The Great Pool Fiasco

Have been a bit remiss lately with the blog what with settling into life in Grenada and getting the boat works started plus we have a problem with Nic’s computer which is the main one we use for storing photos etc so will apologise for the rather haphazard photos on this blog.

Well we have been in the house about 4 weeks and managed to drain the swimming pool almost completely.  There was a bit of a mix up in the valves in the pump house and the result was that when we got up one Monday morning Scott sleepily said “In this light it looks like the pool is empty”.  Upon closer inspection it turned out that this was no optical illusion but our pool had drained out into the Caribbean overnight.  Sam and Calley had fun playing soccer in the empty pool for a few days but now our pool guy Charlie has fixed it up.  We are now almost full again and Scott has instructions not to fiddle about with the valves.

Life here in Grenada is pretty good though and everyone is keeping busy and for the most part enjoying themselves.  The more time we spend in Grenada the more we like it.  The people as we have already mentioned are fantastic.  We have a lady called Sally Anne who comes in and cleans twice a week and each time she brings us treats like fruit or home made local dishes.  Out and about you do not find the same impatience associated with life elsewhere - when there are traffic problems people do not resort to the horns they just wait for it to get resolved, and at the cash registers the tellers will stop and chat and and give you information and the waiting customers rarely get irritated.  Generally the people initially look quite serious and it can be intimidating to approach them however once you strike up a conversation they open up completely and will do anything to help.

The island is beautiful and is perfect for what we wanted - it is not really built up anywhere like a couple of the other islands such as Martinique or Trinidad but at the same time is not too rural like Dominica.  There is a real relaxed feel to the island.  You can get all the basics here if you know where to look.  The more exotic stuff has to be imported but generally you can wait or do without.  One problem is getting some of the rarer parts for the boat but generally these can be ordered from the US and sent down.  We have had a couple of trips out and about and hope to do some more.

Grenada SW Coast Beaches

A couple of weeks ago we headed to the north of the island and visited a place called Belmont Estate.  This is a working plantation/farm where amongst other things they grow and produce their own chocolate.  It was really interesting and amongst other things they show you examples of the variety of the produce grown on the estate.  It is amazing - we were standing in front of a table laden with around 20 different fruits which all grow locally.  This was only a small selection though of what is available.  There is fresh fruit and vegetables all over the island and most of it has not been long off the tree or out of the ground and you buy it off vendors at the side of the road.  We still shop part of the time in the supermarkets for the convenience but make use of the vendors as much as possible.  It does make you wonder about the logic behind the global transportation of food these days - we have potatoes being shipped here from Idaho, for heavens sake!   

At the estate they also talked about nutmeg - essential ingredient in amongst other things a good pina colada.  Grenada is the first or second biggest exporter of nutmeg in the world.  The whole estate was purchased by a guy who made his fortune on the back of nutmeg.  We use it in cocktails but for little else at the moment.

The middle of August was the height of the Carnival here.  There were a few different things going on and we went along to an event called J’ouvert morning.  This is a carnival procession which starts at 0400 in the morning and goes on into lunchtime when the usual carnival parade starts with the dancing girls and floats.  During J’ouvert, however, the people get painted up primarily in black or other colours and dance behind a procession of trucks packed with sound systems, dancing and gyrating, completely oblvious to the world, as the convoy slowly winds along the shoreside road and into St George.  The music is really really loud and there is a fair bit of alcohol and probably some drugs involved although it was as far as we could tell very peaceful.  We got down at around 0530 and watched for a while.  Its quite a strange spectacle.  Depending upon which group you are in depends what colour you paint yourself then there is always the risk of being painted even if you are just a spectator.  One guy wanted to paint Calley but she declined.  Traditionally the guys paint themselves black and wear chains as it is we believe a celebration of emancipation.  Unfortunately the pictures we got are on the computer which I cannot access at the moment - I will post some later.

King of the grill Competiton on the island

So to the boat.  Although it was not strictly necessary we are taking the time out here to do some serious work on the boat.  Currently the boat is in one of the yard sheds and being repainted which is a major.  In addition the rigging is off and so the mast and rig will be completely serviced, cleaned, greased etc.  We are re-upholstering the interior to give it a new blue look and will be sanding the decks to take care of the rough worn surfaces.  The external brightwork will be stripped and revarnished as will some of the interior cabin sole boards.  There are a number of other smaller projects which are ongoing to try and iron out some of the smaller issues.  Hopefully by mid November we will have as close to a new boat as possible.  The yard seems to be pretty good although can be a bit slow at times (island time).  I will post some photos next blog for those interested.

Sam and Calley waiting for the call

Nic has done a great job in finding a soccer club for the kids so now its back to the usual Saturday morning soccer run.  We do not mind though as both the kids are really excited about playing again.  The coach seems really good and very organised.  In addition Calley starts school tomorrow and is beside herself with excitement.  She has already made some friends at the summer camps which she has had play dates with and she will see some of them in the school.  (Its a small island).