Sailing Log of a Mahe 36: Admiralty Bay, Bequia, The Grenadines

Sunday, 28 December 2008

Admiralty Bay, Bequia, The Grenadines

After a quiet day onboard on Saturday listening to the wind whistle around us and enjoying the next adventures of Jack Aubrey for me, we decided to take a walk on ashore on Sunday. We had been booked for a family Skype call at 1pm, so we set out early for Fort Hamilton which turned out to be just behind where we were moored. We put the dingy at the nearest dock, of which Port Elizabeth is very well supplied, with about 6 along the bay so you rarely have to walk too far with shopping, rubbish etc. We walked up the hill past all the colourful local houses, nearly all with tethered goats in their gardens. We didn’t see any roosters, which is probably a good thing as they wake us daily at 4.30 -5 am, but there are definitely quite a few locally too, plus dogs who also howl at night.

We saw the local two-bow boats which originate on the island pulled ashore and also several bery well kept sailing dingies which compete in the annual regatta. It being the Christmas period there was also quite a few people milling around at the plentiful local bars. We walked up the hill to the south western extreme of Admiralty bay to where the remains of Fort Hamilton sit over the entrance to the bay, previously used by British forces to repel American privateers and French invaders. It is apparently named after the father of the American constitution who was born on the small island of Nevis just south of Bequia. It really was a stunning view from the top and we got some great photos of Invincible at anchor and the bay. Whilst we were there two tourist minibuses also arrived, so this is obviously part of the standard island tour. There is very little remaining of the original fort, though a selection of canons are trained to sea I’m not sure if they are original. However, it was worth it for the view.

We had a walk through the town to get some pictures, though being a Sunday things were closing as we walked around so we headed back to the boat for our Skype appointment and a swim to cool off.