‘TOBAGO CAYS’ HERE WE ARE!

Wednesday 20th January 2010. 0800 Local Time: Position 12°38.221’ N 61°21.699’W
50 yards west of Petit Rameau Island. ( Check Google Earth!)
We departed Wallilabou at 0900 and passed by one of the ‘Band’ from last night, out doing a bit of fishing. A lovely day, interspersed with a nice cooling shower just after lunch had us reach down past Bequia and Canouan. The shallow waters to windward keep the ocean swell down somewhat and gave us a very pleasant afternoon sail on towards Mayreau until we picked up the 141° Bearing into Tobago Cays.
We arrived here yesterday afternoon, having to visually guide our way in towards the anchorage along the transit. A shower came through as we did a tour of the Anchorage, coming up through the main channel and having a look into the anchorage between Jamesby and Baradal Islands. It was like looking for a parking space in the Blanchardstown Shopping centre on Christmas Eve! So we bore off around the top of Petit Rameau and tucked ourselves behind it.
5 of the local tee-shirts were purchased from one of the boatboys. [ you will have to wait and see if I got one for you dear] We took to our ease after that.
I believe it has been claimed that not enough pictures of winching, and pulling sheets and tacking and generally the kind of boat work that keeps us warm in Ireland are failing to find there way into the emails. Once the sails are hoisted and set for the day that is it. All crew except the helm return to bunks, to keep out of the sun, unless taking the rays of course.
I will attempt today, during the brief period of activity, to obtain some suitable images for these ‘tyrant’s’ wanting to see floggings and such like and fingers being worked to the bone.... I hate getting to crew to pose for images.... but I will.
I want people to see the effort put in on these trips. Those people who think this is just a jolly have it all wrong. Granted we are treated to beautiful sunsets...
Image: Good Sunset!
Here is one of Fionuala ensuring the dingy is secured and also note she is on the windward rail helping to keep the boat upright!






Images: Babe on foredeck; Hugh checking anchor; Lovely Najad 570; Noel passage planning.



It is also from this forward position that a weather eye is kept for passing yacht. I have to admit that when this Najad 570 passed, we were all drooling.
When we anchor, it is very important, especially if around Coral Reefs, to ensure that the anchor is in the correct position. Therefore it is important that someone dives down to check.
Then the duties of the next day’s ‘skipper’ begin. In the hot and sticky cabin, pouring over charts, and making a pilotage plan.
Image: Noel planning
Remember also that clothes have to be kept clean, and here is an image of ‘Mna na hEireann’ out with their scrubbing boards at well. Notice how happy they are with their work. No need for women’s liberation here!
Image: Mna na hEireann
It is very necessary to restock the vessel at regular intervals. Heaven forbid if we should run out of Coffee!..... Luckily for us, at most anchorages we find people only too willing to assist us with the task.
And to ensure that at all time the vessel is ship shape, a crew member is regularly delegated to swab down the decks.
Image: Swab ya swab
Okay.... I have done my bit, I have tried to show how back breaking and strenuous this sailing is. Let’s get back to today’s plan. Mooch around here until lunch time, mosey over to Union island to clear out with Customs, and then put the vessel on passage making mode to Charlotteville, NE Tobago.

Wednesday 20th January 2010. 1400 Local Time: Union Island
BREAKING NEWS:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, your correspondent has to depart for Europe. This is, unfortunately, my last entry in the blog. I am sure the rest of the crew will be only too happy to have the camera disappear. I have been handsomely bribed to delete the good ones! Har Har
With that, I wish the rest of the crew a safe and pleasant voyage and look forward to reading of their further adventures in paradise.
Slan abhaile do gach duine.