Keeping Good Company

Meeting Myrtle & Friends: 28 Apr 09

Laying Eggs & A Ranger

Surprisingly, Cap’n Crewel (yes, GS is missing her sewing!) has allowed some educational entertainments.  Probably giving time for the paint to dry…  In a social whirlwind, we’ve taken the bus to Long Circular Mall and its big supermarket with a ready stock of real (fresh) vegies, attended a “pot luck” dinner and walked 5 hundred miles in the heat to have real coffee in an air-conditioned café.  “Good exercise”, said the Cap’n.  At least we haven’t met the local police force yet.

She feels like suede

We have met a few arrzzies though.  Most have been and gone except for one who has been living here since 2002.  In a boat.  On the hard.  Up that ladder!  I’m stir crazy after 4 weeks.  I want to build a compost heap (under WJ3), put in a clothes hoist, install recycle bins and suggest solar hot water showers to the Yard Supervisor.  I’m also getting to know the local cat population….love me, love my spam.  Anything for a meow and muff!

Measuring & Tagging

Insisting on widening our social circle beyond cats, the Cap’n signed off on a Turtle Tour.  Yes, it’s nesting time and yes, it’s even better than sitting in front of high definition plasma.  Richard Attenborough, eat your heart out!  Organised by local tour guide, Jessie James, of Members Only Taxis, we travelled from Chaguaramas up hill and down dale to avoid sticky peak hour traffic, to Matura Beach, stopping briefly for a Trini-Chinese dinner on the way.  It doesn’t matter what you eat really, everything seems to be deep fried, served in huge platefuls and doused in fiery pepper sauce.  Mmmmmm!

Ms Turtle, a large leatherback matron, made an appearance out of the crashing waves and up to a nice sandy spot.  We stumbled around in the dark with our Guide and tried not to put her off.  Once settled, she expertly dug a nest with her big back flippers then filled it with golf-ball sized eggs. 

Eggs in a Nest

When she lays eggs, she goes into a “trance” (so did GS many years ago, but also said some very rude words at the time!) so that we are able to put on our torches and take photos.  We had to be careful however, not to scare other mamas heading up onto the beach.  Guides have counted 200 to 250 per night over the 4km of beach this season so far – an excellent result for an unfunded program run by dedicated volunteer guides. 

Anyone wanting to adopt a turtle can find details through Nature Seekers.  It’s quite an experience.