Date:
6 April
2010
Position: Marina Bracuhy
Ever since we’ve been here in Marina Bracuhy, the DS and
I have been bitten to death by unknown insects, and it’s poured with rain (re
the insects, the only conclusion I can draw is that we have an infestation
of bed bugs as a result of the appallingly unhygienic conditions in which the
Downstairs area has been kept). The rain is forecast to continue for days; and
it’s non-stop and torrential.
The DS said “I’ve had enough of this bloody boat, I’m
leaving you. I’m going home to Mummy in Buenos
Aires – and Snoopy is coming with me.”
Snoopy, faithful friend and companion for 35 years, came
on board with Pete in Cape
Verde, initially as Ship’s Mascot. But he threw
himself into the day-to-day activities of a transatlantic passage; trimming
sails, helming, keeping watch, helping in the galley and mixing the most
delicious Mango bombs with a triple gin float for
Venetia. The exertion nearly killed him (see blog and
photo of 8 December), but he turned out to be such a valuable member of the crew
that he was soon promoted from Ship’s Mascot to Ordinary Seadog.
Only last week he volunteered to stay on the boat whilst
we were away and guard it in our absence.
I was touched by his devotion to duty. This is a position of some
responsibility and he is, after all, nearly 250 in dog years. I immediately
accepted his offer and promoted him from Ordinary Seadog to Able Seadog. The
little fella was almost bursting with pride.
So when the DS started trying to stuff Snoopy into her
suitcase, there was a bit of a scuffle. “No”, said Snoopy “My place is here,
guarding Mina2 for My Great Leader. For the first time in my life I feel valued;
I have a Position Of Responsibility. I will not let The Skipper down. I will NOT
go with you”. The DS defiantly stuffed Snoopy further into her suitcase, zipped
it up and left the boat.
I will miss them
both.
