Chaguaramus is in the north west of Trinidad. We will be heading north to Grenada shortly. Seems like all is fixed!! Until the next thing!
 |
| just in case! |
December 16...Shawn came by to pick up canvas again as there was a bit of a leak, Dave worked on aft head about three hours or so it seemed. Canvas came back later in the afternoon and seems okay. This morning tested out canvas - AOK but Dave needs to come back! Keith dropped by to check freezer working. Just spoke to Dave on the dock and he is just going to the boat. So much for the trip to Budget! We are anxious to get away - have certainly been patient and on speaking to someone this morning who said if you wait till everything is fixed, you will never leave. Interesting!
 |
| nice, eh! |
 |
| returning from fav store and wondering whether to make the leap! |
December 15...Spent yesterday getting freezer fixed - Keith was more confident this time but suggested a copper condenser when we get to US Virgins. Working fine now. Peter spent morning replacing the aft head macerator and waiting for Dave to come as the pump for that same head was not working. We found the leak for the water pump but decided to leave it for another day which we did today. Floorboards were a bugger to remove as well as the shelf in the cabinet. Nothing easy - leak was under the forward head and of course Budget closed today. Pump no longer comes on continually so something fixed but still a leak. I took the public bus into town - 2tts one way - that‘s approx. 33 cents on an air conditioned non crowded bus. Certainly better than the maxi taxi which is 5tts and stops whenever someone puts their hand out and no air! Again couldn't get Season three of Boardwalk Empire. May try again this week as it looks as if we may not leave until Thursday. Weather looks best then and still a few jobs to do.
 |
| annual cookout |
 |
| canvas completed at 8 p.m. last night - view from dodger toward anchorage from our dock |
December 13...Friday Good luck or not?Well how did the day start! Called back Dave to test the pump for the aft head as it stopped last night and the freezer man is back for the second time to see if he can get the freezer working! Are we in the water yet you ask! After waiting for hours yesterday and promising to get us at 11 a.m., we managed to splash around three! The freezer guy came and supposedly fixed the freezer and around five, I started cooking the meat! Stayed on board for dinner as we were both exhausted. Does it never end this holiday??
 |
| watchful eye |
 |
| backing up |
 |
| almost there |
 |
| splash!! |
 |
| set to go with view of new dodger |
December 11...Yes, today is Wednesday, PriceSmart day and cupboards are stocked to excess. Lift in is scheduled for tomorrow, third boat in, and plans were to leave as soon as it was determined that we would remain afloat. But as always, plans change and minds have to be kept open! Apparently winds and waves not pleasant and building over the weekend but hard to determine as Internet access not great from the boat in the yard. It has been really really raining and everyone must be holed up using the Net. Peter just gone to see where we will go after the splash.Still waiting for the canvas - some minor adjustments to be made and now with rain, what to do with the huge canvas over top. Can't be put away wet! Positive note, on Sunday walked up the road to a hotel and was alowed to use their pool for 45tt for as long as I wanted. Too bad it started to rain but did have a couple of swims and sat around for a read. Hotel didn't get the greatest reviews on trip advisor but the pool was certainly acceptable and large. Good thing I didn't know about it earlier - perhaps not as much would have been accomplished! Peter came along but decided to sit in their air conditioned lobby and read.
 |
| West Palm Hotel, Chaguaramus |
Also into town the other day and stocked up with more videos. Unfortunately unable to get Boardwalk Empire, third season. But....seeing as we may be here a bit longer may go back in to see if it is available.
Yesterday waiting for Shaun and oil change guy to arrive and, of course, they both arrived within minutes of each other - lots of commotion with three extra persons on the boat. Again very hot and humid. Plans are to be in the water on Wednesday but still nowhere to go - no docks seem to be available. Into hardware store and HiLos this morning and finish odds and ends as well. Finished cleaning out aft lockers and organizing clean lines yesterday. Think we are both anxious to get out on the water and really do something so you all have a bit more exciting stuff to see and read!!!
