whew! We could finally rest after a shower, dinner, and finally bedtime!

On January 11 we had a fast and fun, but lumpy sail from Carriacou down the windward side of Grenada. Most people would travel on the leeward side of the island but the downside of that is that the journey can be much slower with the wind being “blanketed” by the island. We never like to lose our wind and felt up to the challenge of the “rougher” windward stretch. We ran the course of 36 nautical miles in 5.5 hours, anchor to anchor, arriving at noon at Prickly Bay - one of several deep bays on the south coast of the island. Grenada is known as the “Spice Isle” and was our intended southernmost destination this year . Our arrival represented a significant accomplishment for us.

We anchored just a few feet north of exactly 12* N latitude. Prickly Bay is also not far from the island capital of St. George's--the population, commerce, travel, and tourist center of the island. There is a large cruising community in the southern Grenada area scattered amongst the numerous anchorages and marinas, many of whom have stayed or left their boats here over the hurricane season as their insurance carriers allow at this latitude, normally south of hurricane tracks.

At this location we were able to get some easy weather forecasts via the daily "cruiser's net" on VHF 68 at 0730. Oddly fitting, the weather forecast includes a tourist forecast - how many cruise ships will be docking in St. George's each day. "There will be three large cruise ships arriving today, so make your shore side plans accordingly."