Saturday 29 June 2013

St Lucia to Tobago 28th May - 23rd June

The passage to St Lucia. Tuesday 28th May 2013 arrived Rodney Bay lunch time on 29th May. Welcomed back by the dockmaster who was pleased to see ‘Piano’ again.  We caught up with Mari who is still here and Bridget & Derek who are both looking well.  Invited Jane & Tony over for sundowners. And tried out the waterside steak house which was tremendous.
  Finally decided to move to Bequia on 6th June.  Not quite an all night sail but very slow since the currents are against you when travelling south! Managed to snag a picture of a dolphin!

 Anchored in Lower Bay at ten to eleven that night.  The sea was alive with lots of fish and turtles.  Next day Coffee at the Gingerbread Hotel while the skipper signs us in then a trip to the top of Mount Pleasant with Baldwin and a wonderful view from the top,

Flamboyant Tree


 before a pleasant walk down to the Fig Tree for lunch. Each day we have been visited by Joseph the travelling chef with his offerings of fruit and fresh bread.  He also cooks at the Friday night Fish Fry at the Fig Tree.
      Tuesday we went to the Italian for a Pizza and Lasagna.  Great idea to have a take away for the trip tomorrow so ordered another Pizza but it came as the next size up so had to be cut to fit a) the fridge and b) the oven
Wednesday 12th June
  Set sail from Bequia to Man of War Bay, Tobago

Malcolm says he enjoyed this trip (!) I was more discerning, the grey sky and uncomfortable ride, was not my idea of fun.  I enjoyed lunch but went below for greater comfort and missed out on the Pizza for dinner.  Malcolm battled away all night without calling me for my usual watch. I returned to deck the next morning while it wasn't raining.  That didn't last long, by the time we were 12 miles off Tobago the grey skies had returned and the heavens emptied. Meanwhile down below the towels had a worst time, they ended up in the bath/shower try and the hatch wasn't tightly closed so they were comfy too but sodden with seawater! 
  It was still pouring next morning when we went ashore to sign in.  So we waited ‘til after coffee and then made a dash.  The customs lady ‘Venice’ has just started her job here and is a very happy lady.  Such a change to talk to a human being rather than an official! ( Ramsie you are not alone)
 A good job the water tanks are full so that the washing machine can go on– just need to empty the drying racks to hang it in the drying room/workshop! Plus there was plenty of Pizza and meatloaf left over for a tasty lunch.  The rest of the week was spent making a trek up to Fort Cambleton for the views.  We also visited ‘Sharon and Phebe’s for dinner another night.  Malcolm hiked up Flagstaff Hill too, while I put in some serious ‘liming’.  Wednesday we found Jabba’s store for internet and I was able to forward a few funnies.  Thursday we got free Wi-Fi at the library, but nothing new. 
Monday 17th we took a bus ride to Scarborough! (didn’t we have a luverley time the day we went to …) For a 2 hour trip I thought £1.80 return was good value!  Snaps here and in Picassa
Fort St George.

     Friday 21st June. A short sail round to Parlatuvier Bay, Tobago.  From the seaward side it looked as though it would be rolly but once in (almost on the beach) amongst the fishing boats it was mostly pleasant. Saturday we hiked to Parlatuvier Falls, 
Parlatuvier Falls

the only thing we forgot was the insect repellent!  Of course following a stream we were attacked by many biting insects mosquitoes included.  Malcolm said the water in one of the pools was plenty warm for a swim.  I had a couple of hours on the beach while Malcolm went looking for a restaurant. We haven’t seen a supermarket since St Lucia so we are making good use of the emergency cans which I shall not be replacing! We have sufficient with what’s in the freezer to reach Trinidad! And I’m back to hand kneading the bread as the motor on the bread-maker seems to have a problem. 
    Sunday 23rd June motored round to Englishmans’ Bay   Very nice quiet no other yachts. No Jetty, so we were unable to take the tender ashore here.

 Unpacked the diving gear and had a quick dive,  Malcolm had problems with his mask but managed to get it sorted.  Not much to see with a sandy bottom and just a few underwater rocks.  Quite a long swim back to ‘Piano’ for lunch and liming.  Light rain intermittent during the afternoon.  Also the camera is playing up since we recharged it , one of the lights stays on after it has been turned off!