Prickly bay – Grenada
Week 20-28 June 17
The week went so quick; don’t know where the time goes. Once the storm had passed and the weather had settled, we moved from the buoy and anchored, saving the pennies . We put the boat back together, everything we had tied down, stowed away and secured went back on deck. The weather soon reverted to blue sunny skies and we were able to resume our little routine of doing a few jobs in the morning and taking it easy in the afternoon, swimming, reading, watching sunsets, with occasional trips to shore, shopping or to the Tikki bar to access internet.
We had our American neighbours, Francine & Al (Time After Time) on board for sundowners, they have been in Grenada a few times and were extremely helpful with their advice and tips. Love the little dog, Mizzen. They mentioned that they were going to the Hash on Saturday. We had heard about the Grenada weekly Hashes, apparently very popular with cruisers and locals alike, with well organised trails for both running or walking in different locations every week. That was the highlight of the week. The Hash took place in the north of the island, so we all piled up in Shademan’s van. In addition to Francine and Al, we met Ron and Nicole, from Fairy Queen, a Bowman 45, Dave and a German guy. It took us a good hour and a half to get to the start of the hash, near Gouyave on the west coast. Nice drive along some pretty steep roads with stunning views of the sea. We went through few small villages, the most picturesque being Gouyave: we could see it from the top of the hill, jutting out to sea. Colourful houses and church spire on a backdrop of blue water and green hills.
Reaching the meeting point, we are in for a surprise, many cars are parked by the side of the road and loads of people are milling around. All ages, sizes and nationalities, many of them Grenadian. It is obvious that we have some very serious runners and trekkers here, as well as young families, kids and teenagers. Great atmosphere on the field where we are all gathered, we have a bar here and food is being prepared, music blaring out. We have to register our names; I like the idea that someone will be checking us out at the end of the day. The newbies are counted, a good third of the hundred people assembled there. A lady is doing the round, looking at shoes and asking if they are new….she has 4 right boots in her hands already, all brand new. Francine is relieved of her new boot too and she explains that if you have new shoes for the Hash, they need to be christened and she leaves it at that. Soon a young lady jumps on the tail of a pick up truck and harangues the crowd, a real pep up talk, everyone cheering and clapping. Safety first, then the trails. There will be 3 of them, the walking, running and Iron Man trail. All signed posted, with piles of shredded white paper. There will also be volunteers along the trails to direct and assist if necessary. All seems pretty safe and practised. Should be all over in 1 hour and a half, 2 hours at the most, but given that it is already 4.30pm there is not much time to dawdle!
And then we find out about the right boots lined up at her feet… they are filled with beer and the owner must drink the full bottle out off his/her new boot. I am extremely impressed by Francine, who does not flinch and does as she is told! Respect! Glad my shoes are not new, apart from the fact that I can’t drink beer, it would feel sacrilege to fill shoes with it!
And we are off, well what a sight, over hundred people squeezing themselves on a narrow, steep downhill path. The runners are at the front, the walkers in bunches behind. The path is made even more slippery with wet patches and squashed mangoes underfoot. I settle myself behind an American lady who is taking it very slow and easy; we even have time to have a chat.
Up and down in bamboo forest to start with, we soon reach the fork in the trail, runners one side, walkers the other. We opt for the walkers, nice wide path bordered with banana and cocoa trees, surrounded by high mountains on the left and deep valleys on the right. Three little French boys are running around, squealing with delight. I fall into conversation with the parents as you do. This walker’s path is not very long and before we know it we are back where we started. We decided that we have not had enough exercise and we could probably walk the runner’s trail, now that they have all disappeared. Back up, pass the waterfall, across the river, we are now alone, for a good chunk of the way, until they all come out of the woodwork, in small groups, all running. Still not tempted to make a dash after them! The trail narrows considerably and then goes deep into bushes. It is wet underfoot and slippery when we start climbing. We have not seen anyone for a while and as per usual, Ian is doing his time/distance calculation. We started about an hour ago, just turned 5.30pm. It will be dark in another hour max. So we turned round. People still going up though, still running, a few walkers too. The walkers are soon back, the stewards have sent them back down, not enough time before dark to complete the circuit. We find a number of bodies cooling in a small pool, by the river; again, everyone is chatting and laughing. It is real nice. We have a little rest at the waterfall where we find the French family. They have been swimming and Baptiste, the 7 years old, is telling me all about it.
Back at the meeting point, the bar is now open and plenty people are back making the most of it. Ian is the first in line for food…surprise, surprise! Finger licking delicious BBQ chicken, who can blame him. And our favourite, the sweet potato cake, spicy and gingery, beautiful.
All the newbies are called to attention, we have certificates to pick up, off course, we need to do silly stuff first. ‘Simon says’ style, they had us all lined up, on our knees, with one hand raised, and before we know it we are showered with beer, obviously cheap as chips here! Well, I bolt straight out of the way. Obviously they have not read the memo, if I am to be showered in any kind of alcohol, it will have to be champagne! Ian is not so fast, he gets drenched. You can imagine the stench! More high jinxes, involving beer, toilets seat and pipes…all in good spirits. We had a very convivial evening, chatting away well into the night. Back in the van, we are making our way back. The bus is abuzz with conversations; Ian has been cornered by the German guy who does not shut up. He was so quiet on the way up, amazing what a few beers will do. There is something going on in Gouyave, a Carnival by the look of it, music and kids all in fancy dress. All the villages we pass are quite busy, people milling around, music in every corner, it is Saturday after all. Night cap in a rum shop by the side of the road. Amazing, they have anything and everything in there, from mops to tined food to booze and sweets in jars. More blah blah blah. Brilliant day and evening. I am sure we will be doing more of them.
Ron & Nicole are organising a hike in the Grand Etang forest reserve for Wednesday, they have a few people together, so we put our name down for it too. Something to look forward to.