We spent today being entertained by the whole of Trinidad - well not quite, but it felt like it! Literallly thousands and thousands of boys, girls, men, women, grannies and grandpas took to the street and just enjoyed themselves. The costumes were absolutely fabulous and we had a great seat overlooking the festivities. If we weren't deaf before, we're definitely deaf now. It's just a pity our photographs don't show the full impact of the event. Click on the link on the right hand side of this page to see the photos.
| 2008 |
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We went to the Red Cross Kiddies Carnival on Saturday - it was absolutely fantastic. The photographs speak for themselves. See the Gallery = click on the link on the right hand side of this page! Click on the individual photographs for a bigger picture!
| 2008 |
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There are people out there in the Big Wide World (this does not apply to sailors who understand where we're coming from), who think our lifestyle is one of continuing fun, "swanning around", no problems and no hassle. Below are some examples of some of the problems we have to contend with.
The stretch of sea between Trinidad and Grenada is notorious for its uncertain currents, poor weather and horrible sea conditions. We left Trinidad for Grenada on the 23rd of December setting off in daylight for a change, only to be met, in spite of the good forecast, by pyramid shaped seas, almost continuous rain and strong winds. It's the first time in five years we've had to wear waterproofs for the whole of our sail. However, the boat sailed well and fast and we covered the 95 miles in 13 hours, only to find on arrival in Grenada that the boom had broken away from the mast. It's difficult seeing things in the dark. Luckily, our boom vang supported the boom and sail and no other damage was done. A few day's work and we fixed the boom. After that, we went on to have three weeks of relaxation and sailing around Grenada and Carriacou!
It was now time to return to Trinidad for Carnival, so back over the pyramid shaped seas, the strong winds and the crappy forecast. We sailed fast, averaging 7 knots, hand steering most of the way (because we wanted to!) and because we were enjoying the thrill of powering through the water. However, doom catches up with us again. Anne had gone to bed just after midnight. Alan hand-steered for another hour, and decided to hook up our wind-vane steering system, only to find it was not working the way it should! So, it was hand-steering all the way to Trinidad. It was a long, tiring night for both of us. Daylight revealed the paddle from the self-steering system (see the photographs) had broken free and was being pulled behind the boat on its support rope. To compliment our problems, while flushing out the bilges in Trinidad our bilge pump stopped working. Thank G.. in didn't happen at sea when we might have needed it! However, after a couple of hours work Alan repaired it.
So, to all you doubters out there, our life does have the occasional problem which in the wrong circumstances could be catastrophic. Yes, we do this from choice, but we don't want to enter the geriatric lifestyle too soon!!
To all you sailors out there, you know what it's all about!!
| 2008 |
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