Oil Down

Carolyn and I have been wanting to go to an oil down and our chance came last week. A trip was organized by local cruisers to go to a local oil down and visit a nearby water falls on the way. We had a great time and ate plenty. Along the way we stopped at a local rum shop and had 3 beers for 10 EC (almost $4 US). Then off to the falls. The falls were very pretty and everyone had a dip, the water was actually cold and felt good.

Concord Falls

Oil Down.

OK, it doesn't look like much but it is actually very good. I had a talk with one of the cooks, Kisha, and she explained how it is done. In a large pot goes grated coconut and turmeric (known as saffron here in the West Indies) then meat (chicken usually), dasheen, breadfruit, other tubers if available, large dumplings and all of this is covered with callalou (a type of edible greens that looks like elephant ears) on top. Enough water is added till about half of the ingredients are covered, then it is covered with a lid and brought to a boil.
The coconut produces an oil that floats to the top and when it cooks long enough for the oil to mix into the rest of the ingredients (the oil goes down, hence the name oil down), it is done.

This oil down was done on the side of the road next to .... Yep you guessed it ..... a rum shop.

You've just got to love this place.

Kisha, one of the oil down cooks.

Grenada Holiday

It has been rainy almost every day, nearly all day. We finally had a break in the weather with some sunshine so I managed to do a few repairs including a trip up the mast to change out the navagation and anchor bulbs. Here are a few pics of what has been going on between sqwalls and thunder storms.

Thanksgiving dinner at Clark's Court Marina in Clark's Court Bay.

On our way to Clark's Court Bay from St. David's Bay. Dink is keeping up very well.

In St. David's Bay getting ready to sail west to Clark's Bay.

We went to Fish Friday in the fishing village of Guave. We had things like tuna on a stick, fish pizza, fried fish and coconut shrimp. There were all kinds of other dishes available also.

There was also plenty of cold beer available.

Grenada update

OK. Here are a few pics on the new camera. Seems to be working.

This is Grenada Marine from the bay. There are first come first get moorings on the west side but we chose to anchor on the east side of the bay because I found it less crouded and less rolly.

Apartments just on the east shore of the bay. These cottages rent for 600 US normally, but go for 140 US during the off season (like now).

The huge travel lift used by Grenada Marine to get all manner of boat in and out the water.

Here we are snug and secure just after we completed our bottom job.

Like I mentioned before, Grenada Marine and St. David's Bay is surrounded by high terrain and is very safe as a hurricane hole. But that same blessing becomes a real task when you try to do work on your boat yourself. There is very little breeze and it can be buggy.

Back in Grenada

Howdy to all.

Carolyn and I have made it back to Moondance after a 5 month visit back home in La. Grenada Marine (the boat yard in Grenada where we left Moondance on the hard) is OK. We were put well up into the yard a good distance from the water. This was good for hurricane season but not so great while we live on the boat and make repairs. It is hot, humid and nothing of a breeze except just before a rain.

The good thing is most everyone is very nice and helpful and the marine store is in the yard with most everything you could need. We should be finished with the fiberglass work (nicks, cracks, and filling in the holes left behind when I removed the old knot meter from the bottom of the boat) and the bottom job tomorrow. Then we start on a water tank leak and getting the engine back to it's prime. It will be nice to be back in the water. I'll take pics tomorrow.

Hurricane Season Count Down

Carolyn and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time back home with family and friends. We visited almost everyone and even made some new friends. We even had some friends that came over and visited with us. We look forward to getting back to Grenada and starting another cruising season and meeting old friends down there. We will get Moondance ready, including a little fiberglass work and a bottom job and be in the water as soon as possible and hope to take a few pictures of the process.

Yes, we purchased a new camera, so updated pics will be coming with our blogs. We hope to cruise back up the windward and leeward islands again, visiting some of islands we missed on the way down the first time and revisiting some of our favorite islands again. We have friends, Troy and Deana, and Steve and Pam who plan to get to the Dominican Republic by hurricane season next year and into the Windward islands the following cruising season. That means we will have to spend two more seasons in one of the worlds most beautiful cruising grounds, "life is good."