WISHING ALL OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND
HAPPY NEW YEAR
FROM THE BEAUTIFUL HARBOUR OF PRICKLY BAY, GRENADA

Christmas decorations are sitting beside me quietly waiting to be displayed.
First though, I would like to tell you a little about our travels since leaving Salinas, Puerto Rico on Oct 28/08.
Vieques, an island in the Spanish Virgins was our first stop. Sails dropped, we slowly motored into Green Bay preparing to grab a mooring for the night. As I looked out across the blue green water \I suddenly saw the biggest, oldest Porpoise; complete with battle scars I had ever seen. He swam over to the beam of the boat, took a good close look at me dived and came back up just in front of the bow. I felt like an honoured visitor being escorted into safe harbour. He traveled with us for about a mile and then quietly disappeared beneath as we came upon the mooring ball.

By Nov 9/08 we had arrived in St. Martin after a night crossing of the Anegada Passage. After clearing in we found a small quaint café and sat at a bistro table with a view, enjoying French baguettes and fabulous coffee. Later that day after visiting the market we sat in our cockpit dining on grapes, assortment of wonderful cheeses, baguettes and of course a bottle of French red wine,… so delicious.

From St Kitts we did a night crossing to Deshaies, Guadeloupe then on to Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia, Bequia, Carriacou and here we are, Grenada.
We have collected many memories, enjoyed many interesting island sites and will surely go back to spend more time visiting them in the future. Especially interesting was St. Pierre, Martinique where Mt. Pelee had erupted in 1906 devastating the town and killing almost everyone.
I was thrilled to finally catch my first fish, a big red snapper, in Bequia, pretty cool!
The local peoples have been very warm and friendly throughout the islands… yesterday we went to the produce market in St Georges. Ernie already has a favourite vendor, Rhonda, who says she will take good care of him…
We have also met many friendly, helpful cruisers who always have time to chat and share stories…\I guess it is not just the locals who are on “island time”

Oops, the box is rattling, the decorations are getting restless, better get at it.

Merry Christmas to everyone,
Love to here from you
With love and best wishes
Kathy and Ernie
Stonecutter