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Cathy Manuel
Cathy Manuel

Cathy Manuel

📍 Saint Lucia Read more
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  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Anse Meunier

    February 21, 2024 in Martinique ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Up and had our coffee and writing before deciding to move. Mid morning we hoisted anchor and the boat in front of us had to move. We sailed (motored) around the corner to a bay but didn’t like how shallow it was, so we turned around and went to Anse Moustique.
    We went for a swim and then I had work to do, and Brian was hoping to do a pastel from the boat, but decided otherwise.
    We took the dinghy to shore and went for a walk to the other beach in the cove we tried to anchor in.
    Brian did a pastel and I went a little ways further and did yoga in my Canadian Underwear for an hour. My face in the sun on a little patch of sand and Lorena lurking in the distance … bliss!
    The roll was significant, so we got the stern anchor out and kedged a couple times when we got back, which settled it somewhat.
    Beautiful sunset and an okay sleep as the boat was being tossed about more than usual.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    La Dunette

    February 20, 2024 in Martinique ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Worked most of the day on the computer while Brian installed the heat shield over the exhaust riser. Also spent two hours on the phone to CRA trying to find out why the online portal was saying I owed nearly $20k, when I know I have paid everything up. In the end, after long conversations, turns out they owe me money! PHEW!
    We went for a little dip and talked to the boat in front of us, as it seems they may be overtop of our anchor and we plan on moving tomorrow. They agreed to move if we had trouble.
    We got cleaned up and then headed to Sainte Anne for supper. When we got to the dock, three people (Turkish) explained that there dinghy had been stolen and they needed a drive back to there boat, so Brian took them and all there groceries and I waited for him to return…. Taking some me time to meditate on the edge of the dock.
    We walked around and found La Dunette, where we had some water, coffee and a virgin drink as the restaurant didn’t start serving untill 7pm. We ordered (me Shrimp and Christopine and Brian Steak). We could see the dinghy dock the whole time and the sunset was beautiful. We had Panna Cotta for desert and then headed back to the boat. We found Lorena in the dark without much effort and retired shortly thereafter. Brian has been encouraging me to speak/ learn French so we have been reading Francis Ponge poetry in French ~ Pluie.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Hot spot

    February 19, 2024 in Martinique ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    This morning we decided to invite Kevin and Cindy over (as she was sick the day before), and then invited Bill and Maureen and a few from La Marin (that we didn’t expect to make the journey out ~ Joe and Edwin).
    Mid morning we headed back into La Marin but not without a hiccup. In the channel, we were going a little faster and the dinghy engine suddenly stopped again. We tried to restart without luck, but a sailboat was motoring past and flagged down another dinghy who offered to help. Turns out he was a Canadian from Quebec who towed us to the gas dock, where we refuelled, and gratefully the engine started again (perhaps water in the fuel tank from earlier rain).
    On land we wanted a heat shield (so we could utilize power from the alternator while underway), teak and wood to fix up the aft cabin and load up on groceries. We wanted to go to a bigger store, so we walked and walked to find it. Then we walked more to try and find the teak place that was closed (as most shops are for 2-3 hours in the afternoon). We walked back to get the dingy and brought it to the back of Price Leader. We had stopped in there to get some snacks and walked behind the building, to the dock, earlier to have a picnic of cheese, dates, ham, and pear. Upon our return, we went to the teak place (Caribe Menuiserie) but they do not sell teak veneer and suggested further south.
    We found Carrefore but food was more expensive and many shelves were still empty. There is nothing gluten free on the French islands… I am hoping to find some granola and hemp seeds in Saint Lucia as I’m nearly out. We went back to Price Leader to grab a few cheaper things (cheese) and filled the dinghy with 4 bags of groceries as well as a heat shield and large cable ties that we picked up earlier. The heat had gotten to me and I was simply exhausted (maybe heat stroke).
    We took it slow as we returned to the boat. I wanted a nap but Brian suggested a swim, so we did so. Then we decided to swim to Kalunamoo (Bill and Maureen) to see if they were coming over tonight. Maureen wasn’t feeling well, but Bill was coming (Kevin declined as well since Cindy wasn’t feeling good, as did the others).
    On the swim back I swallowed some water as I was so tired. We washed off and got ready for Bill.
    He is an interesting man, Brian gave him a tour of the boat and then he talked about his work in NYC, his love for sailing and journey to living aboard. Brian, sensing I was fading fast as was he, wrapped up the conversation and went below to take an imaginary call as I said goodbye to Bill.
    We grilled pork chops for supper, nice to have the grill working again, and then went to bed.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Sundowner

    February 18, 2024 in Martinique ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

