Gazza the Rasta

Tashi Delek
Mike & Carol Kefford
Sun 13 Jan 2013 16:29

Tashi Delek was a looking a little careworn and in need of a really good clean all around the outside.  Something that is tricky when you have just had a hernia repair done and completely impossible if you are not actually on the boat because you are in UK as Carol was going to be for two weeks.

 

There were a number of locals who had been accredited by the marina to work on the boats and through the recommendations of others Gazza came into our lives. 

 

He looked tremendous.  Stick thin and wiry, a fabulous pile of dreadlocks under a huge knitted hat and a big, big smile.  Negotiations were carried out and the deal was done.  He would start on Monday by the grace of Haile Selaisse.  The next morning we woke to find this bag of Mangoes and note had been left in the cockpit.  The note says ‘Hello my People, this token is from Gazza.  Try these.  They are sweet.  We are not in the full season as yet but I think you all should test St Lucia sweet mangoes.’  They were absolutely delicious.

 

 

 

Gazza and workmate Curwen duly arrived and set to work.  And they worked like Trojans as cleaners and polishers flew round the deck and hull restoring shine were it had been sadly lacking and removing rust were it had been sadly present.  Once or twice they stopped and filled up on iced tea …….

 

 

 

Gazza was a very devout Rastafarian and so before he came to do the work we did a bit of research on-line to remind ourselves what that was all about.  Well worth Googling.  Some very interesting bits connecting Ethiopia to the bible and the Ark of the Covenant.

 

Gazza had arrived with a much thumbed copy of the collected speeches of Haile Selaisse along with his own notes and cross references to the bible.  He handed this over at the beginning of the day for us to read.  This was going to be a bit of a mission and not quite what we had on the list of jobs to do that day so we looked for a couple of highlights to read that we could sensible mention later on.  To our delight there was a speech made to Army Officers on finishing their training and one to newly qualified nurses so we went with those.  All good stuff and reminders of why Haile Selaisse had been so well respected by the western world. 

 

Gazza was very concerned that Mike had had an operation so took it upon himself over the next couple of weeks while Carol was away to check up on him and continue his Rastafarian education.  This involved several detailed discussions on the significance of Haile Selaisse with reference to Gazza’s well used bible from which Mike was often invited to read aloud.  (Those of you who know Mike should just pause here a second and picture that scene.) Mike found all this interesting but nevertheless has not been swayed by any of the arguments and so Gazza failed to bag a convert.  Mikes hair continues to grow of course but there are no signs of dreadlocks.  Gazza also very kindly brought occasional deliveries of fruit, veg and coconut water that would all be good for healing and the stomach.  He flatly refused any payment or contributions. 

 

He did however pull off a pretty good Tee shirt scam which goes as follows.  Arrive to do the job in a very old T-shirt that is full of holes.  Finish said job bare chested.  Tell boat owner that they hadn’t had enough rags to finish the job properly and you had had to use your T-shirt.   (Obviously say this with vaguely martyred _expression_ on your face for maximum effect).  When boat owner spots what is happening and says ‘Gosh, that wasn’t necessary, you only needed to ask and I would have got more rags’, your reply is that you never like to disturb the owners.  (Obviously say this bit with angelic, caring look on your face).  Then ask boat owner if by any chance they have an old T-shirt that you could wear.  Said T-shirt is bound to be in better condition than the one you arrived in and lo- you are one up in the T-shirt game.

 

Nicely done we thought and, no harm done.

 

We were pleased with the work so a tip was in order but we didn’t have enough local currency to cover that bit so we asked him if he would like us to go to the ATM and get local money or perhaps he would like US dollars or UK Pounds.  Big smile, “Will that be UK pounds with a picture of The Queen on?”  It would be, so he went for that option.

 

Overall we had had a thoroughly delightful experience knowing Gazza in addition to a much more sparkly boat so Carol set about trying to find a T-shirt with a picture of The Queen on while she was in UK.  Sadly not to be found in the time available but he was very pleased with the fetching stripy number she bought him instead.