Sunday, October 20, 2013

Change in Itinerary

For those of you who do not know, our plans have changed.  Originally, we figured we’d be in Panama by now and waiting our adventure through the Panama Canal.  Then we were going to head north to either California or Seattle.  We’ve reconsidered.  There have been many issues to ponder … such as safety, security, maintenance, upgrades we’d like done, dental issues, condo issues, etc.  All of these added together made our decision rather easy.  We will head back to the east coast of the US.  State-side, we will be able to more easily achieve the tasks at hand AND we will work to replenish our cruising fund.  We are not sure yet where we will find work so our return location is unknown at this time.  We just know that it will need to be coastal since we will still live on Soulmatie while we are land-based.
Shortly, we will begin the trek north, exploring our favorite spots or those islands we blew by on the way south.  We hope to be back state-side in either late December or early January but it will be completely weather dependent. 
Hope to see you all soon.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Even in Paradise, Life isn't Perfect


SV Soulmatie has spent the past 2.5 months anchored in Prickly Bay, Grenada.  We have left for short excursions to explore surrounding bays but have always returned, anchoring within feet of our original spot.  Boats anchored nearby have called this part of the bay home for months/years and welcomed us.  We have felt safe here; a great anchorage, with great neighbors. 
So … it is with deep disappointment we must report this news. 
On Sunday, October 6, 2013 SV Soulmatie was anchored off Calabash Beach, in Prickly Bay, Grenada.  We (Larry & Tracy Lambert) left our vessel (via dinghy) at approximately 1:45pm and headed to Prickly Bay Marina to join fellow cruisers in a game of Dominos.  The vessel was secure; all hatches, ports, and companionway entries locked.  Nobody was told where we were going or how long we’d be gone.
Sometime between 1:45pm and 4:30pm, Soulmatie was boarded.  Our forward companionway was forced open.  The teak trim was chiseled and damaged to obtain access to the metal locking bar.  The metal was bent until the secured door opened freely.  An unknown number of intruders entered our vessel … our home.
We returned to Soulmatie around 4:30pm when we discovered the crime.  Cash and electronics valued around $2K - $3K were missing.  This included two Kindles/chargers/leather cases, Canon underwater camera/case/memory cards, IPOD/IPOD speakers, and various other items … but most importantly, two Acer notebook computers.  For those of you who have read our blog or e-books, you know these computers are barely 3-months old … purchased during our time in St. Thomas.  These computers are our livelihood.  We are documenting our cruising adventures and all our financial data, files, research, etc were on those computers.  Our life was documented on those computers.  Also, we were both near completion of our next fiction novels.  All data was backed up between the two computers.  We had no reason to think our computers would be stolen and naively trusted Prickly Bay, Grenada to be a safe and secure harbor.  We were sadly mistaken.  Our next book in our cruising series was to be “A Safe Harbor - Weathering Hurricane Season in Grenada”.  All the research and prep-work is gone.  Now what do we write about this beautiful island after being violated in this manner?  How safe is safe?  We’ve heard about a growing number of crimes over the months we’ve resided here and it is disconcerting.
Although we are saddened by the events that have affected our lives the past couple of days, we consider ourselves blessed.  Given the severity of some of the most recent crimes, we are grateful we were not onboard at the time of the incident and there was no violence.  There were no injuries except to an intruder who left blood droplets in our cockpit.  He must have injured himself trying to break open the lock.  Our hearts go out to those cruisers who weren’t as fortunate as us and sadly, weren’t ashore during their criminal attacks.  May God bless you in your period of healing.
We will remain optimistic … from all tragedy, comes good.  It is times like this that you realize how strong the sailing community is.  We have had many offers of help & moral support from many cruisers … some already friends, and some who were strangers until today.  Thanks to all of you.  A special thanks goes out to Mark from ‘Sea Life’ and to Rescue One for all your assistance as liaison between Soulmatie, the Grenada Police, and fellow cruisers who may have witnessed the event.  Your help is invaluable and very much appreciated.  Thanks again!
As hurricane season winds down and we head our separate ways, Soulmatie wishes everyone a safe journey. 
Fair winds and calm seas,
Larry & Tracy Lambert
SV Soulmatie

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Steering Issues

We are safely back in Prickly Bay after a couple short trips up to Carriacou and Isle De Ronde.  Tested out our steering, but the hydraulic ram rebuild was not successful and we lost steering again in the rough waters up near Kick'em Jenny.   Larry had to pour hydraulic fluid into the steering system's resevoir as fast as it leaked from the ram for a couple hours. So, now we sit and wait for a brand new ram we've ordered from the states.

Another found bottle!

We received this email and photo:  "Bottle 15 found Sept 21st in Big Pine Key, FL by brothers following a dive trip. This was our only keeper of the day! "  So this bottle traveled over 2 months and over a thousand miles to get itself back to Florida!