1 March 1994 Hog Island
I got up at half past five and went round to the dive centre in the dive boat. I watched Bob do a resort course lecture and pool session. There was no boat driver and Gary had the day off, so I ended up doing surface support. Bob and I went into the Hotel’s lake (4ft max depth, 1ft thick mud bottom and 3in visibility) to reattach the high pressure hose for the fountain. It took us 45 minutes and the hose only stayed on for 15 minutes before it came off again.
Glenys was a bit grumpy in the evening because I had woken her very early in the morning and she is stuck with the kids all day. (Just like being in the UK during the school holidays while I bugger off to work!)
2 March 1994 Hog Island
I got up at half past five again. Bob did another resort course and I was surface support again. Gary and I (and three others) dived the Bianca C, but the anchor dragged in the strong current and we couldn’t find the wreck. I helped to refill the air tanks at Secret Harbour and Glenys met me at the bar for happy hour (again!)
I rang Carol who tells me that she sent all our mail to Bequia (oh well!) and that she is moving house in 5 days time (oh no!) Carol has done a brilliant job of looking after our affairs back in the UK and sending us our mail whenever we need it. I don’t know what we’d do without her.
3 March 1994 Hog Island
Got up at half past six this morning. I watched Gary do another resort course and helped with the pool work. We then did some pool skills and some more theory. We then did a dive on Quarantine Wreck with a first timer and two others.
In the afternoon we went to dive the Bianca C – Gary and I were surface support. They came up about 500 metres away and we had to put a buoy on the anchor and go and get them. Glenys continues to be hacked off and I don’t blame her!
4 March 1994 Hog Island
I went around on the dive boat in the morning. I did some exams and some more theory. We dived the Bianca C in the afternoon. One of the group had a problem with his ears and I had to bring him up. Perhaps I’ll get to see the wreck one day! Bob went down to 40 metres by himself to “check the anchor” - a dodgy thing to do considering the strong currents...
Glenys and the boys went to Grand Anse to go on the beach and do the shopping. We went to “Wise Cat” for a drink in the evening.
5 March 1994 Hog Island
Went to Secret Harbour and put 120 gallons of water in the tanks. Then we went around to Hog Island. I spent the afternoon revising “The Physiology of Diving” (yawn!)
6 March 1994 Hog Island
Dive at Moliniere Point in the morning and diving theory in the afternoon. I got back just in time to catch “last orders” at the Sunday barbeque. At seven o’clock, Phil from “Wise Cat” fell on their foredeck and cut himself above the eye, split his top lip and probably cracked some ribs. I ran them over to Secret Harbour to get a taxi to hospital while Glenys looked after all the kids. Glenys then took Coby, Nat and Callum back to their boat to spend the night. Fortunately Phil was fixed up fairly quick and got back at about eleven.
7 March 1994 Hog Island
Gary and I did a “Discover Scuba” dive at Moliniere with four punters. Bob and some others did, I quote, “the best dive that I’ve ever done on the Bianca C”. I, of course, was doing surface support! Never mind, I really enjoyed the dive that I did in the morning.
Gary’s visa runs out today and this afternoon he was still trying to get his work permit issued and his visa renewed - what a place. Brett pulled a thorn out of his foot that was 13mm long and has been in there since yesterday – no wonder he wouldn’t let me touch it!
8 March 1994 Hog Island
Glenys’ birthday. I hadn’t had a chance to get into town to get her a present, so I got Gary to buy me a bottle of Baileys and a birthday card when he went to sort out his work permit yesterday. The card was amusing and the theme was about not buying a present and saved my life!
I did a dive on Quarantine Wreck with Gary and three experienced divers and then exams and theory in the afternoon. We had a birthday barbeque on the beach with “Wise Cat”, “Ootek”, “Meander” and Jay and Linda from “Hells Bells” (USA). A nice time was had by all.
There is a woman called Darlene from “Sea Fever” (USA) who is an old bat who is moaning and groaning at and about the kids on the beach. They have been here for over six months and I think that she thinks she owns the beach. If she doesn’t back off there will be a small war started. Robin and Glenys are sick of her!