December 5...Today Emily travelling to Hong Kong, Oakville Talacko family off to Whistler and we are sitting here waiting for an oil change to happen - booked for ten this a.m. and now 12 30 p.m. Not to complain in the two weeks plus we have been here so much has been accomplished! For example, cockpit light fixed, new speakers installed, anchor chain derusted and painted, secondary anchor derusted, painted and waiting to be put away, head sail raised, new topping lift, chrome polished, bottom painted, cabin lights removed painted, reinstalled, dinghy in water, new insulation for engine compartment installed, fuel filters replaced and the list goes on. And we have even had some time off - yesterday shopping for staples - enough toilet paper and paper towels to last for a trans Altantic voyage! Basically ready to splash - even the top promises to be completed by Tuesday. Tonights project will be to raise the mainsail to check it out!
Contrary to what looks like only one person doing the work, I did my jobs earlier - cleaning mold out of anchor locker and more polishing chrome and bow and now I am able to relax - a Carib, as we have not purchased any other alcohol as yet. Perhaps Wednesday when we go to PriceSmart which is similar to Costco.
 |
| bottom painting with micron 22 getting ready to launch - undetermined as yet but want to be ready just in case |
December 2...Rained all day yesterday but still managed to get some work done. .cleaned out stern storage areas, and various other odd jobs that needed to be done. completed polishing combing and found some new areas to be cleaned. Today going to Peaks hardware store in the morning and will wait for Shawn the top person to come by. Laundry this morning as well.
 |
| our ever changing xmas lights |
 |
| same and more! |
November 30...Spent morning at Crews Inn with the swimsuit lady and just happened to fall in their gorgeous pool so of course I had to swim a couple of laps!
 |
| A view of boatyard and new stern hatch tent from the cockpit this morning |
November 29...Yesterday was a day off from working although shopping in Port of Spain was work as well but fun - lots of videos purchased for our new tv and dvd player that was purchased and brought down in my carry on bag, purchased containers to organize boat parts, and cushion fillers for sitting comfort in the cockpit and groceries at HiLo for our first meal on board - spaghetti and salad and French stick! Mistress is looking pretty spiffy - Gary was here the other day checking jib halyard to make sure it was on proper track and ran a new topping lift.
 |
| Gary at the mast |
 |
| Gary still working hard |
 |
| Captain Peter supervising |
November 25...Busy day - Sean came re the bimini and dodger -will start work Monday next although supposedly the stainless will be picked up tonight, new batteries installed, radar arch tightly adjusted properly (hopefully) this time and work began on polishing. Looks like we will spend at least another two weeks here depending on time it takes for the top and the weather window in two weeks time.
Boat will not go in the water until we find somewhere to put it.
 |
| windy day on the hard, Ricki‘s man working hard on the polishing |
November 19...Landed in Port of Spain after a late evening flight from Toronto. Uneventful and were awaited by Mike to take us to Chaguaramus. Rush hour traffic with everyone going off to work and arrived at Power Boats approximately 8 a.m. Checked into room and slept. Early noon checked on Mistress and everything looked fine although I did not venture down the companion way. Too hot and tired! deck quite dirty so we did hose it down. Either I had a touch of flu or just took long to get acclimatized so I was basically in slow motion for about three days. And I mean really slow! Good thing was I was finally sleeping through the entire night. Wow! Today, Sunday, finally feel as if most work has been done on the inside and ready to move in although the hotel room has been a Godsend! Dinghy in the water, upholstery has been shampooed, cupboards cleaned - and tomorrow await Sean to have a look at the new top, batteries perhaps coming and the fellow going to polish the hull. Looks like we will be here for another ten days at least but that will give us time to stock up and do lots of little chores plus do some fun things. unfortunately no swimming here and the docks at Crews Inn are all full. Wonder if I could go for a swim there in their beautiful pool?
 |
| view of Crews Inn from across the bay |
 |
| after the rain |
 |
| restaurant at Power Boats |
 |
| Trinidadians start Christmas celebrations in October and are very serious about the holiday! |
