Adventures on Beannacht

Our last night out with the folks at 'De Loose Mongoose' in Trellis Bay

Tom:

Who would have thought that Haze and I would be sitting on a yacht in the Caribbean swimming, learning to snorkle and sailing from one mooring to another, expertly piloted by Keli and Stu, who are extremely competent at handling the Beneteau. The temperature is in the high twenties and the breeze helps to cool us down. Swimming is a delight and certainly beats the breathtaking experiences of swimming at home.

Hazel and I have coped well on the boat and Keli and Stu have worked hard to accommodate our needs and make the whole experience really enjoyable. I think Hazel has better sea legs and more explicitly a better sea stomach than me, but I have coped ok and it hasn’t put me off my food. Stu has impressed me by his culinary talents, with chowder and corn bread and Keli’s salads are a delight. The pre dinner sessions have been populated by a variety of aperitifs including an Apocalypso, gin and tonic (big Bob Mullan might even make a visit) and rum and coke.

Days come and go and it is amazing how the days go in doing almost nothing, but tomorrow begins the next stage of our holiday when we say Farewell to Stu and Keli and fly with LIAT airlines to Barbados. We had an interesting and very frustrating journey with LIAT on the way here and discovered the locals say LIAT stands for ‘leave the island any time’. We arrived on Monday instead of Sunday.

Thanks to Stu and Keli for giving us a nautical introduction to the British Virgin Islands. This turned out to be a much better place to sail than Tobago. We wish them well as we move on and they will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord protect and watch over their going out and their coming in.

Best Wishes

Ould Tom or T Unit

Three Queen Helmet shells that were right under our boat today!

Hazel:

And a last word from Hazel (some would say what’s new!) This has been such an amazing experience – just a joy to see Stu and Keli again, and to have time to relax and share their life on Beannacht. We have all adapted pretty well to sharing what are quite small living quarters for 4 people, and holidays on the caravan have definitely helped there. In other ways it has been more physical than I expected – learning to bend and fit into quite small places between the various ropes and metal bars as you move around the boat. So bruises are now a way of life, and indeed a badge of honour, as all sailors have them! But I haven’t fallen off, and my balance is definitely better than when I started.

We have had some hysterical moments, especially when I am snorkelling and they attach fins to my feet. My brain then disengages, and the legs wander off in all directions, leaving me completely helpless. But eventually I have got to grips with basic snorkelling ie how to breathe under water without drowning, and it was so worth it. The fish and coral are so beautiful, and I’ve seen colours I would never have believed existed under the sea. But then I have to climb back onto the dinghy! What a sight that must have been! But with a hoick from Tom and a shove to the derriere from Stu, they finally got the bosom over the edge and hurray, I’m back on board!!

So come on you land lubbers! Who is next for the big adventure?? Some helpful hints for you if you are thinking about the packing:

Bring some motion sickness tablets – you may need then, and although Stu and Keli can offer suppositories, you may not feel that is the way to go! We certainly didn’t.

Either grow your hair long enough to tie back, or get it cut short. I didn’t, you can’t buy clips in the Caribbean, and I have spent my last 9 days with my hair scraped back in a band, and tucked into a hat. Another new experience, and not necessarily pretty!

Don’t bring anything yellow with you if they are toilet training a new cat. Enough said!

For similar reasons, do not put your foot in the cat litter tray when you fall over. Not saying anything more about that either. (But actually, Anzuelo is a great kitten, and I really hope he survives his probationary period. He spent some of last night on my bed and didn’t piddle on me once! That’s because the sheets were green ones)

Lastly bring really strong insect repellent for some really strong insects at the marinas! My legs look like I have had the plague and survived, but with permanent scarring.

This has been the most amazing time, and I have discovered that if you aren’t being sick in a bucket, sailing is great fun, especially if the wind is behind you, and the sun is shining! And there are always cocktails to be had to help you recover. This is the life!

Much love and thanks to Stu and Keli, the most amazing hosts! We are so proud of you both. Will start saving for a family trip to the Med?

Hazel.