It
has been a long time with no Dream Times, but we have been short on
events.
In
our last number we introduced our new man, Heine, who loves to dive. But
after we had spent a fortnight at the same marina, he became sick and
tired of the place, and as Dennis was to go to Denmark, Heine accompanied
him to Tobago. The plan was that they were to dive and surf together there,
but it cost a minor fortune, so they only had one dive.
Dennis
went home on 23.January in order to spend a little vacation. We will see
him again in the end of February.
Senne
has also left the ship for a short period. It was time to walk
hand-in-hand on Margarita. René was lucky enough to have Heine back
before Senne left, it is kind of hard to be the only man onboard a ship
this size…
The
29.Janunary was the big day. Our replacement part for the engine had
arrived from Denmark. Now we only had to fetch the 100kg box at the
airport.
But
it was Saturday and who wanted to go all the way out there. Having
searched at the marina many time we finally an Indian who was willing to
help. He did have a couple of small tasks to fix first, but could just
come along. This was the beginning of sightseeing through a large part of
the sub urbane areas, and last a visit at his own place. We were invited
in, he was to have a quick cup of coffee and in the meantime his wife
would just show us the handcraft she made. It was homemade ornaments with
old Indian design. It was unique and pretty but nothing for Heine and René,
so we did not buy any. It was interesting to see how they lived, but it
was a bad timing because we were looking more at our watches than at the
surroundings.
Finally
we reached the airport and after a chat with a couple of chaps we found
the right man. We had to fill out forms and pay taxes, even though it was
transit goods. Having done that we had to meet a superior, elderly and
sullen man, who wanted to see passports and ship's papers. This arose a
problem. We had not informed the customs, in the town of our present
whereabouts, that we had a parcel at the airport. It is the custom in that
town that is to check the package. Now we were send around, back and forth.
A younger man who was in a more responsible position, and not too
particular, told us to remember that in the future. He wrote something on
our papers and gave us 3 hours to find the “right” customs, and to
have the package examined.
Relieved
we left for Port of Spain with the box on the van. Here we found Ali, who
in a hurry told us what the different parts we used for, but our female
interpreter did not know the technical words so she only said OK.
When
we got the box onboard the ship we went with Balu, the other Danish ship,
on a weekend trip to a cosy bay, an hours sail from the marina. We all
needed to get away and see other surroundings and René had birthday
Sunday so that was also a good cause. We went ashore at Scotland Bay and
we collected firewood for a good bonfire and we lit the grill. It was a
nice evening, and some continued onboard the boat but René, weighed by
age fell asleep but birthday songs roused him several times. When we came
back Sunday evening Heine and René went to a restaurant LightHouse to
have a nice birthday menu.
Monday
came and we were to fix the engine. The new parts were given to Lawrance,
who is our mechanic. René and Heine could not do much in the engine area
so a snorkel trip was arranged. It is not a good place to dive/snorkel but
still better than to sit at the marina.
On
our trip back a powerboat sailed us under. We did not see or hear anything
before it was just behind us. In spite of the speed of the boat we were
not injured; only a few scratches but it was a shock we had to overcome.
7.February
a lucky day because the engine is to be installed. It had been started at
the mechanic’s, and
worked, so now we were almost ready to sail away. But…. it was not going
to be like that. The problem we had had in the first place, was still
there. The only improvement was that we had got rid of the smoke. Lawrance
and his 1,5 helpers (one is very lazy), screw and unscrew but nothing
happens. Finally they end up removing the cylinder head again and find out
that it only works with 3 cylinders. The cylinder head it sent to be
checked –The pump also.
13.Feb
everything is mounted again. The motor is running, but not cylinder 1. The
pump has been checked twice and it still gives too much diesel to the
first cylinder. Lawrance who is about to be desperate brings the pump to
service himself Monday morning.
Thursday
17 the pump is to be checked at the very Bosch workshop, the pump is a
Bosch, now it must work!! But no, the pump works all right but the engine
is not at optimal rating. Maybe we should consider the carnival in the
beginning of March….
Heine
has also left the boat. He was invited to a 3 days trip to the
neighbouring islands by the Danish boat Marie-Louise. He will get the
opportunity to have a couple of dives and we see something else than
powerboats.