    More boat chores today, glossing the window frames, reassembling the BBQ and work, work of chatting with Lisa G about FTHS, and also a therapist appointment (Sébastien) on Zoom. The boat next to us, Kalunamoo, who was also beside us in Dominica, came by and invited us over for a sun downer at 5pm.
    We decided to head into Saint Anne and explore the area, but as it was Sunday, groceries were closed as were restaurants, but trinket/ tourist shops were open.
    We wandered around and walked a big loop around the town, after Brian made a purchase of a bongo drum and t-shirt.
    With cautions of theft we have been locking the dinghy and when we got back we didn’t see it, but it was stuck under the dock, with rising tide. With little effort we got it out, but scratched the top of the engine.
    Back to the boat, went for a swim and did another coat of varnish on the window trim. I made chesse, crackers, fig jam, etc… to bring to Kalunamoo and we headed over. Another couple (from the UK, on a Moody) were already there. We didn’t stay overly long… the discussion was a lot about the weather system that had passed through, the chaos it caused and how salty dawgs and (Chris Parker — weather guru) handled it.
    We left and headed back to Lorena to have supper and watch the final bit of Mid Summer Nights Dream.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Boat Chores and bathing

    February 17, 2024 in Martinique ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

    We bought 24 eggs at the grocery store yesterday, so oueff’s for petite dejeuner was on the menu as we still had 6 left from Antigua.
    We wrote and sipped for a long while in the morning and I marvelled at my life, grateful to be on this adventure, in a beautiful place with a great mate.
    Then to boat chores. Unfortunately, I got sucked down a CRA rabbit hole where they claim on-line that I owe $14k….when I untangled it all, I realized I have already paid. Nothing like CRA to sour a mood and bring me to tears! Finally I let it go and got to work!
    Brian was sanding and glossing the window frames in the new windows, and I cleaned out the in-floor food locker in the galley that had beer and almond milk exploded throughout. I emptied the locked, washed it and let it dry out before reorganizing. I emptied the water from the adjacent floor locker, and then got to work at cleaning the BBQ (vinegar and baking soda work wonders) so we could reassemble…. It WORKED!
    The final chore (for today) was the AIS. We tried to factory reset the old one, but finally gave up and installed the new one. We now finally have a working AIS, which means that we can see all the boats around use, but also, they (or anyone who want to find us on this link: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/sh… ) can see where we are.
    We were supposed to watch the last bit of A Mid Summer Nights Dream before our rental time on Amazon ran out, but I striped down and slide into the water instead. Brian joined me briefly… first time in over 2 weeks that we went swimming. I stayed in the water and cleaned the white line along the haul and then scrubbed the dingy.
    A quick stern shower and then got ready for a gathering of the Salty Dawgs in La Marin. I actually got dressed up and wore a dress.
    As we headed back to the town we passed another traditional square sailboat with outriggers, and got some good shoots. We did a quick run to the grocery store again for some apple and pears, and then to Kokoorum for a meet up. At the table: Edwin & Karen, Joe & Mary, Laurie and Dan, Sheldon and Susan and Kevin & Cindy. Had a great chat with Karen, who has been in a relationship with Edwin for nearly 3 years and hasn’t given up her terrestrial life (New Jersey)… we talked a lot about values, it was great!
    All left except for Joe and Mary… we stayed and had super with them (I had a fish poke bowl). Interesting couple who have only been married for a year and a half, and cruising for the same (but together 10). We talked some of the challenges of being together 24/7 and how sailing pushes you to be the best version of yourself as challenges bring out the true colors. Joe profoundly stated that the key was to wake up each morning with a clean slate, Mary felt that open and honest communication was imperative, addressing things as they arose.
    Back to the boat, it was a 30-40min dingy ride, in the dark and shallows with a catamaran nearly Plowing us down. We forgot to turn in the anchor light so some detective work in the mooring field to find Lorena, but within 5min we found her. Back aboard it was cookie time and we resolved to watch the final 40min of A Mid Summer Night Dream. However, wifi wasn’t strong enough and the timer ran out…. So we went to bed.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Sainte Anne

