Rodney Bay break - and no such thing as a free lunch (in this case glasses repair)

True Colours
James Scrimshaw
Wed 19 Mar 2014 01:09

We have now spent 5 days in Rodney Bay – planning to leave tomorrow.

Mainly we have been catching up on jobs.  We have taken out every single screw in the toe rail (except one, which was too stubborn), and re-fastened them using tuff-gel.  Then cleaned the teak on decks and cockpit – both look so much better, and the cockpit teak looks so good it could be artificial!  We even had the owners of the Oyster berthed next to us commenting on how good it was – they thought the boat must have been redecked!  Spinnakers, which had sat on the decks for the last 5 months were rinsed with fresh water, dried, and packed away below.  Also fitted a battery condition monitor (with encouragement from Sid and Ken from “Limin Time”)  which seems to indicate that there is no real issue with the batteries. 

Also had time to visit the beach followed by happy hour drinks and a meal at Spinnakers.  For the first couple of days our berth was surrounded by East Europeans – including a 35 foot basic yacht which seems to have carried 8 Russians across the Atlantic.  Now we have posh boats around us – the marina is littered with Oysters, there are 2 Discovery 55s, a Gunfleet 58 and then there are a host of fancy US / European boats.

And the free lunch?  Well, one arm off James’ best pair of glasses had broken off (sea water corrosion to the screw) .  We visited an optician in the Mall close to Rodney Bay.  They directed us to a Jeweller who drilled out the old screw.  Back to the optician to fit a new screw.  After 10 minutes trying, they sent us off shopping.  Returning half an hour later, they had not found a screw, so had used a staple to act as a screw.  We asked how much they wanted, and they said “nothing”.  When we protested that they had spent a lot of time, and we should pay something, they said “How about buying us ice creams?”.  So off we went to the ice cream parlour, Rosemary & James plus the manager and assistant from the shop, where we bought six tubs – which included two for other customers in the opticians shop.   So – depending how you look at it – either the cheapest glasses repair, or the most expensive staple ever;  that’s the Caribbean!! 

Next stop Marigot Bay – where we plan to meet up with “Limin Time” and then cross in convoy to Bequia – maybe next Monday when the wind forecast is decent.

One picture – of the beach – which has changed shape in a major way since December.  For those who sat on this beach awaiting the arrival of ARC participants - Mr Saatchi would be horrified that there is now a two foot drop immediately in front of his ‘favourite parasol’.

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