Guest Report

[Tony Gregson]

We, a party of three, stayed at Toad Hall for 14 days from 25 Jan to 8 Feb 2007. Originally we had booked two weeks at Young's House through the wonderfully helpful Iris of Yes Tourism. Unfortunately there was a double-booking problem, (or fortunately, as it turned out) and Iris came up with Toad Hall as an alternative.

We were met at Crown Point Airport by a friendly driver from Yes Tourism who took us to Penny Savers in Canaan and waited while we got some supplies in. On arrival in Castara we were met by Horace Jackson who, along with his lovely wife Suzanne, look after the Toad Estate, (Toad Heights, Toad Hall and Tadpoles) while the owners are away. Horace showed us how to set the burgular alarm and gave us his mobile phone no. with instructions to call him if we needed anything, (there is a telephone in the bedroom which can be used to call anywhere in Tobago).

Toad Hall is, as advertised, in it's own secluded valley, (with lemon, papaya and custard-apple trees) and is accessed from a track at the side of the ever-smiling Miss Joycey's place. This is a communal track that is used by the neighbours to get to and from their homes from Northside Road so you get to meet quite a few locals. OK there's no sea view but it is only a five minute amble down to Heavenly Bay or a couple more minutes to Big Bay. Castara is so small that nothing is more than a stroll away.

The house itself had everything we required and more, a large living space, good kitchen facilities, safety-deposit box and a walk-in cold shower. The downstairs double bedroom has a fan and mosquito net and the mezzanine bedroom the same. Horace replaced the towels and bedding every three days. The only complaint came from my friend Paul who kept banging his head in the restricted roof space in the mezzanine area. Well, he never actually complained but uttered the occasional choice turn of phrase whenever his head came into sharp contact with wood.

The best feature of Toad Hall is the long verandah at the back of the house where we whiled away many an hour watching and feeding the birds. In the evenings, after strolling up the hill from whatever eating establishment or rum shop we had limed at, we would sit and watch the geckoes on the ceiling and the bats silently flying around our heads accompanied by the soundtrack of the nocturnal rainforest.

I can't recommend Horace highly enough. This man is a mine of information. He took us on a rainforest tour and twice drove Janette and I to Sunday School in Buccoo where he stayed until we were ready to return to Castara. He even helped organise our DIY wedding, introducing us to the minister, Brent Hart, suggesting an incredible place for the ceremony, even being a witness. Horace Jackson is a registered tour guide and, as well as rainforest tours, will take you around the Island or arrange boat hire. He is highly thought of by other guides and can be contacted on Tobago on 733 6829.

OK there's no sea view but it is only a five minute amble down to Heavenly Bay or a couple more minutes to Big Bay. Castara is so small that nothing is more than a stroll away. We loved staying at Toad Hall, (or Steve & Rita's place as it is better known locally). We didn't want to leave and if time, money and availability were to allow it we would return tomorrow.

Tony G