Back to Grenada

Well we finally pulled the plug and decided to get back to the boat! We have agonized over making this trip in a pandemic, and eventually decided that we could do this for a couple of reasons. First, we are still allowed to. Second, it is a trip to our other home, not a vacation. And third, it is there and there to stay – not there and back again.
So the requirements to make this trip are quite a bit different than when we started this adventure in 2019. To get to Grenada we are having to fly to Barbados first as the Grenada route is one that Air Canada has dropped. Then a local airline from Barbados to Grenada. To get on the plane at all we need to get permission in advance from both the Barbados and Grenada authorities, as well as a covid test with negative results within 72hrs of arrival, and proof of a 10 day booking at an authorized quarantine facility. When factoring in flight times, and lead times to get the test conducted that leaves about a 15 minute window of time when it all comes together (I exagerate, but not by much!). The timing is further tightened since we have the connecting flight from Saskatoon to Toronto to do first. But as I type this we are sitting in the departure area for the Toronto to Barbados leg, so it seems to be working so far. After we get to Grenada, there is the medical people to get through, then the usual customs and immigration formalities. The Grenada government has set up dedicated covid safe taxis that will then take us to our quarantine hotel where we will spend the next 10 days having food dropped off at our door. On day 4, the authorities come by and test us again.
For our luggage, we are mostly travelling with boat parts, and a couple of pairs of underwear. Four 50lb duffel bags and our carry-ons. (an aside: you are all welcome to join us on our boat for a visit – we only ask that you bring boat parts with you instead of clothing! And we are serious about you are welcome to come visit us – just let us know). We have even packed a 3-d printer! There were several times in the last part of our trip where being able to make a replacement piece would have helped out.
Right now Adiona has been moved by the boatyard over to the sandblasting shed where they are blasting the bottom paint off down to the gelcoat. There are 10 to 15 years worth of bottom paint built up, and it has started flaking off in sheets. So after we get out of quarantine we will be repainting the bottom, starting with an epoxy base primer, then several coats of bottom paint. Other work will involve getting all the mold off everything inside, replacing the nav station panel, replacing the VHF radio, re-running the antenna cable up the mast, re-mounting the sails, replacing old running rigging, engine maintenance, roller furler maintenance (might have to replace a bearing), checking out the new dive compressor, and generally getting everything re-commissioned for going back to sea. We will no doubt find a few things we had not anticipated that need to be dealt with as well. The joys of boat ownership!
After we get re-floated, then we need to decide where to go. No idea right now, but the most probable path for us is to start heading north to the Bahamas, stopping along the way at a couple of islands. Other potential destinations include back to europe, or to Colombia and Panama. We will just have to see.
It has been a couple of days since I wrote the above, and we are now in quarantine in Grenada. The place Maggie found is spectacular! We have a private beach, large balcony overlooking the ocean, access to two other large balconies (or is it three).

Anyways, I can think of far worse places to spend 10 days in quarantine. Our actual trip here was pretty uneventful. The most dramatic part of the trip was having to move the cream cheese from the package to the bagels to get it through security! The local authorities in both Barbados and Grenada were very thorough and careful. There is a very good reason that Grenada is currently covid free. It was also interesting to travel from Canada and be identified as ‘high risk’. That is something that we Canadians don’t usually experience.
So now we are just working remotely, and lining things up as best we can for when we get onto Adiona in 8 more days. On monday I will start calling the local boat shops and get the specialty epoxy barrier paint and bottom paint lined up. Also need to get some wood panel to replace the nav station, and find an electronics tech who can test our antenna installation. Lots to do.