Monday, 5 November 2012

November before we leave....


Bits & Pieces for Christmas.

     Debbie, the lady who makes swimwear for cruisers brought a flyer for a Christmas Bazaar.  So I organised a maxi and took 12 friends along for a shopping treat.  There were all sorts of artisans, wooden crafts, candles, jewellery, leather goods, photography, Christmas ornaments, and food on sale.  Rather like a Country Markets Christmas fair!.  Many of the jams and chutney makers had tasting tables, as did the cakes.  All the food samples was delicious.  When asked some of the producers said that they had trained at the catering school which we had lunch at last month.  Their produce is also on sale at ‘Malabar Meats’ where we shop on a Tuesday!  I bought Mango Chutney because I can’t remember where I stashed the jar I made in Suriname last Christmas and Lemon curd because I can’t find yellow lemons for love nor money out here. The ‘Mint Pesto’ (made with fresh mint and Ricotta cheese will have to wait ‘til I go to Malabar tomorrow).  All those producers who had a website or facebook page got a mention on the Trinidad facebook page.  I hope that they get some cruisers business in the future. Cocobell single estate chocolate is a must for next year if we are here.

   Pan, Parang, & Pork...Party!
Queens Park Cricket Ground (car Park) Port of Spain, Trinidad.

      Sunday, it rained so I spent most of the day aboard copying videos onto our hard drive, note to self must get another hard drive as we are running short of space.  I missed Mexican Train Dominoes but was able to dress and prepare for the party. It began at 5.30 food served around 7 ish and steel pan music, local groups and entertainment, together with free Dewars 12 year old Malt whiskey, and Chennet wine made the liming very easy.  There was so much food left over that we were invited to take doggy bags home—but most people were too full to contemplate any more to eat!
     Our first Christmas party and it’s only the 5th of November.  I expect you are in the midst of Firework Parties as I write?  If we are here for Divali this year we should get fireworks with the evenings entertainment otherwise we will have to wait for New Year.

Let me also say that 'Piano' has been a good girl this last month or so.  She did motor down to Scotland Bay last weekend at 2 knots, because sitting in the warm Caribbean waters the prop was covered in Barnacles.
Judy & Fred (S/Y Wings) had sufficient time to calibrate various instruments and still get there before us!

S/Y Wings at Scotland Bay, Trinidad.

 The outboard had to be 'SEEN TOO' by our new best friend Chris (S/Y Quicksilver).  The topsides are looking seriously clean with a household mould remover on the top gun bimini etc, and all teak has been brightened and looks like new, we really did deserve the liming after all the hard work.