The White House, Charlotteville, Tobago

The storm hit Charlotteville in the early hours of Sunday 31st October. I have never known such heavy rain anywhere in the world but there was little wind. The rain continued for about 5 or 6 hours. The small stream by the White House became a frightening surging torrent. The road by the house was a river flowing over the bridge. Afterwards groups of people quietly walked the village to see the damage and who needed help. We could see landslides all around. Thankfully no one in Charlotteville was seriously injured but some houses were severely damaged with mud flowing through them. The village roads were covered in inches of mud and some were impassable by cars. We went down to the village centre and there was a party going on, a celebration that we had survived and life goes on. What spirit. Next day the big cleanup began. Meanwhile Tomas proceeded north, became a full blown hurricane and caused severe destruction in some of the islands. For instance St Lucia lost most of its banana crop.

Following the recent general election, the new Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago is Kamla Persad-Bissessar, sworn in on May 26, 2010. The leader of the United National Congress (UNC), she is the country’s first female prime minister. She leads the People’s Partnership which is a coalition of five parties.

The previous government led by Patrick Manning of the People’s National Movement (PNM) had been in power for 13 of the last 17 years.

Horace, one of our neighbours often brings fresh fruit and vegetables for sale from his garden.

Delicious.

The dry season was extremely dry this year and bush fires were a problem in many parts of Tobago.

There were fires near The White House but the local people controlled them and they did not affect the White House.

Recently the rains have started.

Tuna, Kingfish, Snappers, Groupers, Lobsters and other fish are brought in by Charlotteville fishermen almost every day.

The fishing is done in an ecologically friendly way, in small boats with rod and line. You will often hear the traditional conch shell being blown to tell the village that fish is for sale. It’s not always easy to buy small pieces of fish as the fishermen prefer to sell a whole fish. So ask if you can buy just a piece. You may have to wait.

The fish in the restaurants is the most delicious you will taste anywhere.