1 October 1994 Scotland Bay, Trinidad to La Vache Bay
We pottered around in the morning. Scotland Bay is very peaceful. I saw an osprey and we heard loud raucous calls which we think were howler monkeys. We motored up the north coast and anchored close to shore in La Vache Bay. This is another beautiful spot with the rainforest coming down the steep slopes to the sea. The anchorage is a bit rolly but sheltered.
We did some swimming, snorkelling and body board skiing. It’s great not to have to think about doing jobs. Brett, Craig and I went for an explore up a path and met an old guy in a rough shack. He comes here to sit in seclusion and read the bible at weekends. He very kindly gave us a couple of avocados.
A local fisherman rowed over with his two sons, gave us a couple of breadfruit and some tips on line fishing. Apparently tuna is good bait. We gave him some books for his children to read. We all then did some fishing and caught a few small fish.
2 October 1994 La Vache Bay to Maracas Bay
We motored around to Maracas Bay. The anchorage is very nice. The boys went to the beach and played with some local kids. We watched the locals fishing with a seine net. It got stuck on the bottom causing 30 minutes of mayhem and some very colourful language.
Glenys and I had a go at cleaning the waterline – we still have tar marks. We got ready to sail, had dinner and went to bed with the alarm set for midnight.
3 October 1994 Maracas Bay to Store Bay, Tobago
We motored out of Maracas Bay at midnight and motored up the coast. Glenys was on watch when we passed an unlit fishing boat. She didn’t see it until it was about 40ft off our port side. I had a similar experience with a fishing boat with a single white light. It is very difficult to judge distance with a single white light and we were on it before I knew it.
By seven o’clock, we had reached the north east tip of Trinidad and struck out for Tobago. The wind was dead on the nose, so we motored the whole way. We went into Scarborough, anchored, cleared customs, did some shopping, bought some rotis for lunch and set sail for the south coast of the island. We spend the night in Store Bay which was a bit rolly.
4 October 1994 Store Bay to Bucoo Bay
Glenys did school work in the morning and I went to the local dive shop for some advice on local dive sites. We then went round to Bucoo Bay and anchored next to “Mini Titanic”. We had met Hans and Siegred in Almeria, Spain in September 1993. We went snorkelling and went to the beach before going to “Mini Titanic” for lots of punch and red wine. The boys had a good time messing about with Hans who kept trying to lock them in his engine compartment.
5 October 1994 Bucoo Bay
I did school work with Brett while Glenys made a new wind-scoop for the back hatch. It kept raining last night and we were hot. We also rocked and rolled last night, so we put out a stern anchor to keep us stern to the swell. It rained most of the day and Craig wasn’t feeling well, so we had a quiet day in.
6 October 1994 Bucoo Bay to Man of War Bay
We motored round to Mount Irvine Bay which is very nice but rolly. Glenys and I did a dive off the headland. We then motored to Great Courland Bay, had lunch and decided to press on up the coast because the anchorage was very rolly. We stopped for a quick look at Parlatuvier Bay but decided to carry on as the bay is small, crowded with fishing boats and (you’ve guessed) very rolly. We went to Man of War Bay and had to anchor in 20 metres of water. What a busy day.
7 October 1994 Man of War Bay
Glenys did school work in the morning and I wrote letters. In the afternoon, we went for a quick look at the town, Charlotteville, and then walked to Pirate Bay. Charlotteville is a small village and Pirate Bay has a lovely beach. It would be a great anchorage, but we can’t anchor there because the locals fish with seine nets every day. Brett caught 5 big eyes which tasted wonderful.
8 October 1994 Man of War Bay
School work in the morning. We mooched about in the afternoon getting grumpy with each other. It kept raining and we were rolling a lot. Eventually we went to the beach. I went off by myself and had an hour’s snorkelling. I snared a fair sized lobster, but it had eggs so I had to let it go.
9 October 1994 Man of War Bay to Anse Bateau
We motored around to Anse Bateau which is lovely. Nice little bay with good beach, fresh wind and good snorkelling. We went for a dive and then to the hotel for lunch and a couple of beers. We had lunch with Steve, Linda and Dave (7) from “Maccabee”. They are the only other boat in the anchorage. We all walked down to Speyside past an old water wheel amongst the ruins of a sugar mill. The sun shone and life was wonderful.