9 March 1994 Hog Island
I ended up in the Hotel’s lake in the morning, helping Gary to sort out the fountain again. Bob once again amazed me by telling Gary off for allowing me to use the centre’s equipment instead of my own. “dive masters should own and use their own equipment”. I could write a book about him – he’s like a John Cleese character in one of the management videos!
I finished all my theory exams and then did a dive at Moliniere. Gary and I wanted to go and find a wreck that we knew was in the area, but we knew that Bob wouldn’t let us. So we told him that we were going to do my map making dive. I made a map for 10 minutes while we swam out towards the wreck and then we made search sweeps parallel to the shore until we found it. All that theory and training worked!
We went to “Wise Cat” for sundowners and then I drew a fancy underwater map. Glenys spent the day doing schoolwork and cleaning the dinghy. Apparently there were barnacles on the bottom – we’ve definitely been here too long. We’re starting to get itchy feet now – only one week to go.
10 March 1994 Hog Island
I did my swimming tests this morning. I did OK on the 400 metres free swim and the 15 minutes tread water, but my 800 metre snorkel swim was really slow. It took me 19 minutes which is poor. I tried a 200 metre swim with a pair of “US divers blades” and I was 15% faster – perhaps I need a new pair of fins! I was a bit depressed this afternoon because I thought the swimming tests would be a doddle!
I did a dive on Quarantine Wreck in the afternoon with Bob and two other divers which was nice but boring reef, reef, reef – I think that he went too fast. I’ve done nine dives for $450 = $50 each so far – hopefully I’ll get more in before next Wednesday (which will be my last day).
11 March 1994 Hog Island
Gary and I did a “Discover Scuba” this morning in the pool and then did “an exchange of equipment whilst buddy breathing”. Gary wears contact lenses, so I offered to remove my mask and then wait without my mask until he sorted himself out with his mask. The bastard kept me waiting for about a minute without my mask while he laughed at me – I will get him back!
We then went and dived the Bianca C. Yes, I did get to see it this time – very impressive. It took us four attempts to get the anchor in the right place, mostly because Bob won’t listen to anyone else!
In the afternoon, I did a dive on the Quarantine Wreck with the “Discover Scuba” people. Two dives in one day, WOW! Glenys went to Concord Falls with Marilyn and loads of kids. Robin managed to cut her foot on the beach at Woburn and had to have three stitches. What a pair!
12 March 1994 Hog Island
A morning off – I read a novel and lounged about. I went to Bob’s house at midday as arranged but no sign of anyone. Total chaos, but I finally got to the dive centre by quarter past one. I led a small group of divers down to the Bianca C. We all went to “Wise Cat” for a communal meal and a game of “Dungeons and Dragons”.
13 March 1994 Hog Island
I did two dives in the morning with Gary and a guy doing Open Water 4 and 5. Bob gave me a lift back to Hog Island in the dive boat. I managed to get back by two o’clock just as Glenys had finished cooking the chicken at the Sunday barbeque.
At about four o’clock, I’d had enough of talking and went back to the boat for a quiet time. Glenys went on a wild goose chase with Marilyn of “Ootek” to look at some childrens toys which a lady was selling. She told them that she couldn’t sell anything because her children were there!
14 March 1994 Hog Island
I did three dives today – it’s a miracle! Glenys was back to schoolwork and odd jobs. We had sail fish steaks for dinner and then crashed out. For the last few weeks we have been in bed by nine o’clock!
15 March 1994 Hog Island
I did two dives today. Gary awarded me with my Dive Master qualification, so I went to have my picture taken at Grand Anse for my PADI application form.
The Wise family descended on us at five o’clock and we had a cup of tea and then the obligatory rum punch. Glenys had spent most of today tidying the boat and then went bonkers at the mess the kids left!
