Beez Neez now Chy Whella - Paul's Pirogue

Paul's Pirogue

Beez Neez now Chy Whella

Big Bear and Pepe Millard

Fri 27 Sep 2019 23:47

Paul's Pirogue

We met Paul and his grandson, along with Kimi and Trevor (Slow Flight) on the beach at eight o’clock. The boys soon whisked Baby Beez up to high water mark.

Our steed being prepared.

The crew steadied her as we formed a queue to climb aboard, my entry was particularly inelegant.

Once we were settled the chap at the front began to pole us out. Due to it being low tide the rudder clonked, soon removed. I loved the twig flag pole.... Once clear of the rocks, rudder in place, we were off heading across the bay.

We were delighted, as seen on Bear and Kimi’s faces.

Sail adjustment. All very neat, the sail was altered from a yachties old spinnaker and sewn by Paul’s wife.

Paul checked the tension, all good at the masthead and a very happy helmsman.

Me and Trevor.

We loved the steady progress in this sturdy, seven-metre girl. Baling was regular, Paul explained that there was water ingress due to only having had the time to put one coat of paint on, all would be sealed once he applied the second. He built her in two months but with help it would have taken just one. All the wood sourced from the hill we would bimble over soon. Passing Beez Neez was a treat under sail.

A handsome girl on a sunny morning.

Time to tack – main loosened, pole lifted.........

........swung and tethered to the outrigger.

Rope flicked expertly over the outrigger pole and the beast is under control.

A bit more baling, settled into a lovely sail and all too soon (at ten o’clock) the boys were rolling away the sail.

The last bit we were pulled along as a heron strutted his stuff. My worst nightmare was seeing the mud we would have to waddle through.

The paddling part was fine, then came the muddy bit. Paul told me to go as fast as I could but one false hesitation saw him having to rescue my flip flops as I went down three inches in the gloop. Oh, bravery needed but, thank heavens, it was over in a few minutes. Feet now very muddy.

Paul insisted on going back to fetch the baling bucket full of water, two journeys and our paws were ready.

Mosquito spray on, Kimi good to go with a huge smile.

After our bimble it was thankfully high tide and the boys had brought the boat into the mangroves.

We waited for a bit of wiggling whilst the boys got the boat a little closer in and we clambered aboard after a short wade. Amazing how they manoeuvred us out through the greenery.

To say we had a cracking return sail is an understatement, at times we were flying along. Such a treat. Kimi managed a selfie of this happy group.

Back on the beach, dinghies chatting, at Paul’s lunch shelter. His house is built up the hill a bit after it was taken out on a cyclone wave a few years ago.

Paul’s wife welcomed us and settled us on the benches either side of a very sturdy table.

Delicious chicken stew, green mango salad and lashings of coconut boiled rice with bottled river water as we watched the boys tow the pirogue to her mooring. Our whole trip – six pounds each, the best value since we got to Madagascar.