October 2016

Date: 12th October 2016

Position: Chaguaramas bay, Trinidad

Hi Landfolk and Salty Sea Dogs,

After a long summer break, here is the promised update on the adventures of Ari B, skippered by Captain Bonzo.

Since there are a few newcomers to this publication, let me introduce myself. My name is Bonzo, I am the Captain of sailing yacht Ari B and I am a rather handsome white stuffed dog. And yes, I know all the associated jokes already..... . Stuffed rabbit Pip is my sidekick (named after the real dog Pip on Wild Bird that I have the secret hots for).

As always, Ari B is crewed by Alex and Carla, who had flown to the UK in July and left me guarding the boat here in the boatyard in Trinidad. Getting the boat packed away was a massive effort in the 33 degrees heat and no wind at all in the yard. Temperatures inside soared to 44c due to the lack of cooling from the sea and the crew were relieved to move into a hotel room for the last 2 days before leaving. The trip home was a massive 27 hours, complete with last minute change of flights to Tobago, a panic trip to the capital to get ferry tickets as all flights were full and a day on the beach in Tobago (with luggage and all) to wait for the flight to the UK. In any case, it worked out.

The time in the UK flew by. Family visits, trips up north to see the team from Wild Bird, Alex’s parents visiting the UK -complete with Alex’s Mum having a fall resulting in a broken kneecap and an operation, all with Alex as translator. Then another trip up north to help Tim and Gayle (Wild Bird) with some renovation, as Tim managed to break his ankle.... Since things always come in threes the crew was extra careful not to break any bones. Nevertheless, a third break occurred when Alex’s mum, on the day of getting rid of her cast after 6 weeks, had another fall and broke the same kneecap in another place – we wish a speedy recovery!!!

A big thank you to Lucja (Carla’s Mum )for providing a first class B&B service and to Louise and Iain for some lovely treats for the crew.

Early September flights looked good for the crew to return to Trinidad with the plan to do some boatwork, see the island and take it easy.

Luggage approached 110kg, so with a hire car each end, the crew returned to Trini and started sweating again.

An aircon was installed to manage the temperatures inside the boat, (never mind that Pip & I lived in an oven for 2 months whilst the crew was away in the UK), and to do lists were written (long ones). The raised waterline that was done in Madeira had to be redone, as the yard there did not remove the old paint and coppercoated over it, despite the fact that their proposal stated that the paint would be removed. The crew managed to get a refund and set about doing it again, alongside a new white stripe, polishing the hull, rust treating anchor and chain, pimping the dinghy chaps, repairing the spray-hood, varnishing various bits etc etc.

Alex’s estimate was 2 weeks hard work, leaving plenty of time to relax. 4 weeks later the work was almost done......

Nevertheless, the crew managed to have a look at Trinidad with a hire car and a separate tour (Taste of Trinidad – street food tour, tasting 70 different things in a day including cow heel soup, bbq pigs tail and chicken foot soup – great fun!). They saw and heard howler monkeys in the Chaguaramus National Park, hummingbirds at the Asa Wright Centre and hiked to numerous waterfalls.

During the time, the crew had a new favourite song – Rihanna – work work work work work.... J

Trinidad is sooo different from the rest of the Caribbean islands.

There is virtually no tourism, so the island is busy with manufacturing , energy (oil and gas)and there are shops everywhere. The people here are from diverse backgrounds, including a large Indian population that originated when the first ‘paid’ workers where imported from India in the 1500s. Subsequently it is a big mix, with lots of different influences – and they are pretty hard working. The harbour here in Chaguaramas therefore is not the prettiest place on earth, and together with the murky green waters that flow out of the rivers and up the coast from South America, it’s an incentive to get going again.

We’re back in the water for 4 days, the newly polished hull has black marks from oil in the harbour and we’re ready to go to a pretty bay for some swimming. Keeping a keen eye on the weather situation (especially after hurricane Matthew), we’ll be looking for a window to go to Grenada and wait for the end of the hurricane season, then continue north for Antigua to celebrate Christmas with a bunch of friends.

Further plans have yet to be established – let’s see where the wind blows us.

The crew is looking forward to a little rest after 5 weeks of hard graft and will update you when they have more news to report.

Ari B out

Captain Bonzo

Avocat Falls