Arrived in Bequia, Pics to Follow

We arrived in Bequia yesterday around 1600H, but had to anchor 3 times before we found the sand and avoided the rubble. We actually sailed down the coast of St. Lucia on Saturday afternoon to break the trip up, anchoring at the surviving SMMA (Suffrier Marine Management Association) buoy, and enjoyed an excellent snorkel before sundowners and sleeping. Sleeping was so-so, with high waves and Cat Tales batting the buoy back and forth with its bows like a cat with a pingpong ball between its paws. Still, it was enough, and we set sail at 0615H on Sunday, with two reefs in the main and half the jib rolled up. The apparent wind varied between 18 and 27 knots and the seas were large and confused, but it really wasn't a bad ride with the low area of sail up, and the wind on the beam. We kept the rig the same behind St. Vincent, and still enjoyed an average speed of 6 knots in the more sheltered areas, primarily because of the flat water there; although the wind angle, on the beam also helped.

Interestingly, the seas were much flatter in the cut between St. Vincent and Bequia, even though the apparent wind was a constant 23 knots, and we were close-hauled.

We had planned to stop in St. Vincent and enjoy the island, but after researching it on the internet, found that boats are still being broken into, and not all people were that friendly. If we can't leave the boat, what is the sense? It is a shame the locals do not see the bigger economic picture. One break-in within the highly connected cruising society, and the average cruiser stays away for two or three years! One man gains around $200, but the community loses tens of thousands, maybe much more.

On our way in, the local photographer caught us in his dinghy, and took some photos. He dropped the proofs off this morning, and we're pondering whether and which to purchase. As well, we anchored beside the US flagged "Indigo", with Greg and Kathy aboard. We last saw them in 2009, when they crossed from Trini to Grenada with us. They stayed put because Kathy had some back trouble. We will have some catching up to do, when they visit tonight.

We called into the local VHF net this morning, announcing our arrival, and "Easy Listening", out of Lunenburg, NS, with Al and Michelle on board called us up. We last saw them down here in 2004 in Bermuda, waiting to go south. We have seen Michelle since in Canada, as she works the boat shows - She runs a sail loft called "Stevens Sails". Our social calendar will fill up.

We're hoping for rain to wash all the accumulated salt off the boat, but there is no rain in the immediate forcast! It is amazing how much salt piles up as the spray and wash falls and concentrates.

All for now, we're late for Customs and Immigration.