16 March 1994 Hog Island
Bob changed his mind this morning, cancelled the dive on the Bianca C and worked on his boat. I did a few jobs on our boat, retrieved “Ootek’s” dinghy anchor and then went to do a night dive. I stayed at Gary and Donna’s apartment where the main topic was “Mad Bob”. Glenys and the kids went to “Wise Cat” for dinner.
17 March 1994 Hog Island to Prickly Bay
Filled up with fuel and water at Secret Harbour and then went around to Prickly Bay. Gary and Donna came for dinner. Gareth didn’t show up as expected.
18 March 1994 Prickly Bay
Slack day. Glenys had her hair trimmed by Donna and then went to Grand Anse to do some shopping. The boys and I went to the beach. I spent a fortune on the phone talking to my mum and dad, Ceris and Carol. Gareth arrived at about seven o’clock and anchored next to us in the dark. They came for dinner.
19 March 1994 Prickly Bay
A bit of a hangover this morning! Glenys went to help Gareth and Fi tidy up their boat and I spent the afternoon on letters and tax, in response to the mail that Gareth picked up in Bequia for us. I finally got my replacement Lloyds Gold Card, thank god! We all went out to a Chinese restaurant for dinner which was really nice. The woman running the place was ever so happy to see customers. Fi nearly got into the kitchens to see how they make dishes.
20 March 1994 Prickly Bay
Gareth picked up his guests at seven o’clock in the morning and disappeared two hours later. We had a school work and admin day. I went snorkelling and speared three fish. One of them was a Spanish mackerel type and had three trilobite type parasitic creatures in its gills. They were pale, white and about 20mm long – gross!
We went to Gary and Donna’s for drinks and took some cassoulet and garlic bread for dinner. Brett has learned to start the outboard and he visibly swelled with pride when I said that he could go over to “Dabulamanzi” by himself to pick up Glenys
21 March 1994 Prickly Bay to St Georges
We motored around to St Georges and then spent the rest of the day getting shopping and sorting the boat out. I had to ring Pantaenius to sort out our yacht insurance which expires today. “Wise Cat” were in the anchorage and came for drinks. I had a very exciting moment this afternoon when I discovered that Mars bars are called “Milky Ways” here. I haven’t had one for months – so I bought 6 or so! Here’s an interesting fact – the milk that we have been buying comes from Lancashire Dairies Ltd, Manchester!
22 March 1994 St Georges to Tyrell Bay, Carriacou
Motored up the west side of Grenada. We roared past “Wise Cat” who have to sail everywhere because their engine is dodgy - they were only doing 2-3 knots in the light winds. We caught a nice 2ft tuna just off the north coast of Grenada and then we caught a 3ft Spanish mackerel near Ile De Ronde. We stopped at Ile De Ronde for lunch. Brett spotted some sand dollars on the sea bed and I had to spend half an hour diving down 6 metres to get some for him! We went to the east of Kick Em Jenny and sailed to Tyrell Bay. We met “Wise Cat” about a mile out and had a tacking race into the anchorage – they won unfortunately. We went to “Adagio” for a quick beer and then to “Wise Cat” with a fish stew for dinner.
Glenys is worried about Brett’s personality and attitude. He is becoming increasing stubborn and simply ignores any reprimands that we give him. He finds it difficult to concentrate on school work (or anything that he is doing) and just wants to have fun. He holds Craig’s hand when he goes to sleep, so I think that he is feeling insecure (or frightened of the dark). I think that it’s because he’s playing with children of varying ages Coby (12), Nat (6), Craig (4) and doesn’t know how he should act. He wants to wrestle with little ones and start the outboard like the big ones. An awkward stage! We bought some French wine for £2.50 from a boat boy – I guess we could have got it cheaper.
23 March 1994 Tyrell Bay to Tobago Cays
Glenys went for a half hour walk around town. We were told that this is a really cheap place to buy food, but Glenys returned with nothing except a £3 bottle of wine! Coby came over and asked me if I would come and help him spear a shark under their boat! The boys and I went over and discovered that it was a poor little 2ft nurse shark. Brett and Craig believed me when I said that it wasn’t dangerous, but it was harder to convince Coby! The shark had sea moss growing on its back and was really dopey. I picked it up by its tail several times and it didn’t do much – I thought that it was a very sick nurse shark.
