You can see how much Catherine enjoys painting antifouling on the bottom. A nasty but necessary job! And it was hot! 38 deg C in the shade of the hull!
We completed the onshore recommissioning in record time for us, were launched and happily floating once again by Nov 7; loaded with groceries, fuel and fresh water. The launch itself, always a tense time for us, was executed competently by the experienced yard staff of Peake Yacht Service.
We immediately departed crowded, noisy Chaguaramas for the quiet isolation of the Five Islands anchorage. How happy Catherine appears as we motor away from the Launch Slip!
The remainder of the preparations for departure were completed with the boat in the water, which was blessedly cooler. We were fortunate to have light winds in early mornings for the bending on of sails. There were 4 days of in-water commissioning to make ready for our departure from Trinidad.
The remainder of the preparations for departure were completed with the boat in the water, which was blessedly cooler. We were fortunate to have light winds in early mornings for the bending on of sails. There were 4 days of in-water commissioning to make ready for our departure from Trinidad.
We sailed, well motorsailed really, the 87 nm from Trinidad to Tobago during Nov 12-13 and cleared in with Customs and Immigration at Charlottteville, Tobago, from where we are posting this blog entry. The “Charlotte D” is one of eight sailboats at anchor here, representing Switzerland, Germany, Bermuda, Luxembourg or Netherlands (almost identical flags) and Canadian (us).
We found ourselves quite tired by the physical labour of preparing the “Charlotte D” in the 30 deg C heat of Trinidad plus the tension of the squally passage to Tobago, but Oh-So-Happy to be here in the peace, quiet and scenic beauty of Charlotteville. Check it out on Google Earth! The location is 11 deg 19.715' N and 60 deg 33.143' W.
We found ourselves quite tired by the physical labour of preparing the “Charlotte D” in the 30 deg C heat of Trinidad plus the tension of the squally passage to Tobago, but Oh-So-Happy to be here in the peace, quiet and scenic beauty of Charlotteville. Check it out on Google Earth! The location is 11 deg 19.715' N and 60 deg 33.143' W.
We expect to lay at anchor here for several weeks enjoying daily swims in the ocean, losing our Canadian tan lines and exploring ashore in the Rain Forest. Then there are the local bars and cafes, the ice cream bar, the internet café, the fruit stand, walking on the beach, the bakery and the Roti Shop!
Of course, there is the never-ending maintenance of engines, electronics, domestic systems, and canvas and sail repairs. Catherine did a lovely repair on the sunshade before relaxing under it with her fiddle. Later she baked a delicious loaf of her rye bread with wheat berries and flax seed while Peter BBQed Tuna Steaks.
We especially like the waterfront fish market where one purchases directly from the fisherman within minutes of their landing of the tuna or wahoo. Yesterday it was a 2.5 kg Tuna for about $ Cdn 10. The fish are caught on hand lines from 5 m piroques within 2-4 nm of the mouth of this bay. We are pleased to patronize the local fishermen who go solo into the ocean with no lifejacket, no radio, and no GPS, however, we do look forward to our own catches as we cruise the Windward and Leeward Islands until April.
“The price of peace is the happiness of our enemies.” Bertrand Russell.
