Sally and I went along to the friendly pharmacist again who called the doctor. I was instructed to walk the 20 yards to his surgery, where I was seen straight away. What a service! No waiting on the phone for ages, queue at the surgery, delays with appointments running late, sorry no appointments available, come back in 3 weeks. 

A delightful Dr Roberto gave me a thorough check, advised antibiotics and vitamins to boost me up. The cost, EC$100 (about £30). That's fine, no problem, here's my credit card. Oops, no... cash only. Sally had to walk down to the bank whilst I sat and waited. 

Next stop, back to the pharmacy to have the prescription dispensed. Handwritten instructions on the box with no name, date etc and the vitamins counted into a small plastic bag with a sticker! Not quite the same as my dispensing exam many years ago but a very helpful pharmacist nonetheless. 

Before we returned to the boat, we bought a white fish, not sure what it is but it will be tasty; found vegetables, eggs and even a lettuce in the market. We found a bakery selling various baguettes so bought three: carrot, turmeric and plantain flavours. Delicious.

We discovered the laundry was open so Sally and Simon returned with a large bag. The cost, EC$100, the same as my doctor appointment. However, it was lovely to have fresh sheets, clothes and towels, worth every penny.

Late afternoon we went across to the Purple Turtle for a drink and to use the WiFi.  For some strange reason, even though Simon and Nigel have the same phone and data SIM package, Nigel's is not working, Simon’s is. That's the Caribbean for you.

Today, Good Friday, we have been catching up with a few jobs. A good clean inside the boat, scrubbing the outside down to the keel, and fixing various bits on the upper deck. 

Elvis, one of the PAYS boatmen came round selling his wife's delicious roti so that's lunch sorted. We have prepared the fish and vegetables ready to make a curry this evening. 

Dominica is a beautiful island with very friendly helpful people. We have been here a week now and enjoying having time to relax and explore after the problems we had. I'm not sure where we will go next, we will see where the wind and mood takes us.

Happy Easter to everyone - no hot cross buns or Easter eggs here! :(

Catherine

p.s. from Sally: steaming and gargling should have started sooner!!! 

Happy vitamin pills for Catherine and Nigel staving off the ‘inevitable’….