    February 16, 2024 in Martinique ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Left Trois Ilets first thing in the morning and had coffee and breakfast in route to La Marin and Sainte Anne, where we hope to get the AIS fixed and finally check into the country. We sailed, well motored, as the wind was on our nose the whole time so we would have had to tack back and forth to get there. Unfortunately, in order to tack you need to furl the jib or stay sail and let it out on the opposite side, not conducive to efficiency, so we took the lazy way. We left at 6:45 and arrived around 11am. There were sections that had lots of pots so I got to sit at the bow and direct Brian through the maze, as we stayed close to shore for most of the trip.
    The anchorage is full, but we had no problem setting the anchor and are beside Kalunamoo (Bill and Maureen), former Salty Dawg who were also beside us in the south side of Portsmouth.
    We quickly lowered the dingy and attached the engine, something I’ve been doing since Brian hurt his hand. We made rounds to say Hi to a few boats and then headed into La Marin. It took us about 45min and we didn’t follow the red and green so got ourselves into some pretty shallow water, where we had to back track. On the way back to the boat the engine died, but we restarted, then it died again about 15ft from the boat, so we had to row and then Brian spent some time fixing it (water in the fuel).
    Earlier in the day we had a tiff as I was trying to clarify what Brian was asking me (about the water tank), he wasn’t understanding my words and then felt I got defensive when he went and showed me. Perhaps he was right. He is a very smart man and usually knows what the remaining of the sentence is, but often I am not looking to be right, just heard. This tension carried on throughout the day, getting shushed at immigration and ignored with regards to directions. When he is on a mission, my words seem to irritate. However, in the large scheme of things it is all minor and truly things that wouldn’t have bothered me before. I am either becoming more sensitive or I just care more about what Brian thinks of me, then others who have come before.
    All was resolved by evening. We found the Garmin AIS800! His finger is healing well but it is giving him pause for thought. We had been moving toward keeping the boat in Curacao and then Panama and heading across the canal at Christmas. Now, he is talking about going to the DR and having me fly to Curacao from there, and he will make his way north again, perhaps to Canada.
    Either way is fine with me.
    We did not find the BBQ piece and Brian put out a message on the Salty Dawgs WhatsApp group looking for a Ventura (part that we need). Later he remembered that he had saved pieces from the old BBQ, and sure enough, he had a spare.
    After super we watched another section of A Mid Summer Nights Dream in the pilot house (the Apple computer dropped but still seems ok)…and then off to bed. All in all, another beautiful day in the tropics ☀️🌴    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Virtual Yoga

    February 15, 2024 in Martinique ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Boat chores and work consumed the morning, alone with testing the video feed for tonight’s yoga session at Irishtown Community Centre. We also finished A Mid Summer Nights Dream.
    We then made our way into town…. And I drove the dingy. First time, and it went ok. It’s been awhile since I have used a tiller, and I wasn’t able to start it…. But with more practice I’ll get comfortable.
    We walked around Trois Ilets looking for a good place to do a pastel, wandered down a private lane, and found a mangrove that overlooked the water, in the area of the sinking sailboat. Brian did a picture in hast as a bugs were bad. We then got back to the boat 15 minutes before I had to log on to teach. Unfortunately, my phone wasn’t charged so I delayed getting on Zoom. My set up worked well, I couldn’t really hear (or see) others, but was able to teach between the gallery and salon. I gave everyone a quick tour while the Brian sat in the pilothouse during my class.
    After class we had a BIG salad, gluten free buns and burgers on the skillet. Then queued up the Michelle Phifer movie of Mod Summer Nights Dream and started watching it. We got 30-40 min in and I needed to go to bed.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Bungs and Bees

    February 14, 2024 in Martinique ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️
    I sent out all my Valentines and gave a nice card to Brian in the morning. We had our usual coffee and writing and then lounged about, responding to friends messages in the morning.
    I did some work on the computer for a few hours and also sanded down the bung holes on 4 of the 8 window frames, to prep them for stain, sealer and gloss.
    Brian made calls, trying to reach Garmin about the AIS and get replacement parts for the BBQ. He also did some sketching of the boat beside us.
    We decided to go explore Trois Ilets and find a spot where Brian could do a pastel. He usually likes to do it from the dingy, but couldn’t find a suitable place so we went to shore and walked around untill a scene caught his eye. He perched on a inconspicuous veranda and worked his magic while I sat on the curb and read. Carnival is still happening and today was black and while day, with lots of people and noise buzzing about. After he finished we walked further, stopped at a bakery and had a treat (I had macarons and he an almond croissant).
    We climbed back down to the dingy, amidst the people in line for the ferry, heading to Carnival, and started back towards Lorena. Brian encouraged me to drive the tender, so I did so…. It’s been awhile since I used a tiller.
    Rod Morris (#4 & 26) are the names of the batteries on the boat that are check often, and are usually around 20-40%. They don’t seem to charge when the engine runs, so the generator has to be running to charge them. We usually run it in the morning, and then while preparing supper. Tonight was Salmon (on the stovetop as BBQ is outta commission), Okra and French cheese.
    I returned to work for a couple hours while Brian continued sketching, talked to his son Ian (about his wedding, his AI paper and life as a lawyer), and his former nanny (who lived in his parents home till they died), Anita. It is always fun to listen to him chat with Anita in Spanish. They typically talk every Sunday but he called to wish her Happy Valentines Day.
    After I shut down the computer, I needed to get some air, as the rain had started earlier and we closed the hatches, so the cabin was getting stuffy. I went to the bow to admire the night view. As I sat down I felt a sharp pain growing in my foot and couldn’t understand why. Brian was coming to join me and said I had been stung, and helped me inside to a bright light. He got the tweezers and pulled out the stinger. We rinsed the area and put a cold compress on. Shortly after we headed to bed and read some more Shakespeare, trying to finish this play ….. saucy and audacious eloquence.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Carnivale

