December 2009
Spice Island Marine - Grenada South Coast
I arrived back on Gypsy Dancer in early December to start a two week process of putting her back together prior to 'splashing' (launching). I was happy with her condition - dry with no insects and no damage apart from a layer of dust which washed off easily enough.
While ashore I had the cutless bearing replaced and completed a host of other minor maintenance and update jobs some with the help of Scott Watson (s/y Boxxer) a Canadian friend.
I launched in mid-December, anchored in Prickly Bay and continued to reduce the list of jobs down to just a few.
I'm also waiting to hear from Palm Tree Marine who are going to do some work on my engine to stop the persistent oil leak it's been suffering from over the last season.
This will mean booking into a marina for a few days - not something I'll enjoy too much as I don't like paying for dockage and there's an increased risk of cockroaches coming aboard.
On Christmas Day I entertained Scott and Larissa (s/y Boxxer) to dinner giving them a veggie Christmas meal of nut roast, mushroom sauce, carrots, pumpkin and green beans. The wine was provided by Scott and Larissa as was the chocolate for 'pudding'
On Boxing Day we all went along to De Big Fish restaurant in the afternoon for a jam session organised by cruisers who could play instruments - very good they were too.
The year ended with GD still at anchor in Prickly Bay waiting for the engine repairs and for Jacky's arrival in January. New Year's Eve (or 'Old Year Eve' as it's called here) was celebrated by watching the various fireworks displays set off round the bay.