Brian Blue Bear

[ishtar]

In case of any more East/West confusion, Bri, follow the yellow thing in the evening, not the morning.

M.

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Arrived Praia Cape Verde a Party place again, only two Cruising Boats Here at the Moment, Us and Spanish Ninu 11 Seems friendly Fishermen Helpful as were the Port Police in Helping with our Visas, an Incredibly relaxed Atmosphere Great Local Food and Drink, will write more when I have a better internet Connection will be moving on soon. West I hope but our trip here saw All three of us Ill and Myself Sea Sick for the first time Squalls are no fun in a small boat... Forecast always looks good but not the same on the Surface, the Barometer doesn't indicate a Squall but a dark Menacing sky does we didn't see Sun for almost three days travelling here a top speed twice reaching 10 Knots! 7 knots avg which we slowed to 5 to Arrive First light.

[ishtar]

You are an inspiration to us all Bri. Louise and I managed 30 miles last weekend, and then I look where you are, and it makes me want to do the same. Keep it up, and stay safe, both of you.

[brian (Blue Bear)]

I feel some of the sailors amongst you will appreciate the Back of a Squall, the Picture really doesn't do it Justice since it has an incredible three Dimensional look.


We have had our rubber arm Twisted by some new found Friends Alex Argentinian and Chorrie,,,or,,, Henrietta Holland Ninu 2 they have been Sailing the Area for 7 years and have some great friends and Contacts their base is Sal but Most of the Sailors we met at Senegal were known to them indeed Gerard a guy who made things very easy for us there was a Firm friend of theirs which gave us an instant topic of conversation.
we Eat food with the Locals around 3GBP per person for a few beers and a meal fish or meat, great tastes


To end the Evening we visited the local beach bar with warm seas 26 degrees warm not too hot sand and a cool breeze


a Contrast to the Fish Harbour where the Fishermen's wives are all Busy preparing fish for sale,



we have been Invited to Sal by a Lobster fishing Boat Captain who says he will entertain us with Pleasure, but he will not return there for around three weeks, there is a Beach Festival starting here tomorrow with huge sound systems being erected but after that sailing around the Islands may be an option before visiting Sal pace here really is Slow and getting slower as we 'fit in'

[Cardiff Yacht Club]

If anyone hears any news on Brian and Sue, can they please post?

Cheers.

[allan]

I have just heard that Brian Sue and their son are in Grenada south Caribbean. No other details as yet.
Allan

[Cardiff Yacht Club]

Fantastic news, and congrats are in order. THanks a lot Al. Brian is very surprising isn't he?

[Deleted]

Wow, WELL DONE Brian and Sue!!

We all knew you'd eventually do it.

..so bring on the stories and photos for your many followers

Best Wishes
Peter and Elaine

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Left Cape Verde 25 of May there was no wind but we expected that to change and if not we could stop at the Islands further west so no worries. We were greeted by a few Pilot Whales around 30 miles off the coast which gave a really good show swimming alongside.

We had all the fishing gear out to catch our first fish hopefully a medium size Tuna??? we have prepared ourselves for storing any excess fish to prevent waste,
we Caught a few smaller fish which we released without harm







Don't Know the Species so would appreciate input from the more Knowledgeable Fishermen amongst you.

A weed floats on the surface for thousands of miles snagging fishing tackle preventing us towing a line




No more fish were caught for the entire trip,,,

The trip Itself was reasonably uneventful and slow for more than a week wind was of variable strength from less than force 1 or 2 but with much higher short gusts much of the time making sailing very unpleasant with the swell causing the sails to whip and slam with alarming ferocity at times Motoring was not really an option since the fuel we carry would be used mainly for charging batteries. Sqaulls happened frequently around 3 or 4 per day especially as we got further west, with more passing either side of us, thankfully only two occasions we had lightening to accompany the squalls the first passed to the South of us the second on both sides and astern of us, stars above us indicating we were out of harms way at least for that moment which was reassuring.
The Weather Dominated our trip to the point we were always on our guard ready to reduce sail quickly and we had plenty of Practice, when the wind was constant we were able to goosewing and produce excellent speed over ground (Nautical term,,, we were Sailing ) giving very comfortable sailing




Squalls generally happened in the Mornings with only the occasional lesser ones at night Night, but these were easily Spotted in the Night by the lack of Stars in the day easily seen, they develop behind us and move east to west.



We used these Squalls to gain speed they were so predictable we could see them develop in the distance behind us and their path east to west so Parallel with ours we could move into their path to increase speed from the 3 Knots or less we were becoming accustomed to to greater than 7 Knots.

With Constant high level Cloud activity





we kept a close eye on the Barometer all remained good though.