    February 13, 2024 in Martinique ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Up early to a loud party noise around 5:30am that continued for an hour or more. We realized it must be Carnival but didn’t know what part of it. We spent some time working and tidying up from the sail, washing salt off the windows and then we needed to head to the ferry dock and make our way to immigration. It was around 11:30am when we arrived and the ferry just came in. There was much of a line, but confusing over how to get tickets. We had to redo it at the kiosk, 7 euro round trip to Fort-de-France, the ferry waited and we headed over. Fun to take the ferry… last time I had a ride like that was 15 or more years ago in Bermuda. When we got in, it was clearly the start of Carnival and everything seemed to be shut down. We looked for immigration but was told they were closed and would not reopen untill Thursday or Friday. We decided to eat at Suzette’s crepes and had a great meal… with Brian encouraging me to order or speak in French. Then we explored around the town but pretty much everything was closed. We had fun weaving in and out, up and down around the streets, Brian talked to a biker gang/guys, who invited him to have a shot.
    We were going to head back to the boat but heard that the Carnival was goi g to start at 4pm (Caribbean time…lol). It wasn’t very organized, but we stayed and watched in the Center median for awhile… lots of people, particularly little kids, covered in molasses. It was Brides day…. The day in waiting… and lots of men dressed as women.
    We eventually bumped into people that Brian knew, Salty Dawgs, Barbara and Ted on a Catamaran. We talked about Brian’s finger and they invited us back to their boat for drinks and antibiotics. Back on the Cat we had water, and got some newer Neosporin to apply. We had chesse, dates, hummus and veggies and great conversation. They took us back to the dingy dock and we grabbed the ferry back to our very quiet anchorage of Trois Ilets.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler
    1

    Pre Valentines

    February 13, 2024 in Martinique ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Up and about this morning and saw Ashlynn’s photos of her getting ready to deliver the cherry berries on a cloud to all her friends. A few days ago I mentioned to Brian that I was missing all my friends and it was the downside to boat life. Inspired by Ashlynn I took the morning to sit in the V-berth and write a Valentines Day Card to Brian ~ Had fun coming up with names to describe him on the envelop. Also pre wrote notes to a bunch of friends that I will send out early tomorrow to convey how special they are to me, even when I am not around or in contact. It is amazing how gratitude, or even thinking about people I love, puts me in such good spirits. I was happy all day, although Brian was not feeling the same… still worried about his finger and frustrated with his art and the boat work.
    I dabbled some with work and then switched course and grabbed the chisel and hammer and started to remove all the bungs on the window frames. They came out easy, and I got better at doing it, although some had a lot of epoxy so it took ok big chunks of wood and varnish.
    There was a Salty Dawgs gathering at the dingy dock in Fort-de-France, so we decided to be social and join. It is red day at the Carnivale but I had none. We headed to Trois Ilet to catch the ferry over. We didn’t think we would get on as the line was SO long, but we made it, and off we went on this high powered fast boat, across the bay. We arrived slightly early and while waiting and looking for the Dawgs, a really intoxicated man covered in molasses was trying to engage with use. Finally we saw Bab’s and Tim — and met their friends Danata and Neil. Neil is an Emerg Doc so he took a quick look at Brian’s hand and said it was healing fine…. A relief as it still looks mangled.
    We chatted with Nikki and Barry, Tim, Sandy and Todd, Kathy and a few others before wandering off to glimpse at Carnivale and the loud music and noise. We didn’t stay long and headed back to the ferry line. It was really long and we waited 60-90min to catch the ferry back. It was a nice ride and actually a nice time standing in line and chatting. Brian is so knowledgeable about art and literature and has read thousands of books, so he always has a story to tell. On the ferry ride to FDF he was talking about trying to get the depth correct on his s etch of the boat and women beside us, and how to create more fore- shortening.
    We were exhausted from all the noise so had a quick bite to eat and I actually fell asleep in the chair.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    St Pierre, Martinique

    February 12, 2024 in Martinique ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Up at dawn after a good night sleep, even though I was nervous to sleep in our anchorage. We had a 10 -12hr sail today. At some points we were going 7-8knots and we made good time going on the westward side of Dominica 🇩🇲. The landscape was rugged and beautiful, passing some waterfalls and tiny villages. We crossed the straight to Martinique and were welcomed by windmills, rainbows and gorgeous green hills. We got to St Pierre at dusk and anchored outside of the town. We had tuna ready to grill after a long voyage… unfortunately, the propane and a vital part of the BBQ fell into the sea creating one frustrated captain. We through it on the skillet and it was just as good!
    The pitch and swells in the Bay is more than we anticipated. Should be an interesting night! It still has left over casualty from the storm as a sailboat is on the rock about 250ft from us. Hopefully it will calm as the town sounds great. It is at the base of a once active volcano, My Pelee.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Trois Islet

