16th Charlotteville Tobago

We left Chagauramas at about 12.30pm, after checking out for Tobago, and passed through the boca (the narrow entrance to the bay between islands) with the current and was joined by a pod of dolphins, these were definitely trini dolphins, no dashing about and jumping, just a laid back lope around the boat, although one did wave its tail.

 I did not manage to turn off the engine during the whole passage, although all sails were set, we tacked once back to the North coast of Trinidad, then half way to Grenada before we had a tack that could take us into Man of War bay, still with the wind tight on the bow. I now know why the pilot book recommends that one motor all the way along the North coast of Trinidad and then sail due north Tobago. Since the winds were NE or NNE we were sailing into the wind at the limit of the boat, so going was slow averaging about 2 ½ knots even with the engine.

The inevitable crisis happened at about 3am on the 14^th soon after tacking for Tobago, when the engine grumbled and died, I did get it going again by about 8am after bursting the water trap on the exhaust (which I patched with jubilee clips) after which we motor sailed into this secluded backwater, with the sound of the jungle and waves beside the anchorage.

Man of War Bay

Charlotteville from anchorage in Pirate bay

Bay from shore Snow White arrowed

  Having gone ashore to check in with customs and immigration I found that this weekend is a big fishing tournament attracting a number of big white noisy plastic boats, although they did make quite a spectacle leaving at first light! I was hoping to post this yesterday but it has been grey and raining so not a pleasant dingy ride.

Having got wet by the rain yesterday, today I misjudged my arrival on the beach and got wet to the thighs, computer and caamera OK as in a waterproof bag, oh dear the rain is on again, and this is meant to be the dry season!