Leaving CA
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Thu 18 Mar 2010 22:40
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Finally, we can leave
Charlotte Amalie
 We have watched so many
comings...............
 ............................and
goings of the various cruise ships.
 The most we saw in line was four, some
days none at all. One day at four we were walking past the their quayside and
the queue to get on board looked like a Stones concert security
check
The second installment of the
Morrison's AAA Battery Fiasco. All I hoped was whoever Bear engaged to help us
was not called Alberto and spoke good English after the last idiot who would
have had us buy three new boat batteries for lots of money, that were half the
power of ours and too big for our space.
Friday the 26th of February. As soon
as the anchor was down we went to Yacht Haven Marina Office to ask if they knew
of someone who could help us. They gave us the number for Vince, being a Friday
afternoon it was too much to hope he may drop past on his way home for the
weekend. He told us to ring on Monday morning as he didn't have
appointment diary on him. BUT he could help us he said reassuringly.
Monday the 1st of March dawned and as
soon as it was nine o'clock Bear was on the blower. Vince was set to arrive at
four. Over the weekend we had busied ourselves with chores, internet cafes and
several strawberry daiquiri and bushwacker cocktails - well that makes the
internet free then doesn't it and its a good signal from the Green House
pub...............
Monday afternoon. Vince and his
gadget bag arrives, he is a neatly built South African who had spent his early
adulthood in London before moving to America, marrying and settling here on St
Thomas. His readings confirmed it was definitely the alternator and the
batteries were all well. Unscrewed and in his bag, alternator and smart charger
left Beez Neez, Vince said he would give it to his mate to bench test it and
repair it - he said confidently.
Tuesday the 2nd no word.
Wednesday Vince called to say he would be with us in the morning, all fixed for
$200.
Thursday the 4th - Vince says "All
righty" quite often. As soon as the fixed gizmo was put on - it produced
no power - either not repaired, improperly repaired or blown. I was getting
heated at this point and demanded the men buy a new one and stop fannying around
or words to that effect. With no reliable internet and too many cocktails to be
sensible by the time we do get connected, Vince said he would investigate buying
a new one that night when he got home.
Friday the 5th of March. Vince had
located what we need from West Marine in the US, but due to the cost and not
knowing us, he needed to drop by for $500 toward the cost. Friday night he rang
to say it was en route and would take three to four days, UPS was so much
cheaper than Fedex and counted weekend days as ordinary he said firmly.
Bear said he would take me to Brewers
Drop for the weekend but as we were firmly anchored, the sun wasn't out and it
kept spitting with rain, I said we could sip juice and play Backgammon and
Upword. There we settled to the task. However we now gamble whilst playing
Backgammon. I lost sixty four dollars and fell into a deep pelt that only a good
sort out would abate. Bear hid as I filled Baby Beez to overflowing. I felt much
better as a result. Bear felt ransacked.
I'm
making no comment here as it will turn into a Janet and John
moment - that always results in pain for me and as I keep hitting the top
of my head for some strange reason, I'm being threatened to have to wear a crash
hat as it is.
Monday no word, Tuesday nor
Wednesday. Thursday Vince rang to say our box was having a rest in San Juan,
Puerto Rico. He wouldn't expect it until Monday morning. Was deep depression
setting in. No. We are made of sterner stuff, more Backgammon and Upword but I
was placated with an oversize bottle of Rose - funnily enough a small South
African number................
Monday the 15th, no
word.
Vince calls on Tuesday the 16th to
tell us he hasn't got the alternator in his hands, but, he hopes to nail it
tomorrow and be round in the late afternoon.
Wednesday the 17th he finally arrives
some time in the afternoon with the cardboard box we have so wished to see.
Vince tells us the package has been on the island since Thursday the 11th,
touring around in the back of the delivery chaps van - sightseeing. The company
that sent it had Vince's address down wrong............... All fitted and
charging HOORAH. We can make a run for it in the morning, this three weeks has
seemed pretty endless at times, but wait Vince hasn't done the bill yet, he will
be round with it in the morning.
Thursday the 18th. As usual we are on
Caribbean time so by eleven I ask Bear to ring Vince, find out the cost and meet
us in Bad Ass, the coffee drinkers internet cafe. No bushwacker today as
we try our escape.
 Meet
the latest, newest fixture on Beez Neez. The white thing is the
new alternator and on the left wall, the blue box - it's brain. For the
princely sum of $1424 including fitting- add to this the cocktails???- but still
cheaper than UK parts only!
 To our final sunset the first
decent one since we have been here
 As Bear was finally getting the anchor up there was a sudden
call for me to halt...... Oh No Charlotte Amalie is conspiring to keep us here
forever.... Bear had thought we had got snagged in a buoy rope but with a bit of
tugging up came a bucket. Off to fill with fuel and
water and find the open sea.
ALL IN ALL A VERY PLEASANT PLACE TO GET
STUCK
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