    February 11, 2024 in Martinique ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Rough night sleep, went to cabin crew and then to V-Berth to try and sleep as we rolled a lot. We were going to explore St Pierre area and hopefully do a pastel, but the anchorage was not great and the boat that had washed ashore and was crashing against the rocks, was disconcerting. Brian decided that he wanted to leave and go to Trois Ilets, so we hoisted anchor and went headed out. We motor sailed most of the way, and put our jib up as we entered the Fort-de-France harbour area. There was a race happening, so we skirted it and headed to the anchorage. Brian wanted to anchor close to town so he could do a pastel from the boat…. The charts said we had 16ft below so we dropped the anchor. It was about 60ft out when we went aground 😮. Luckily the anchor was able to pull us off the ground and get us free. We moved to a new anchorage that was quiet and set the anchor right away.
    Once we put everything away, we decided to look at AIS again as Brian wanted to get it fixed. We hooked it up to my computer and ran a diagnostic and update and it seemed to disable it completely. Initially we just were not transmitting… now we have no receiving.
    Lots of interesting boats around us that look derelict but have people in them.
    We had a nice evening in a quiet bay and went to bed early as both of us slept poorly last night.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Marie Galante

    February 9, 2024 in Guadeloupe ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    We stayed put during the storm and had a leisurely morning. We heard lots of reports of other boats not doing so well and crashing into shores in Dominica and Martinique. We were happy with our decision to co to a “gunk hole” an anchorage protected on all 4 sides… even though it was very close to shipping channels.
    We had to go into the Marina and check out of the country and pick up laundry. Typically it is $8-10US but it ended up being $65 and the clothes were not even clean (the sheets still had blood stains, that I spray shout on, from Brian’s finger). Katia was running late so we went to a shop and bought some shorts for Brian, looked for a heat shield for the alternator and a few things from Carrefour Express grocery.
    Back to Lorena and hoisted the anchor to set off south again. We deliberated with sailing all night to Martinique, but decided to stop at Marie Gallant at dusk. We stayed about 3 miles NW of Grand Bourg and basically dropped anchor in the sea (not in a bay as per usual)… the depth was 25ft and it was a designated anchorage.
    We had a nice 25 mile sail but the wind was cool and I actually had a long sleeve shirt and a sweater on the journey.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Pointe-à-Pitre

    February 8, 2024 in Guadeloupe ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

    Up early and impressed that we hadn’t moved much as we checked the anchor alarm. We chatted about letting out more chain given the impending storm and the fact that the winds were going to clock. 15 minutes later, I was in the aft cabin and Brian started yelling. Our anchor had come loose and dragged to within 5 feet of another boat. His quick response of starting the engine and me, getting the snubber off and lifting up the anchor, we bid sorry to our neighbors for the scare and tried to find another spot. We went around the corner to anchor but were not holding and worried we would hit the rocks by the muse sun. Then we headed across the fairway to Banc de couillon anchorage. Once settled, we headed back to the Marina to drop off laundry and then to take the dingy around the corner to Pointe a Pitre. We went for a walk and saw a sign for a museum of a poet that Brian was familiar with. We walked to the town square that was a big market and bought lots of fruit and vegetables. We then found the the Saint-John Perse museum and toured it, and then to the bookstore to buy his poetry and several other works French works that interested Brian. I got a nice gel pen.
    We walked around a bit more and then headed back to the boat. We zipped around to other boats beside us: Sara and Jay from Alberta on an Amel 56, Francis and Laura on a Jeunneau 38 from Boston, and a boat flying a Swiss flag and a guy named Rex that had 8 people on it. Come to Lorena for a Sundowner at 6pm.
    We got back to the boat and I had to work, and had a conference call at 5pm. During my call the winds started to really pick up (the storm we were waiting for) and I had to turn on the cabin light.
    By 6pm it had started raining and the winds howling so no one came and we ate charcuterie for supper. The anchorage felt safe and there was no swell, but the wind was howling so it was a bit scary to go to sleep in such.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Storms Coming

    February 7, 2024 in Guadeloupe ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    We had hoped to go to Trafalgar Falls but Brian has been nervous about the storm and sent out several email last night, on to weather guru Chris Parker. In the morning he woke to a message saying to be out of Dominica by today at Sundown.
    With that info, we made haste in leaving the anchorage in the early morning hours, around 7am, and headed 45 miles North to Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe. We anchored outside of the Bas du Fort Marina and got chased away by Stephane on the catamaran, and found a spot in a crowded area, close to the museum…. So many derelict boats around! We went to check in and hopefully get laundry. Issue with the Dingy dock and check in lead to lots of tension between Brian and I…. After a long walk, I cooled down and all was fine again. We went to get water and then decided to see if we could find a Doctor for his finger. Luckily we did and he got to use his French with people in the waiting room and the Doc. The finger looks ok and he suggested it was too covered up and gave a prescription for some antiseptic wash and special bandaids.
    After the Doctor we went to a restaurant and had lamb and duck in the waterfront. The same one that we bought water… and meant Steve (Aussie) and Anne (France) travelling on there Catamaran with plans to go around the world (with there dog) or at least the Straights of Timor.
    Off to the all to small dingy dock to travel back to Lorena. We are close to the slave museum which we may go to tomorrow.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Indian River

