We’ve had a wonderful time here in Trinidad over Christmas and the New Year. Surprisingly enough there’s been quite a few parties!!!
Sorry the maps are so big - I was trying to condense one but have run out of time!!
Our celebrations started, a few days before Christmas, with a party at The Lure, Sweetwater Marina, (not marked on the map but about where the "boats" of Power Boats is! ) sponsored by YSATT (Yachting and Sailing Association of Trinidad & Tobago) with Jesse James hosting. I’ve mentioned the YSATT before, - the organisation works tirelessly on behalf of cruisers and Jesse James is the man to whom all cruisers go if they need help; and he also organises both the tourist and shopping trips.
It was a good occasion in a really nice venue, overlooking the river. We’d not been there before and wished we had! It’s a short walk towards Coral Cove and somewhere easy to hang out in! Rum punch was provided to start with and lovely ham rolls were served. Unfortunately, there were not many seats provided and it became a bit hard on our old legs! A live band was arranged as well and they had a really good vocalist and played lots of covers starting with “Sealed with a Kiss” – the cruisers era!! Chris had found somewhere to sit down outside, (chatting to the smokers!) and after a while, having listened for a number of songs, I decide I’d also had enough so we wandered back to Moontide.
Christmas Day dawned bright and clear, sunny and dry – quite an achievement as we had loads of rain even though December is usually only showery.
An Xmas BBQ had been arranged at Crews Inn – an area towards the end of the inlet where there is a proper marina (rather than boat yard) and also a hotel. It’s not that far as the crow flies (or dinghy motors) but a good way to walk so we had decided dinghying was the best option so we got it out a few days before to check it was all OK.
Everyone took their own meat and a dish to share and there were some free beers and someone had brought ingredients for rum punch so mmmmmmm!
Another great occasion – and we even sang some carols!!!
Everyone took their own meat and a dish to share and there were some free beers and someone had brought ingredients for rum punch so mmmmmmm!
Another great occasion – and we even sang some carols!!!
Showing again what a small world this is we met a couple who had run a water sports centre where my nephew (well great-nephew really but that makes me sound TOO old!) had worked for 7 years!! Not only that but the crew on one of the other boats here had been brought up in Exeter not that far from Chris (but she was a LOT younger so they had not met!!!)
Boxing Day was spent back on the boat where we had a traditional roast dinner in the evening once it had cooled down a bit.
The period between Xmas and New Year, as usual was very quiet- a young couple we had met, Sue and David (from the States but Sue was British and had lived and sailed in Kent until she emigrated) wandered round for a couple of beers but that was about it until New Years Eve
One of the guys who stays and works here in Peake Boat Services yard had organised a BBQ to be held in Peakes and although we did not go for the evening, we went along at around mid-night and spent a very enjoyable hour or so there.
On New Year’s Day, there was a ‘pot-luck’ event at TTSA (Trinidad and Tobago Sailing Association) further round the bay and the other side of a headland. This was sponsored by several cruising assocs and businesses in the area and again hosted by Jesse who had also arranged a shuttle service as it’s a bit too far to walk – even for the fit cruisers!! A couple of beers, a drop of rum and a lot of lovely ham and BBQ chicken were provided and everyone took a dish to share; mmmmmm lovely.
Now we’re struggling to get back into work mode though to be fair, we have both been doing some work.
Chris decided that the windows on the port side had too much rust around them and has taken them out, knocked out and ground down the rust, treated it and is now re-painting the area before putting them back in.
Window from inside with no frame etc!!
Chris decided that the windows on the port side had too much rust around them and has taken them out, knocked out and ground down the rust, treated it and is now re-painting the area before putting them back in.
Window from inside with no frame etc!!
We’re getting closer!! But that’s all for now except to say:
Happy New Year to everyone and may 2017 bring health and happiness to you all.
Happy New Year to everyone and may 2017 bring health and happiness to you all.