10 October 1994 Anse Bateau
This anchorage is so nice that we decided to stay a few days. After school work and lunch Glenys and I went for another dive, this time with Steve and Linda. Brett and Craig played with Dave. “Maccabee” came to our boat for a communal dinner. Filled 2 scuba tanks.
11 October 1994 Anse Bateau
I had a lazy morning finishing a good novel. Glenys did school work and then we went out to a restaurant called “Jemmas” for lunch. I did an hour’s snorkelling in the afternoon. We were invited to “Maccabee” for dinner.
12 October 1994 Anse Bateau to Hog Island, Grenada (Day 1)
Up early and motored around to Scarborough. Cleared out, did some shopping and went round to Store Bay. We caught a tuna on the way round. I filled 3 scuba tanks. We sorted ourselves out and left at six o’clock in the evening with not much wind. The wind died after a short sail and we had to motor a fair bit.
13 October 1994 Anse Bateau to Hog Island, Grenada (Day 2)
The wind picked up enough to sail at five in the morning and very pleasant it was. We cleared in at Prickly Bay and motored to Secret Harbour, where we filled up with water and fuel. We then motored round to Hog Island for lunch. The boys went to the beach and I went snorkelling for lobster. I saw quite a few of the little devils, but they eluded me.
We picked up some mail. The estate agent reckons that our house is only worth £70K which is a bit depressing since it cost us £95K and we have an £80K mortgage! I suppose that we will have to hang on another year and see what happens. I’ve not received my new manuals from PADI which I ordered in August – I’ll have to send them another fax.
14 October 1994 Hog Island
I spent all day running around. I went into town and picked up the mail. I called at Federal Express to pick up the fridge controller, but I was told that I needed a form from customs in Prickly Bay. Back to the boat for lunch and then walked over to Prickly Bay and eventually got the required form from them. I went into town and picked up the fridge controller. Glenys meanwhile did school work. When I got back Glenys and I went snorkelling and I caught 2 lobsters. The new fridge controller seems to work OK.
15 October 1994 Hog Island to Prickly Bay
I went diving with John from “Naia”. I emptied two tanks but didn’t catch any lobster. I filled 2 tanks. I did Lesson 1 of Craig’s Grade 1 – he’s so excited. We sailed to Prickly Bay in the afternoon and went to Gary and Donna’s for dinner. We had a very nice evening and Gary brought me up to date on the continuing saga of Bob.
16 October 1994 Prickly Bay to Hog Island
We all had a lazy Sunday morning reading our books. I picked Donna up at midday and we sailed round to Hog Island for the Sunday barbeque. Glenys, Donna and I went for a quick snorkel and I spotted some lobster but they were at 15 metres and too deep to try to catch. I dropped Glenys and Donna off at the beach and went back for the lobster with a tank. I caught 3 x 1lb lobsters and gave one to Donna (after we cooked it!). A nice day.
17 October 1994 Hog Island
After schoolwork, I repaired the windlass which had chewed up the main shaft key. Then I spent the afternoon lounging about reading a book. Glenys earned £2.50 repairing a sheet for a Belgian lady.
18 October 1994 Hog Island
School work in the morning. I decided to work out our tax and financial position and worked until bed time only pausing for meal breaks – boring! It rained most of the day and Glenys occupied herself sewing. The boys went to the beach.
19 October 1994 Hog Island
School work in the morning. I spent a few hours on our finances and then did a dive with Glenys. We caught 2 lobsters. I filled 1 scuba tank. I was filling the second tank when a gust of wind slammed the box lid and knocked the air pipe overboard. I didn’t notice at the time and the second tank is now full of exhaust fumes. I’ll have to empty it. I tried to find the air pipe but the visibility is only about two feet.
20 October 1994 Hog Island
School work in the morning. I then went into St Georges to get some money and a new pipe for the compressor. My gold credit card is being declined. I must fax the bank. I spent the afternoon on our finances. Glenys sewed “Glencora” on the mizzen cover.
21 October 1994 Hog Island
School work and finances. I filled 6 tanks. I did a dive with John from “Naia” and we caught 4 medium lobster. Glenys didn’t come with us because she was asked to paint a courtesy flag for a South African guy. We went for drinks on “Naia”.
22 October 1994 Hog Island
I spent all day on our finances and income tax again. We’ve spent about £14K in the last 6 months which is twice as much as we should be spending. What is even worse is that I calculate that we owe £2K income tax for 93/94 tax year. We have got £45K free cash at the moment so if we decide to go through Panama we can only spend £15K per year for 3 years. Our care free holiday is over - we must tighten up on our expenditure.
