Some work, some play

Well, this post is certainly long overdue but don’t worry – just because its late, it doesn’t mean I have to write a missive to fill the whole year. I am just going to tell you about what happened between us returning to Trini at the end of October and New Year 2025.

I’ll start with a cooking day that was organised by one of the other cruisers. It was arranged that we would meet Val [who led the class] at the large Saturday Market in Port of Spain.

We then went to the south of the island to her house where she proceeded to demonstrate the cooking of various dishes, encouraging us to participate in several of the stages.

Some of the food we sampled on the spot but there was also enough for us all to bring back to the boat.

Altogether a good day out.

So, now onto the stuff that, once again, delayed us leaving Trinidad at the time intended. Boat work and contractors who don’t complete at the promised time and/or don’t actually do anything at all while you are away.

We had two major projects, the first being the replacement of our four saloon windows and repair to some water damaged wood and veneer in one corner and to have this work done we had to have a shrink-wrap tent erected over the top of the boat.

The wood work was undertaken by “Perfect Finishes” and whilst most of the job did go perfectly….

….

…..the structures for holding the frames in place while the “Lifeseal” cured was rather more than we bargained for – but they did have the desired outcome.

The other project was replacing our “Coppercoat” antifoul. Because “Cow” wanted to check that we had no osmosis we had the whole of the bottom stripped and, I am delighted to say, all was fine. Apparently, moisture readings of over 15 are a concern but having gone round the whole boat he was noting mainly 9’s to 11’s.

The only place where the reading was a bit higher was adjacent to where our water tanks are inside the boat – and this is perfectly normal – and still not over 15 anyway.

Whilst the tent over the boat keeps water off most of the deck and all the saloon windows, rain still runs down the topsides to the bottom, so to complete the antifouling a temporary shelter was taped to the sides….

….allowing the epoxy primer…

….and Coppercoat to be applied.

All the Coppercoat layers have to be sprayed on the same day, so a full team got to work and stayed on the job well into the late evening.

It was then time to take off all the covers – at which time we found a wasps nest attached to the stern arch….

…and then, after a thorough wash down of the whole of the outside, on 9^th December – approximately one month late – we were finally ready to splash.

It was great to be back at anchor…

…. and, fortunately, we only had a couple of days to wait for suitable weather to sail up to Grenada….

…..and then onto Carriacou for Christmas and New Year.

We spent Christmas Eve at “The Original Slipway”, one of the few restaurants to have re-opened after the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl. The table settings were lovely and included a goody bag to take away….

…. we were entertained by a band…

…and all was very civilised….

Well, at least at the start of the evening – it then all got rather silly – as it often does!

On Christmas Day we motored round to anchor off Sandy Island – which is now two islands – a breach having been caused by Beryl.

Locals have begun replanting Palm Trees so, sometime in the future the island[s] will regain their full beauty – though to be honest it was quite beautiful as it was and a great place for Christmas drinks and snacks.

In 2023 we had wanted to go to Petite Martinique but on both the ways up and down the island chain the wind/wave conditions were not conducive. On Boxing Day 2024, they were perfect so we were able to sail across to the smallest of the three Grenadian Islands where very few cruisers actually go.

Obviously, Beryl had wreaked havoc here too and many of the houses remain empty, the residents having been evacuated in the aftermath of the storm and not returned.

Many of the houses still had no roof though this photo shows that reconstruction has begun for some.

There is still a strong spirit on the island….

…. and the local people were really friendly and pleased to see us – particularly at the sole operating bar.

After a couple of days, we returned again to Carriacou and “The Original Slipway” for New Years Eve where, once more, a good time was had by all.