Life in a Heat Dome

You will be pleased to know that GS’s computer is fixed at last (only a new battery & a new hard drive – insert sad face emoji!) and ready to roll on finalising our 2023 adventures.  So, life jackets on, harnesses clipped; here we go!

Doing the Daily Grind

You may well laugh!  Nature had found us out and centred a rather large heat bubble over our Chaguaramas location.  Yes, temperatures varying between 34-39C lasted for the whole time we resided “up on spindly legs”.  And no rain.  However, we managed to cope with the aid of a small Walmart air conditioner purchased by our trusty Cap’n back in 2022. 

From inside HQ WJ3, the planning operation began.  Our Cap’n sought out quotes to refurbish parts of the interior, revitalise various non-working boat bits and arrange bit of practical maintenance.  Otherwise, he maintained happy hour supplies, topped up WJ3’s fuel tanks and fetched our (almost) daily local-food dinners.  The stretch of fence at the front of the yard is known as “The Food Court” and is open at about 4.30am by breakfast/snack ladies until the lunch ladies arrive and hold the fort until 2.00pm or the food runs out.  Menus change daily and competition for lunch with workers is stiff.  The Cap’n (and his favourite fridge mouse) charmed the ladies, so we left him to visit daily and make his selections.  They always gave generous serves and it never tasted anything less than wonderful!

Meanwhile, GS took care of listening to the daily (Channel 68) radio “sked”, organised attendance at yard group gatherings and undertook the usual domestic activities, including giving WJ3 her end-of-season spruce up.  

Haven't you finished the outboard by now?

Mr Lozza, as a welcome third hand, was given many & various chores (think de-rusting & painting the anchor and all 330 feet of chain!) allowing him to decide for sure that he never wants to own a boat!  In all, our gal looked a treat when we left!

To Buy a Fat Hen

One of the joys of travelling is visiting fresh food markets and Trinidad’s Central Market is no exception.  What we really love about it is that you are treated, not as visitors, but rather as shopping locals.  The experience took us back to days in Malaysia, India and Nepal.  Everything really is just so fresh, sold off the back of a farmer’s truck or fisherman’s boat (figuratively speaking!)  We travelled in each week on a Saturday morning (7am early start) on an organised Jesse James run (1 hour at the market then 30 mins at a nearby supermarket to finish off – the beer, bread & cereal run.)  Anything we missed out on could be picked up at the excellent mini-mart at Power Boats.  Very handy indeed! 

Perhaps just a few baby crabs?

Boys Big Day Out: Golf

Deciding to be adventurous, the lads made an early start one day for Chaguaramas Golf Course to take in a round of 9 holes before the heat set in.  This course, the only one in Trinidad, is set back into forested hills behind our boatyard at the base of Edith Falls, a hiking trail that we may (or may not) take one day.  Aside from wildlife galore, noisy birds (parrots), this reserve is home to Red Howler Monkeys.  Both agreed it was a spectacular setting for a golf course.  And you all know who won…