What a pleasant day, we set off with Jesse bright and not too early and stopped for the ubiquitous ‘Double’ which he looked after ‘til lunch time. Jesse is a fount of information and besides concentrating on the road, other traffic, answering his business phone and our questions he also keeps a running commentary on all historical monuments and important dates. So on the trip into Port of Spain we now know that there are 5 Islands in the Bay one of which is called Nelsons Island because this is where Nelson came to re-caulk his ships. (Trip to the pitch lakes WHS coming up soon) If I had taken a notebook I could tell you more suffice it to say that Trinidad got it’s Independence in 1962 and became a Republic in 1976 The National Flag tells a big story of the peoples inhabiting the Island I’ll try to get it straight before I tell you, but the same characters appear on the paper money too.
Next was a history lesson on the Magnificent 7 Mansions. Most are falling to ruin but the stories behind the structures are poignant. They were built when each family became rich by the time they died their family either didn’t want to live in such opulence or couldn’t afford to. The upshot is that most are becoming ruins. Fortunately the World Heritage Council has slapped a preservation order on the and maybe soon they will be restored. It would certainly be a boost for Trinidad's Tourist income. Next we were shown the Queens Park Savannah where the Carnival floats and costumes are judged before the Carnival. Apparently some are so large that they will not squeeze through the carnival route.
To continue the Tour; we made our way to the Signal Station Fort George- at the top of an amazing viewpoint. It was here we had lunch. Next a drive along and up into the mountains of Subiaco where the Abbey of St Benedict lies. Here we bought Strawberry Yoghurt (made by the monks) and had ‘ High Tea’ in the Abbey of Our Lady of Exile next door. Although it rained on the way home we still had a test on the facts we had been given and the prize for all was a home made ice cream !!
During the last week we have been continuing with our boat jobs. Nathan the carpenter who is re –caulking the cock pit has been elsewhere since we have been held up by US customs who are holding the export of caulking ! Never mind there is still much to do. Plenty of sanding the veneers which have lost a touch of varnish and need to be refreshed. The anchor windlass needed a professional to re vitalise it and I must say that Ian has done us proud. It looks like a new toy. The refitting caused a few minor problems and Ian's mate Avi and electrician soon had the problem sorted (our batteries not giving sufficient power!- yes they are on the list) This is not all the foot-pedals for the anchor are also found to be corroded and need to be replaced. So here starts the Mexican train of dominoes effect. To get to the foot pedals with a drill we need to take the wheel off, which needs a tool and a professional to help. When it is off we find that the spindle has worn and is what is giving the ’play’ in the wheel. A new part from the States will take a month or more so we leave it until next year. The Compass which has been opened inadvertently now has an air bubble so will need another professional to refill it. The plinth on which it sits can soon be sanded and restored to the high standard of Ghislaine and Yan. Of course the anchor chain has also been cleaned and looks brand new with new paint at 10 m intervals in different colours. We have also gone for a new Rockner anchor to see if we get better holding.
I have also been busy getting a quote for some new furnishings. Kay the nice lady who made some hatch covers for me has said that she can do the job so I have been taking the staples out ready for her to start work. At present we are using the cushions from the aft bedroom to sit on. I hope she gets finished soon.
We have also been quite active in the evenings going to a variety of ‘Potluck’ BBQs and having people round for drinks. The weather has been hot and sunny and we both wish we were sailing or at anchor in a breeze rather than ashore with air conditioning on. Hey ho at least it’s not snowing or cooling down for winter like it is in the UK.
Along with this are the photos in the October folder on Picasas- let me know if you need a link!
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