Hooray - School's out!!

Whistling for the Wind

Round my way, the overhead wires display their prisoners - hanging entrails and skeletons of kites they have captured from the local boys' hand-made aerodynamic wonders.
Every part of the kite is the product of ingenious recycling; they need buy nothing except a reel of cotton thread from the local variety store (having plundered Mum's sewing basket).
The fronds of coconut trees provide the ribs which make up the frames of the kite and plastic carrier bags are used to cover the frames and make the tails. Though summer is not ideal kite flying weather (Christmas is). the local boys will 'whistle for the wind' (there's a 2 note melody which is meant to summon the wind) and rustle up a kite in the twinkling of an eye - that is if they aren't out and about scrumping mangoes or plums or down on the beach digging in the sand for sea cockroaches to use as bait at the end of a bamboo fishing rod.
Your kids will take home wonderful memories of carefree days filled with the excitement of new experiences.
The Annual Flying Colours Kite Festival takes place usually on Boxing Day, anyone can participate - Tel: 639 5428 KIDS STUFF

ROVANEL'S RESORT in Bon Accord has a small collection of local wildlife on its spacious grounds - feeding time is around 4 p.m and there is a Restaurant/Bar for drinks & snacks. Stop by at Reception to ask permission. Tel: 639 9666/0652

FORT KING GEORGE MUSEUM open weekdays for excellent displays of historical and Amerindian artefacts; educationally rewarding and the best views/photos. Tel: 639 3970

ENVIRONMENT TOBAGO & BUCCOO REEF TRUST located behind Tambrin Radio in Upper Scarborough and Carnbee Junct respectively, Both voluntary organizations have activities for youngsters. Afterwards reef and rainforest tours will make a lot more sense. Tel: ET 660 7642 and BRT 635 2000/631 1623

DWIGHT YORKE STADIUM & LOCAL SPORTS GROUNDS see a football match at the Stadium or have a kick-about at any Village playing field island-wide. Call the Sports Division for local sports info.Tel: 639 3526/4673 or 660 7655.

HORSE RIDING contact Being with Horses at Buccoo Village Tel: 639 0953, Friendship Stables Tel: 660 8563.

See www.whatsonintobago.com for latest news on events and leisure activities.

Veronika Danzer La Fortune was born in Germany and became a professional equestrian performer in a travelling circus that traversed the European Continent with a herd of 65 horses. Consequently, she visited T&T and fell in love with the people (she married one) and especially with Tobago where she settled in Buccoo.

A fellow artist told her about a horse in Speyside that needed a loving home. Veronika walked the lonely horse from Speyside and so began her extraordinary journey in sharing the world of horses with the villagers, their children and also the island's visitors. They now have 5 horses stabled on the seaside edge of the village.

The sea has always been at the very heart of Buccoo Village life; the provision of fresh fish and having the famous Buccoo Reef on its doorstep as well as its long white sandy beach. It's an invigorating experience to take a horse ride in the shallow sea - good for horses and riders and a lovely sight to see.

With her cheerful, outgoing personality Veronika has expanded her vision to create a charitable arm 'Healing with Horses' that provides free horsemanship skills for the village kids as well as the establishment of an annual summer camp with creative activities for the youngsters.

Volunteers, both local and international have begun to be attracted to this unique project that teaches "True growth in horsemanship can parallel personal development, whereby wisdom, patience and courage increase through horse interactions and in turn improve them.
" RIDE ON…

To book a ride Tel: 868 - 639 0953
www.being-with-horses.com