    February 5, 2024 in Dominica ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    NO sleep… I tried melatonin, the bed, the chairs, and the forward bunks. Too rolly with swells 2-3ft high and estimated to increase during the week.
    As we were writing in the morning (and drinking coffee) a green boat with the word “Blessed” on it dropped by. The guys name was Danny and he was selling fruit. We bought the remainder of his passion fruit and asked him to come back at 9am to take us to shore as Brian needed to head back to the hospital to have the dressing changed. At 9:20 he had not yet arrived, so we called PAYS and they sent Alexis. Both arrived at the same time and got into a dispute over who would take us. Brian asked me to decide, so I went with Alexis who arrived quickly and promised to buy more fruit from Danny when we returned.
    We walked to the hospital Clinic and waited our turn to get the dressing changed. The finger looked white, but better then I expected.
    We left the hospital in search of Wifi… no luck, so back to PAYS to get wifi and check into immigration. On the way, Brian was in a rush, but I found a tire swing on the beach and enjoyed a moment of my childhood! At PAYS I did a video call and some work, Brian left our passports with them to check us in and got some tour info. He wanted to explore and then leave the anchorage as it was bad (violently rolling the boat). We went to Fort Shirley in Cabrits and did a beautiful hike. On our return we saw Alexis who recommended that Calvin take us on a tour to Indian River, so we went back to PAYS and set it up. While there I bought tickets for the LionFish BBQ for the Salty Dawgs that evening.
    The Indian River tour, through all the mangroves was beautiful.
    We had Calvin drop us back to the boat after the tour and we hoisted the anchor and moved to the south side of the bay with no issue.
    We brought a lot fruit from Danny and got ready to leave, and locked boat up. Lots of other boats (Swiss and German) anchored nearby …. it was a packed bay by the time we left.
    We went for a lion fish dinner with the Salty Dawgs (it got pushed to 7pm) and had to be taken into the Indian River dock as the other docks were inaccessible due to the swells. Nice meal (lots of chatting with fellow Canadians Nikki and Barry) and back to a calm anchorage for a good night sleep!    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Hospital Visit

    February 4, 2024 in Dominica ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    At 2am, with 180ft of chain out, and sliding towards other boats, engine running Brian went to the chain locker to dislodge the chain…. He would yell up and I would let out a tiny bit more, as the foot peddles for the windlass wasn’t working. Finally we were clear of other boats but still needed to untangle more. I went below to help, each time getting more unstuck and letting it out, with the goal of getting 200+ out. Brian was operating the remote and we only had a little more left to reach our goal when he forwarded the chain while his finger was still in one of the links.
    The blood bath began, and it looked like he had totally crushed his left index finger. Getting out the first aid, ice and trying to Google “how to preserve a finger,” had my heart racing but Brian remained calm and collected…. Although very light headed. We still were not finished anchoring, so I had to put us in reverse and secure the anchor, and shut down the engine. I felt very I’ll equipped!
    At 2am, no one was available to help…. So wrapped and iced, in a very rolly port we went to bed…. Finger iced and elevated. At 6am we were up and starting to look for assistance. I redressed the finger as best I could and we started hailing other boats (our VHF doesn’t seem to work unless the Garmin is on). Our neighbors were awake and called in for us. Calvin and Fabien from PAYS came to fetch us and Fabien drove us to the hospital. We arrived to a waiting room but didn’t know what to do…. After 30min or so, we realized that we had to go to the end of a long hall and check in. Brian was as cheerful as he could be… we took the opportunity to hope on the scale (52 & 42kg) and then we’re quickly guided to a room to look at the finger (no x-rays on Sunday, so a visual assessment said that it wasn’t broken). They cleaned, poked many times with lanocane and then started stitching…about 12.
    The hospital room was bright pink and the window and doors open, with a guy outside wiper snipping and goats tied to trees. Once done, Brian was given a prescription and told to come back to get it redressed in the morning.
    I had brought coffee and food, which we ate in the waiting room…. Once done and out of the hospital we walked all the way down to Indian River, paused for awhile to have more snack, and pee as we could not find anything open to get coffee. We called the pharmacy but I don’t think Brian was able to reach in the first call and was to impatient to try again… no pharmacies in Portsmouth were open on Sundays.
    Eventually, we passed a coffee shop, but Brian was on a mission to get back to the boat. The lady was from Pictou County and had been in Dominica for 20years. As we were walking, we ran into the Salty Dogs who were doing a cultural tour. Brian and I chatted with them and eventually we ended back at PAYS where we thought we would check in with immigration but realized it wasn’t possible.
    We then waited at the dock to get a ride back to the boat and a couple from Fredericton (Laurence who used to work for the city) took us to the boat. Both exhausted, we grabbed some food and then laid down for a nap, but sadly sleep would not come for me. The boat was pitching up to 25 degrees and everything was noisy both in my brain and on the boat.
    We woke, read, I did some work…. But we were still having battery issues so wifi wasn’t accessible as it was an extra load. A shrimp salad, and then to finish untangling the chain, cleaning up all the blood and the dust (from zincing chain earlier in the week) and securing things on the boat as it was violently rolling.
    So grateful that Brian still has a finger and a great attitude…. Even when in pain!    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Travel Day

