A hectic but satisfying day. We set out this morning to have the boat
cleaned and ready to move before 0900 and then to go to the fuelling berth
to top off with diesel and water before heading back to Fort de France to
collect our repaired sail and then be back at our now favourite restaurant
in time for lunch. We have become a real team in getting the boat underway,
with John on the anchor and Anita on the helm. We were clear of the
anchorage at 0900 but when we got to the fuelling berth there was an
American boat there making a meal of the process. So we had to hover in a
very restricted area whilst they completed and eventually moved out. Even at
45,000lbs Osprey is a great boat to manoeuvre with her large feathering
propeller which has lots of transverse thrust, so even in the confined area
around the fuelling berth and with rocks on either side we were able to hold
our position and just sit and wait. We were also able to berth neatly with
Anita handling the ropes and the "wizened" Frenchman in charge of the berth
was amazingly complimentary about our boat handling - no small compliment I
suspect coming from him. Mind you the Americans were not exactly a hard act
to follow! One of the interesting things we have noticed here is that a lot
of the American boats are not flying their National Flag any longer. In
discussing this we have come to the conclusion this is out of self
protection as they do not generally receive much of a welcome at present.
Fuelling itself was interesting as the berth ran out of diesel in one tank
as were taking it on board. As a result they had an air lock in the system
and not only did it take forever to take on 100 Gallons but it kept blowing
back so that by the end of it John was pretty well covered in diesel. Anyway
we finally got away at about 1030 and motored at maxim speed for Fort de
France to anchor again under the walls of the fort. John then took of in the
dinghy to get the sail. We had this back on board or 1215 and were underway
immediately heading for the restaurant (and of course the adjacent
anchorage). We were happily having our aperitifs at 1320 and were ready for
our siesta at 1515 in good French Style. At 1700 we had the task of re
mounting the mainsail and unfortunately were not lucky enough to have no
wind - so it was a bit of an exercise and Anita developed some new muscles
working the halyard winch. Took longer than we had hoped with the wind and
we finished with all the foredeck and spreader lights on. Dinghy was also
hoisted ready for an early start in the morning and subject to an inspection
of our work in daylight we are ready for the trip back north and are
practising our English in anticipation.
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