We Sailed South of Barbados to an absolute destination We would alter sailing tactics to arrive at Carriacou where Simon of Bird would be anchored waiting at Hillsborough an entry Port the first sight made the place look attractive but things only got better

[Matt]

Well done!

[simpleered]

;D ;D ;D
Absolutley amazing , Brian and Sue . I think the cruiser section will be booking you both on your return for many talks and lectures.I hope your adventures continue. You have certainly made a lot of like minded friends on your journey.Stay safe and keep the reports coming. Best wishes, Brian King,

[ishtar]

You should be immensely proud of yourselves, as I've said many times, an inspiration to the rest of us. I agree with Brian, stay safe, and keep the reports and pictures coming.

M&L

[Camelot]

Great news, glad you've made it. I'll definately be looking to book you in for a club talk, so take plenty of photos!

[sheila]

Inspirational! You're amazing.

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Our First sight of the Grenadines was Petite Martinique to the North of Carriacou

we sailed between the Islands with great caution since there are shallows and a long reef to the Port Side which is marked by a Shipwreck
Steve stays watch for shallows but its difficult to judge the seabed was visible in 30 metres.


Carriacou..... is a tiny Island above Grenada, as planned we met up with simon of Bird,,, booked in with the police and Customs which was the easiest so Far since they are both located at the end of the Jetty.. then Several Cold Very Cold welcome beers the first for several weeks warm water or Tea the only beverages left on Blue Bear. We began a pub Crawl and were Amazed walking into one bar to Find Suellen and Roscoe Australian Barrenjoey we last met in Las Palmas Incredible Luck they had arrived by Bus to check in also that Morning



The views from the Bar are Stunning with a few reefs and beaches offshore where the sealife is Protected no anchoring is allowed but mooring buoys are provided at a cost of 25ec





We Sailed around to Tyrrell Bay where there are facilities for Yachts and a wonderful Club To meet Barrenjoey and some new American Friends we met at Hillsborough via suellen and roscoe


The Yacht Club


Anchoring there is Free but the bars and Restaurants were expensive,
Catching fish has not been successful to date but the local Fishermen sell cheap Fish they deliver early morning so fishy Breakfasts are in order



We are out of Season so strong winds and heavy rain cool us quite often

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Had Some interesting sailing Moments over the last few days with the Passing of the latest Tropical wave.

We have been sailing between Hillsborough and Tyrrell bay a short trip Good internet in Tyrrell bay and good bars and Locals in Hillsborough.

Caught in the worst of the Weather in Hillsborough winds 18 to 20 Knots Gusting 24 to 25 while ashore in our local the barmaid asked Simon is he Moving his Boat, why he asked? she replied because its moving, it was moving at such a rate we thought it had broken it´s anchor we raced to the dingy 2.5 hp hoping to catch her as She passed Bluebear, thankfully we caught her and relayed her anchor and setting a second anchor the anchors a CQR which slips quite readily at Hillsborough and a Danforth which had held quite successfully up until then. I use a Danforth which also slipped in some Gusts we had when we first arrived but relayed itself successfully as we were also ashore we both hope to purchase alternative anchors at Prickly Bay before moving on since we both had such a Scare 500 GBP for a Rocna does´t seem so expensive now.....we Sailed To Tyrrell bay for better holding as gusts increased in strength, the gusts have an incredibly variable direction shifting 90 degrees or more in seconds causing some scary moments while sailing but all Seems good anchors holding,,, as soon as the wave height drops Sat/Sun we will move South,,,,, MAYBE try a Marina..

[Martyn & Sarah]

Hi Brian and family
This is Martyn and Sarah of the little blue boat . Fair play guys what an excellent adventure and only just into it. Great pics and stories , my tip on the fishing is dynamite like "crocodile dundee". Im no expert but they are attracted to light on the boat at night time, we used to hang a small gill net off the boat but thats probably illegal now. Stay safe and good luck

martyn & sarah

[Deleted]

Hi Brian i try to keep up with your travels and have got onto Cardiff yaght club but as usual have to find my way around,will keep looking and i see you are in the carribean [no cider] colin

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Thanks Martyn we remember you from Dale and we keep up with your racing achievements on the site....Fishing.. the locals use lights and nets but these were caught in a large basket much like the ones used for lobsters



Hi Colin the Cider will taste all the better when we finally find some Ice cold Carib is the local speciality but 5 dollars ec a bottle not that cheap

Bird taking an inside line to beat me but he didn't

[sheila]

Great stories and great pics as usual Brian.