    February 3, 2024, Caribbean Sea ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Up and caffeinated, unveiling the last two windows in the aft a cabin before pushing off the dock at 8:30. We were prepared to be motoring most of the day but found some pockets of wind that allowed us to motor sail up to 7knots (vs 5 with engine only). Always exciting, however, it severely skewed our ETA.
    During the day we read, relaxed, chatted, watched whales from the roof of the pilothouse, put the bungs in the window frames, took in the marvellous sunset (had beans and wieners for supper), laid on the deck watching stars. Overall an absolutely beautiful transit, although the batteries were not staying charged so we had to run the generator at the same time as the engine.
    Our ETA became a problem as we were facing anchoring in the dark, in an unknown and crowded anchorage, at 1:30am vs 6:30am. Our first try didn’t hold, so we tried again (anchoring in 45 ft of water requires ALOT of chain)…this time the chain got balled up in the chain locker — and disaster struck!    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Last Day at working dock

    February 2, 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    The push was on today to get everything done! Two more windows finished up for a total of 6. Brian and I will still need to epoxy the bungs in to cove the screws in the frame… a job for another day.
    I had a meeting with Lisa G (FTHS) and with Andrèia in the morning, since the aft windows were getting the work, I headed to a coffee shop. I saw Lina and John (s/v Two Captains) again… they had stopped by with there dingy yesterday as they recognized Lorena on there was to the Marina.
    Back on the boat I chatted with Andrew (and ladybug) and Dad, and I had a grant to apply for and some tax/ payroll issues to rectified. Brian made trips to Budget Marine and checked up out at customs/ immigration. He then put the connector on the wash down pump hose and stuffed everything back under the V-berth.
    I went for a shower (always nice to not worry about water when washing my tangled hair). Then filled the water tanks … boat hold around 260 gallons when all full and washed down Lorena.
    We went to Epicurean grocery to provision again and hauled it back to the boat. Had some yummy hamburgers and started to get stuff ready for a morning departure.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Yoga and Labour

    February 1, 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Last night we briefly met with Nicholas and Maria at La Cantina (the Mexican restaurant on the water that Brian and I went to a few times). They were meeting with strangers that brought them a replacement ice maker from the UK…turns out that Brian knows them, Fiona and Chris (s/v Carioca). They are part of the Salty Dogs but had put the boat on the hard while away, and are splashing in today.
    Maria and I made plans to do yoga in the morning. It rained hard during the night and early morning, so we delayed till 10am. She came by the boat to grab wifi, download emails and then we walked to the marina lawn to practice together. Back to the boat and I helped the rest of the day as best I could as we had two more windows we were trying to squeeze out.
    We had pork chops that needed to be eaten up as we had defrosted the freezers and fond it wasn’t frozen. I made a salad as normal (or whenever we can get spinach and lettuce, and we had some plantains with it. This week I also tried Amaranth, and we would have it for both supper and breakfast. We were both exhausted and in bed before 9pm. Still haven’t finished Mid Summer Nights Dream as I am so tired by the time evening rolls around.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Work days & Lobster

    January 31, 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Ive had to lock myself in the aft cabin to get some work done, amidst the construction zone of windows being done in the salon and nav station.
    When I can, I go and put on coats of gloss on the bow, or dig the rot out of the window sills.
    Having shore power and access to unlimited water is great! The Marina showers are nice, but the boat also had a big shower with good pressure. After a shower on Tuesday we went to La Cantina and had some Mahi-mahi ceviche as a snack…. But then got eaten by bugs again.
    We tried the custard apple and the chocolate fruit. Both were great! The chocolate fruit was like scooping out chocolate pudding, delicious!
    On Wednesday evening we walked in the opposite direction, towards customs and Al Porto, - beautiful restaurant on the water. Brian decided that we would eat at the restaurant and it was so GOOD. We had Caprese, and a seafood chowder to start, and then Brian had a full lobster and I had lobster thermidor.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Windows and Rain

