We both had a wonderful night’s sleep. Lovely breezes keeping us cool and touch wood no mozzies yet. Keep thinking of our German neighbour Regina, in Southside Marina (T&C’s) who caught Dengue Fever here in Martinique in January from a mozzie. She had to have a blood transfusion and went back to Germany to recover for 3 weeks.
Spent most of the day catching up with messages, reassuring some that we were safely at our destination, and we got our full of the lock down humour…..very enjoyable and relaxing. We also managed a combined call to all the kids which was wonderful. Luke’s researching how to make moonshine in his alcohol free lock down in Joburg. Phoeb’s is finding out how difficult parenting can be, when two of her little escape artist ducklings managed to lock themselves into the pit of the pool cover. Hannie is camping out for the night as torch bearer for a camera crew member who is filming termites (apparently she is not very good at it …seems very technical!). They all seem absolutely fine!
Make sure you have the sound on loud enough to hear the French voice!
We also caught up with our Beccles cruisers from Southside marina. They are the only ones left (there until mid May), besides the Canadians, who don’t really count as they live in a flat in town while they are still repairing their boat after two months. We found out that Hugh from Aberdeen with the engine problems was right about the fuel, but it wasn’t contaminated – poor old Bob (75 year old marina owner) had put petrol into the tanks instead of diesel! Extremely awkward, but all got resolved and Hugh is on his way back to Scotland. The Germans have departed and are heading back to Germany. Stephanie from Wales and her posh Coughing Major (we christened him that because he reminded us of the cheating ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ major!) have arrived in Miami which we hear is closed to boats. They are hoping they can progress north as planned. The scary ones were Dennis and Leslie from Detroit, in their early 60’s, but both looked a lot older and pretty unhealthy. They have sold everything to live aboard this knackered old boat and are aiming for Grenada where they will set up permanently in their boat. Apparently 100s of American boats are there living in a big community that never moves, they just live cheaply aboard their boats at anchor. They really didn’t seem to fit in with the majority of us at the marina, maybe because they weren’t really sailors …. and that they proudly flew a Donald Trump 2020 flag! Rowan was cornered by Dennis one day and from then on Rowan was his big mate. Amazingly neither of them could swim so they would float around on these huge purple woggles. By the end he was venturing quite far on his woggle and joining a group of us who always got together on the far side of the marina. She remained very close to the boat at all times. Apparently they left for Peurto Rico which will be a good 5 day passage for them at least, as they can’t stop in the Dominican Republic. The weather isn’t looking that favourable (they will be banging into wind most of the way) and Rowan said he admitted that he hardly ever sails and only motors. I do hope they will be ok, she was very stooped and always sighing poor thing, like R said at least he is a mechanic so is good with engines… hopefully, he looked a bit bumbling to me!
We haven’t met anyone on the boats here yet, we only seem to hear French and only French flags. We think at least 4 of the boats are in a flotilla. I can’t wait to go and explore the village, it looks very quaint, with lovely big green leafy trees right on the beach which makes it look very inviting. Counting the days until Saturday when we will be allowed to go to the shops.
Swimming isn’t quite so inviting with a strongish current and little stingy things!
Rowan made a delicious pizza for a late lunch, but the wind kept blowing out the BBQ and in the end it became an early supper with the aid of the stove. He has perfected his wholegrain base, so with a whole can of anchovies, mozzarella and roast veg left over from last night it was a gourmet feast!
It was another stunning sunset, I think my photos of them are going to get a bit tiresome but I can’t resist them…sorry!. The bright new moon and Venus shining so spectacularly made a stunning night sky. We were both nodding off before 9pm, still exhausted, so early to bed.
The village I can’t wait to explore
The moon and Venus
Discover more from sailingpolepole.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