[brian (Blue Bear)]

at last!!! moved from shunting between Hillsborough and Tyrrell bay to St Georges on the south east cost of Grenada, Good sail wind in our favour but light around 30 mile trip took around 8 hours stopping to do a little fishing on the way, more to follow..

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Finally in a yacht club Marina WHAT HAVE WE BEEN MISSING!!!!!!

Arrived in the evening and anchored outside port Louis for the Night and checked out the Yacht Club GYC Grenada yacht club,




I found space and booked in reasonable fees and all the facilities we have been missing for so Long we moored alongside in what little space they has left we were then greeted by a Couple now From Fishgaurd with the words Bore da



Great shower the last fresh water shower we had was in Senegal,
Water and Electricity on the Pontoons no more carrying heavy Containers and a fuel Berth all take for Granted in Europe.

We were blessed with unbroken sunshine on the trip down but overland the story was a little different





the Club has the usual display of Burgees which included a CYC but not our Burgee
pictured below


I left Tyrrell Bay after checking out the Mangroves which is one of the few places with some protection against the dreaded Hurricanes but the outer area where boats with a draught of more than 1.5 shelter is still left with remains of the last Hurricane.





but with a Draght of 1.4 the inner Mangroves are much more sheltered and Large enough to take many Boats.


Lucky enough to meet a Fellow Welshman From Milford Haven Ian who we noticed because of the unusual place the Welsh Dragon was situated on his Boat Celtic Spray

[brian (Blue Bear)]

weather technically not good thunder Lightening rain and lots of sunshine in between but temps always above 28 degrees but thankful for cloud cover we love it, Sea temps range from 28 degrees (normal) to 30.2 degrees (hurricane producing) even though there are no Hurricanes in this area we still have tropical waves (sudden wind changes and heavy rain) which last around 10 mins to a hour. We went to the Fishermans festival Wednesday every other stall sold Beer Three for the Price of Two, the stalls between these sold food of all Kinds but Mainly BBQ... Huge speakers in the streets Everyone was drunk and no Trouble... what a Party!!!! Tonight a Steel Band Competition with Competitors from all over Grenada, further Street Parties will Continue until the 29 July and it´s not Expensive...

[brian (Blue Bear)]

We are going to spend some time cruising sightseeing Grenada seem to fit in here and the place ticks all the boxes..

Met the New Zealand Couple that I mentioned in a previous Post, when we last met they were sailing a boat to Cardiff Bay it seems they transported it to Cardiff and found a few more jobs in the Area before finding a Position Sailing a Boat from here to the UK It was an incredible Surprise good on Joe and Jo they are sailing rings around us!!

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Thought I'd add a few thoughts for onward travel, as Most people know we are in Grenada and are contemplating moving on... been chatting amongst fellow Sailors and the choices are pretty Limited all say the top of Venezuela and outlying Islands are areas where Pirates attack Yachts Mayday is useless as the authorities fail to respond and even if you offer no resistance they still beat or kill, too incredible to believe until I met the owner of a boat who had been through the Ordeal this sailor now lives in Guyana.
the options seem to be Sail through the Caribbean north of the Islands well offshore, travel in Rough seas the Pirates boats are apparently unable to move quickly in poor Conditions, Go to Tobago then Guyana and sail against a 1.5 Knot current with winds from the south but move down a much more friendly east south American Coast

The Choices are difficult since we are at the start of Hurricane Season so offshore trips will have to be very carefully planned due to the frequency of tropical storms, sailing in the poor weather will allow the use of the Islands because pirates stay at home and once in the Marina we will be Supposedly safe...
If I go South to Guyana I will have wind and tide against me for 1000's of Miles and If I was to pass into the Pacific I would have to round the southern most tip of one of the Continents the most reasonable being Africa It seems to give me favourable winds and tide.....passing through the Panama Canal apparently will cost me around 2000 USD but a much better passage once passed Venezuela we'll keep discussing it here.

[sheila]

Whatever you opt to do Brian, make sure we read about here on the forum and not in the newspapers! Good luck and stay safe and keep sending these fabulous accounts of your adventures. Sheila & Vince

[ishtar]

Jul 11, 2011 17:35:16 GMT sheila said:

Whatever you opt to do Brian, make sure we read about here on the forum and not in the newspapers! Good luck and stay safe and keep sending these fabulous accounts of your adventures. Sheila & Vince

I don't think that was ever proven, Sheila. The goat was returned to the farmer unharmed, and Brian got off with a warning, after he said that the rubber gloves were needed for picking mushrooms.

;D

[sheila]

What ARE you on about? Have you finally flipped Martin?

[ishtar]

Just my feeble attempt at a joke. Never mind.

[sheila]

Well, it certainly went right over my head. I'll get you to explain some time!