Ratch!

The feeling one gets when in Tobago is just one of peace and tranquility. Today the familia headed off to Buccoo for a quiet BBQ and even though there was some rain, that did not change the price of cocoa. We had the beach to ourselves, bar one or two families who came and went whilst we were there. Just peace and quiet. When we were leaving the horses arrived with a group of children and I thought what better way to spend your vacation than to come to Buccoo.
Of course the Buccoo Stadium was empty, what a waste of money. I am not saying for one minute we should not have crab and goat racing but to spend $100.0M on a facility that is used for a handful of days in any one year is sinful. Next to it is the Buccoo Multi-purpose Facility and on the beach is a broken down jetty for the fishermen, no refueling station no marina facilities for visiting yachts or sport fishermen. I guess the deal with fishermen is that if on election day fish biting then that is where the fishermen are going to be, so no vote for you, and that is my simple theory why fishermen are treated the way they are treated in the twin island state. If someone has another theory then I would love to hear it.

Still on matters relating to the sister isle I see that the 12 passenger Cabo Star cargo vessel has dropped anchor in the Port of Spain harbor. The passenger ferry, the Ocean Flower 2, is still making her way down the west coast of the US heading towards the Panama Canal with her final port being Trinidad. Once the vessels arrive then the convoluted paperwork starts. When the Galicia arrived in May 2014 it took ages for the paperwork to be done, I can only assume that the same diligence will be the order of the day with the replacement ferries.
Still a matter of concern is who are the owners and local agents of both vessels. Why is this an issue, why is it that no one knowns anything? The Minister of Ferries is as ignorant of any fact regarding the contracted ferries. The Chairman of the PATT, a person who spent her professional life in the public service is also as ignorant of the pertinent facts as is the Minister. So, who is minding the store? I guess the status quo remains the same with this administration's historic style of doing business when it comes to the ferry business. Ratch!
The existing fast ferry, T&T Spirit, will not be in operation in the near future. How come the Minister of Ferries is not aware of the situation? If he was not aware when asked the question he literally could have picked up the phone and in two and a half minutes got the full low down. Instead he looks like a person who is either totally out of his depth [or draught in this case] or is lying through his teeth.  Once again people on the rock, these two replacement ferries are costing the country a bomb and no one knows why!

The big, anxiously awaited meeting between the PMOTT and the LOTO happened and that was it. It happened, so plebs, you cannot say it did not happen. There!

Tomorrow we return to the big island. I hope another piece of bad weather does not land and create the havoc that we saw with the passing of 'Bret' and 'Don.' Gawd help us if a real storm hits us. The frightening thing is that there has been zero statements as to what the Minister of Ferries and now Storms intends to do about the flooding. High winds will always be a challenge. I remember when Grenada was hit by 'Ivan' nearly 90% of the buildings were damaged. Flooding is another issue especially when man made. There is still a semi submerged barge blocking the mouth of the Diego Martin River, WASA still has water mains installed across the Maraval River that hinder the flow of water when the river is in flood mode. These are things that are manageable and as always with proper planning we can avoid a catastrophe.
Hats off to the Caura limers, who were stranded as a result of the river flooding, for listening to the fire service rescuers and leaving the curry goat and chicken behind.

I have started to trace my heritage in Tobago and today met 'a family' with whom I will try and find out if there is any relation to Charles Fitzgerald Cadiz, AG for Tobago in the early 1800s.

Goodnight and good luck!