Walk with Joseph
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sat 4 Jul 2015 22:57
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Beach Walk with
Joseph
  Scott-Free in Albert Cove – exactly what I signed
up for. Beauty and quiet.
 Tucked in behind the reef that shelters the bay, visible at low
tide.
 Ashore after lunch Maj [aka Chris] “made a step for mankind” pressing the
dinghy anchor into the sand.
   Maj and I scuffed about on the beach
watching the speed the tiny crabs could gallop. The boys went and did scout
stuff. Two chops and a piece of climber became the perfect thirst-quencher.
Steve got straight to it but Bear
needed help before he flew
solo. No need to carry heavy water bottles but not certain they could cut
the correct thing, both did manage to get a significant amount down their tee
shirts. Joseph invited them both to go on a dusk to dark spear fishing adventure
and both were very keen until the word “shark” was
heard.................
 Joseph came sloshing toward us in
wellies that have long been considered in the ‘one careful owner’ bracket. His
welcome was hearty with a sunny smile as he introduced his daughter, Teresa. He
bade us follow him to his house where we met friends in for a days fishing, his
wife Maria, Uncle Bill and an assortment of dogs and pigs. The family stay for a
month at a time before going by boat to Nuku to sell copra and buy necessities.
Having said our greetings, Joseph led us on a beach walk. The picture above is
not a Bounty Bar advertisement, Joseph actually shinned at
speed up the tree to hack off a fresh coconut each. Pity he is wearing a
green tee shirt.
  A bit of
cropping and a jaunty dangle and we could see
Joseph more clearly.
   Expert use of his machete and the boys were soon enjoying fresh coconut water. Maj posed
with what Joseph called “coconut jelly”, I do prefer
the dry ‘coconut shy’ flesh but this did make for a softer, juicier change and
less indigestion.
 After our walk we all settled in the
house and met Angela, little Steve and big brother Ben.
The house had an upper level in one corner with a bed
and mossie net. We sat in the large open plan area on woven coconut matting,
clearly we have to practise getting on the floor with a little more dignity just
as Bear showed how to fall ‘like a tree’. Us ladies sitting with feet to one
side brings certain pins and needles, then we all groan as we come upright.
Outside the house was the cooking hut, no larder, no electrickery, sign of a
toilet or any mod cons - other than a few cooking pots.
 No chaps in red pyjamas wearing green
crash helmets but a kingfisher did sit for us and we
did see some swiftlets and some doves in plain brown uniforms. Time for beer
o’clock on Beez. Later on, the fisherman came out to see us and we gave them a
few litres of petrol and oil for their outboard and wished them a successful
expedition. Off they roared laughing and joking, so lovely to hear.
 At nine o’clock the boys returned and
presented us with some of their catch, sufficient for
supper tomorrow. We in turn gave them one of our pre-prepared goody bags,
thanked them for their hospitality, then went to the task of saddling up the
crabs. I only whispered the word pot and all hell broke loose. Later, I
can say that my claw picking days must have been some time ago – judging by the
kitchen cabinets - just as well I don’t eat them - I have to say I am a bit
partial to a parrot fish fillet.
What did you do at twenty three
hundred, Pepe, I hear you ask..... Oh I washed Bears hammer, dried it and put it
back in the tool shed............... Night night then.
ALL IN ALL SMASHING TO VISIT
BUT I NEED MY CREATURE COMFORTS
VERY
INTERESTING |