We went for a dinghy ride around the mangrove swamp with “Wise Cat”. Pretty trees but boring. We all had a look around a wrecked / abandoned fishing boat which is slowly rotting away. Phil and I went to look at some wooden schooners being built on the shore. They use the natural curves of mahogany branches to make the stringers, all hand built from a model – no drawings. We sailed most of the way to Union which was straight upwind. I rushed off to clear customs and then we motored to the Tobago Cays and anchored next to “Drot”.
24 March 1994 Tobago Cays to Canuoan
We had a nice upwind sail to Canouan. There was no one in the anchorage when we arrived which was great. By three o’clock there were six boats including “Drot”. I went for a dive by myself and saw a six foot nurse shark which swam away as I approached it. There were several queen trigger fish and I tried to grab hold of a huge lobster, but he got away! It was a nice dive. We all went snorkelling accompanied by Tolst and Vivi from “Drot”. I saw a scrawled file fish and a cow fish.
Tolst and Vivi came for dinner. I’ve come up with a business idea – project “Dive Glencora”. What I do is get my Instructors Rating, install a small compressor, buy two sets of dive gear and do dive instruction from the boat. I reckon that if we can stay in the Tobago Cays for three months then I should be able to turn over quite a bit from the charter boats that turn up and want to do a “Discover Scuba” or a dive.
The problems are getting my Instructors Rating (when and where) and getting the equipment (where, how much, etc). I’ll keep looking as we go up-island. I hope to get leaflets printed that I can give out to people as they arrive in the anchorage and maybe go to Yacht Charterers’ week in Antigua to promote my services to the charter operators.
25 March 1994 Canuoan to Bequia
Close reach in 25 knot winds up to West Cay Point. A bit bouncy but bracing. When we rounded the corner, we had 30 knots on the nose so we motored in. The cover that goes on the end of the mizzen boom blew off and, after two attempts to net it, I had to jump in and get it. Gareth was just anchoring off Princess Margaret’s beach as we approached. “Metami” is here too. We all had a barbeque on the beach.
26 March 1994 Bequia
Glenys went into town in the morning and I did a couple of jobs and a lot of windsurfing in very strong winds (25 knots +). Managed to scare myself a few times and did some good water starts. We went to “Dabulamanzi” for drinks after dinner.
27 March 1994 Bequia
Windsurfing, snorkelling and dinner on “Dabulamanzi”. Watched a video.
28 March 1994 Bequia
All of us have got colds – I feel very fluey. I spent most of the day writing letters. We all went into town for an hour. Fi and Glenys went for an hour’s fitness session in Lower Bay run by Allessandra (Italian). These are run on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at five o’clock. She bumped into Drot in town. We had a disaster today, I left the windsurfer in the water tied up to the back of the boat all day and at bedtime found out that the Hydrovane rudder has put a 2ft hole in the sail (o miser!).
29 March 1994 Bequia
I took the sail in for repair. I still feel a bit rough with a cold. Glenys spent the afternoon working on sewing and upholstery for “Dabulamanzi”. Gareth and Fi came for a Mexican dinner.
30 March 1994 Bequia
Picked the sail up in the morning. It looks like they have done a really nice job. I’ve still got a cold and decided not to try it out. Glenys hitched a lift to Kingstown, St Vincent with Dabulamanzi. She went over with Garnet (a local) and Charlie from “Nagual”. She didn’t have much time to shop because she got there at three o’clock and the shops close at four! She came back on the ferry and arrived back at the boat at half past eight. The boys and I went for a beer on “Metani”.
31 March 1994 Bequia
We filled up with fuel and water. The “Daffodil” catamaran has got to be the best way of fuelling ever! It took us 30 minutes total, with zero stress. I went for a dive with Mark and John from “Sancho Panza” at Devils Table which was OK. “Wise Cat” arrived late afternoon. Mark, John and Rowena came for a beer.