    January 29, 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Up early and on Brian’s trip back from the bathroom, found out that Chris’s kids were sick so he would be to the boat early. He started around 7:45, but rain persisted all morning…. Causing leaks inside the boat as the windows were open.
    We have been having a problem with aft head (back toilet), and when it’s pumped out it smells up the galley (kitchen) and salon (livingroom) area. The aft toilet is for pee and goes overboard, the forward toilet is for #2 and goes to a holding tank. We are trying to switch the aft to the holding tank to see if that solves the smell but the lever is corroded.
    All three windows out and the rotting wood dug out. Filmed my Yoga with Adriene video and posted to Instagram… haven’t been very active on Facebook or Insta.
    Went to Budget Marine and bought new glass and drug it back to the boat on a trolley. We also bought hose for the wash down pump but didn’t get the measurement quite right.
    It rained on and off all day so we popped the windows back in to keep it dry and prevent mosquitoes.
    Bread fruit was on the menu — Brian Roasted in the BBQ (and I accidentally dropped a piece in the water). It was good — definitely a do over.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Chores Weekend

    January 28, 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    It’s the weekend and Saturday I worked half day in my computer and then helped Brian with the chain (scraping & painting it). I took a long shower at the start of the day, and washed my hair (always a production requiring lots of water) - no hot water in the work yard shower, but I made do. Saturday evening showered on the boat, put on our long pants and shirts, not to be eaten by bugs, and went to the Curry House. It was a beautiful Indian meal! Sunday we decided to start stripping the bow sprit and got two layers of primer on before moving to clean the bottom of the dingy and dissecting the leak issue with the wash down pump (again).
    In the evening we went to the fruit stand again and got interesting things to try (along with favorites like bananas), chocolate fruit, custard apple and bread fruit. We also bought okra which I was excited to have with our salmon later in the evening. Then to Epicurean grocery to get more food. We have defrosted the main freezer and are using the top down one at the moment, but we didn’t buy meat so not much to freeze.
    Back home an exhausted, we ate, showered, and I fell asleep while Brian was reading Shakespeare. Chris will be at the boat at 8:30am and we still have prep to do on the windows before he arrives.    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    At my desk

    January 26, 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Decided to brave the mosquitoes and get more sunlight as I worked today. Brian talked to Chris and found out he would not be coming untill Monday morning, but was given some tools to remove the bungs and start the work. He did boat chores while I worked all day, and evening. He made a great stir fry and I was eventually done at 8pm. Along with the consulting work I am organizing 2 yoga retreats…. One in Curaçao for April 6-13 and one in Nicaragua for October 19-26th. Next week I’ll get the website up and start Marketing it!Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler

    Bugs

    January 25, 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Andy and Karen in the Catamaran beside us warned of the bugs and they were correct. The mosquitoes attacked me viciously! The good news is that we had shore power and are able to run the a/c on the boat and I can lock myself in and do some work.
    Was nice to chat with the offspring this morning on her daily walk. My Telus # and SIM is with friends an my call forward is to a virtual Canadian number so I can make and receive calls here. Unfortunately, not texts …. So I’ve learned that third factor authentication is a pain but most can be redirected to a phone call or WhatsApp.
    Brian worked in the boat all day, washing the salt spray off the windows, polishing the boat. I worked on the computer with the citronella burning beside me. In the evening we walked the Jolly Marina docks to look at boats and ran into some interesting guys at the end dock… Rick was an older gentleman that loves to chat and walked to the end of the dock with us, where a guy got off his catamaran and came over to give me a fist bump grateful that I helped him lift his 85lb Manus anchor from his dingy to the concrete beside Lorena, earlier in the day.
    We then walked to the fruit stand and the grocery store (with no bags), so only bought a few things… like Gluten Free shortbread cookies (what a treat to find in the Caribbean Islands)!    Read more

  • Cathy ManuelCaribbean is Calling (2024)Traveler
    1

    We Sail

    January 24, 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    The plan was to wait for a weather window, Sunday or Monday, and sail to either Guadeloupe or directly to Dominica. However that changed after Chris Whalen visited the boat. He was the carpenter who worked on the boat beside us. He explained that the teak on the deck would need to be redone and the windows as well. Brian wants to get the windows done and Chris had an opening next week. I pushed him a bit on timing and he said he could start this week, so we left Falmouth for Jolly…. But not without incident.
    We went to lower the davit to hoist the dingy but forgot to unpin the wind turbine, so we bent metal and pipes the support brace. We were able to grab it during a lull and tie it off to fix everything without the concern of being whacked by a blade. Finally we were ready to leave, but the anchor was resistant (enjoying its spot snug in the sand)…. But eventually it released.
    It was a quick sail with wind gust up to 35knots and mainly following seas.
    Chris and Arthur met us at the work dock to grab our lines and it was a bit tricky as it was blowing hard.
    Once settled we went the Marina office to check in and had a bite to eat at the Mexican restaurant. We later returned to the area in search of a shower.
    It was yoga and bed for me, but unfortunately the bugs here are really bad and my body was covered in bites in the morning!!    Read more

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