Monday, 7th March 2011
We are here a week today, and thinking back over the week, it must be said that Rally Control had a difficult time, trying to organise things around here is difficult and as said before, time means nothing. We have said before that we think Paul & Suzana have done a great job for the World ARC and generally have made life very easy for the fleet, especially when entering and leaving Ports, organising parties and tours, not to mention all the paperwork.
Still the week was different and enjoyable and we are ready to go now, however "go" is next Thursday when we leave for Grenada. It is the last leg of the trip, and a distance of more than 2,000 miles.
Early, as skipper was typing the blog, Herman called to A Lady and explained that they (himself and Silvia) were unable to join us for the next leg, it was very obvious to us, that they were very disappointed, and so were we. That leaves Skipper,the First Mate Aileen, & Suzana from Rally Control, who will be joining us for this leg. The winds and current are expected to be in our favor (mind you, we have heard this before, and they were anything but, BUT).
You know the way things go wrong, well one of the local yachts got the tide all wrong and hit the mud bank at the marina entrance on their way out to sea, and it was a falling tide, so the boat just just lay down on her side and spent the day stuck there. Ohhhh, that sinking feeling.....................
We spent most of the day pottering around the boat, then up to the pool for a swim and this was followed by having lunch in the Yacht Club, all very civilized.
We invited Dick and Irene, Dave and Sue, Joe and Judy, and John and Jenny for drinks at 6.30pm on board A Lady. This was good fun, again swopping stories, and as most of them are British ( except Joe & Judy, who are Yanks, actually Canadian but live in the US). Skipper got great pleasure in rubbing in the fact that Irelands cricket team beat England in the World Limited Overs. The England team just having won the Ashes recently. Ohhhhh, that was good........ (news received from Alan Mc Millan, Belfast).
When we were finished, we all toddled off to Spettus the steak restaurant, and had another great meal, and plenty of wine. Skipper even managed to play a little on the grand piano before leaving the restaurant to return to the Marina.
We lifted the rib out of the water, as we usually do (because the water is so dirty) however, on this occasion skipper managed to drop the stopper from the hull into the drink. Ohhhh my Gawd, we will have to get inventive here as we do not have a spare.
Shortly after, it started to rain, and real heavy rain at that.
That's all,
Signed :- Stephen Hyde ( Skipper )