Be a Friend, Make a Friend, Part 2
Ambler Isle
V and S
Tue 1 Mar 2011 12:54
|
S/V Baroda had lost their dinghy
overnight. Without a dinghy, we may as well go home. It is our
lifeline. Much like living out in the country without a car. No more
shore visits, no more potlucks on the beach. No shopping trips to
town. No sunsets with neighbors. Nothing. We were in the
middle of our coffee ritual when the VHF call came. But a lost
dinghy cannot wait. Overnight it could have even drifted
from the harbour and gone into the Sound. It could be on the
rocks. So Valt jumped in our dinghy and took Al out in
search. Our dinghy has a 40 hp Yamaha engine, and is sturdy enough to
endure rougher water. It could cover a lot of area
quickly. A couple others volunteer to search nearby waters. Before
Valt left, we heard another situation unfold. Al and Arlene of
S/V Blue Heaven had learned of a family medical emergency back
home. They needed to get to the settlement to a telephone. There
are few pay phones anymore, and the phone company offices are closed on
Saturday. On his way to Baroda, he dropped our Bahama cell phone
off to Blue Heaven. We are all so vulnerable out here.
Chris Parker, the famous celebrity weather
guru flew into Georgetown last night. Lee and Charlie from
Windstar 4 are his hosts. Lee spent the whole week selling,
giving away and finally tossing out much stowed stuff to make room. He
gave the morning weather report, much to the delight of his adoring fans.
We met him in 2003 before he became famous. He came aboard and set up our
first satellite weather programs in exchange for supper. Now folks pay to
attend his annual seminars. Not to mention his person to person single
side band subscriptions, daily radio weather reports, and his text
reports. Keeping us safe is a big business.
An hour later, Valt returned towing the prodigal dinghy
behind. It had gone some 5-6 miles northwest and beached
itself. Waves filled the boat after banging the motor off. Al
would have his work cut out cleaning the sand and sea water out of the
motor. We took our beach walk, then we
decided to go across the harbour about 5 miles to the Palm Bay
Resort. They were hosting a musical sing along with resort guests and
cruisers. They'd even provide bus shuttle every hour for the boaters. We
would just take our dinghy. Because we could. First we'd enjoy
cracked conch dinner at nearby St. Frances Resort. About that time a
big black cloud appeared and even squeezed out a little rain. Tonight
was not a good night for a long dinghy ride. Sailboats Nina,
Shazza, and Gratitude were back from their trips to
Conception Island and Long Island, so we stopped at each boat for a little
chat. Then we went on to St. Frances and joined Tom, Kathy, Rusty and
Joy, Slow Dancing for dinner. They had a home video
made by cruisers who sailed from Nova Scotia to the Bahamas and invited us over
to watch it. It was extremely well done, almost professional in
quality. Besides being very informative, they threaded humor into the
tale. The reluctant captain, exuberant mate, the pirates, the
the news reporter, all played their parts to perfection. (They had a
designated dress- up Pirate Friday night complete with a little ditty they wrote
themselves. Occasionally the news reporter/ mate donned wig, false
teeth, heavy British accent and feather duster mike for her commentary. )
We oohed and ahhed and laughed the whole 85 minutes. They gave us a spare
copy. As usual every evening, the wind kicked up as we returned to
Amber Isle. As usual, it was good to get home.
|