23 October 1994 Hog Island
Glenys and I did a dive. She had her first real go at navigating, got lost and then found her way. Good confidence boosting stuff! We went to the Sunday barbeque. I filled 2 tanks. Caught 2 lobsters.
24 October 1994 Hog Island
School work in the morning. It was a miserable day – overcast and raining. I couldn’t motivate myself so I read a book. I sent a fax to PADI to get some stuff sent to Bequia and another fax to the bank to get my credit card cleared.
Craig is doing really well in his schoolwork. I’m teaching him while Glenys teaches Brett and I really enjoy it. It’s a very well structured course and Craig is ready to start reading. Brett is keen on Famous Five Books and can read one a day – insatiable!
25 October 1994 Hog Island
Schoolwork in the morning and then we tidied up the boat after two weeks of chaos. John and I went for a dive and caught lobster. John and Chris from “Naia” came for dinner. I’m afraid we got a bit drunk.
26 October 1994 Hog Island to St Georges Lagoon
Major hangover. We sailed/motored round to the lagoon and went straight out to the Nutmeg for lunch. Three beers later I was feeling better. I tried to get some cash out with my gold card but no joy! We did some shopping and I bought some oil to do an engine oil change. Quiet dinner of lobster (again!)
27 October 1994 St Georges Lagoon to Prickly Bay
We motored to Dragon Bay where Glenys and I did a dive. Motored to Prickly Bay. I filled 3 tanks. Gary and Donna came around for dinner. Gary has quit his job with Scuba World.
It came to a head on a dive on the Bianca C about a week ago. Bob did the dive with an advance OW student and 4 others. Bob, the student and another came up the anchor line and the others missed the line. There was a strong current and the group doing the free ascent drifted downstream. Bob surfaced with his student without doing a safety stop and went into a blind panic. He tried to get out of the water in full gear, dragged his student out of the water and screamed and shouted. They buoyed the anchor and went screaming off to get the “missing group”. Bob got on the radio and said they had missing divers. They picked up the other group (after Bob tried to run them down with the boat) and went back for the anchor.
The anchor was on the stern of the Bianca C in 50 metres and Gary went down to try to free it. In the meantime Bob had got a rope around the propellor and couldn’t go forward to help Gary. They had to drop the anchor. Gary and Bob had an argument and Gary quit. It turns out that a rival dive shop went and got the anchor and the 300ft warp. Bob and Pam are accusing Gary of stealing it! I think Gary is relieved to be free of Bob. Gary looks like he’s got a job at another dive centre which pays him more, so it’s probably worked out OK.
I rang my mum and dad. They are coming out to Antigua on 14 January and return on 14 February. My brother, Andrew was at Poiares – he’s been made redundant and his wife, Gillian is pregnant with their second child. He sounds fairly relaxed about it, but he’s always chilled...
28 October 1994 Prickly Bay to Hog Island
We motored around to Secret Harbour. Filled up with water and diesel. We got a fax from the bank. Our card is being refused because we have gone overdrawn at the bank. I rang Carol to get her to transfer £13K from Glenys’ building society to Jersey. I also got a fax from PADI – they’ve dispatched some bits to Bequia.
We went around to Hog Island and did school work. I dinghied back round to Secret Harbour in the evening to ask Bob for a job for a couple of weeks, but he’s already got two new instructors from England. I don’t know whether to be sad that he doesn’t want me or happy that I don’t have to work for him!
29 October 1994 Hog Island
School work in the morning. I changed the engine oil - it took 3 hours to do it and clean up – what an awful job! I played the clarinet and read in the afternoon.
30 October 1994 Hog Island
Glenys and I went for a dive and I caught a 2½ lb lobster. I filled 2 tanks. We went to the beach barbeque. Gareth and Fi arrived at about five in the afternoon. They gave us the good news that Fi is pregnant and we retired to “Dabulamanzi” for champagne and lobster. The boys watched TV (of course!)
31 October 1994 Hog Island to Prickly Bay
Glenys went out and sold £50 worth of table linen and flags while I stayed in doing school work. We then motored round to Prickly Bay to clear out. The customs guy asked what time I was leaving. “As soon as I’m ready”. He wouldn’t accept this and wanted a specific time – “half past three” (of course). I felt guilty all afternoon. At five o’clock, Glenys remembered that we had left some gas bottles at Secret Harbour, so we’ll have to go around there first thing in the morning.