Everyone Has a Story

Saturday, October 29

Today's the day!  We are heading over to the Ocean Yacht Marina this morning to join the World Cruising Club group.  Just before lifting anchor, Off Duty II did a drive by as they were leaving the Marina and came by to wave goodbye.  Dave and Nicki are on the way.  Bittersweet to see them go, but I'm sure they'll have a fabulous trip.  We will definitely keep in touch.  Now, it's our turn.

We left the Tidewater anchorage at 12:30 and arrived at Ocean Yacht Marina about 15 minutes later. By 1:45, we had topped up our fuel tank, pumped out both holding tanks, docked in our new slip (A11), and had given our new neighbours (Patrick and Bob on Exit Strategy) a tour of our boat. Then, it was time to check in with the rally organizers. Isabelle (a Canadian from Montreal), the coordinator, went through all of the paperwork with us and outlined all of the events for the week.  Phew, we are going to be busy!  

After getting somewhat settled, we went to Still Restaurant where we would meet the rest of the rally participants at a Happy Hour event.  On the way there we saw a huge mob of costumed kids and parents lining the street for blocks.  When we asked the police about it, they said it was 'Safe Trick-or-Treating', all in one location for the kids instead of going house to house.  Great idea.

When we got to the restaurant, we each got two drink tickets when we arrived.  Almost immediately, Merrill and Maryse, from Ambition gestured us over to their table.  They are from Montreal and sail a Hylas 46.  Jean is their crew member for the passage, and he is extremely knowledgeable about sailing.  All three are very friendly and we chatted all evening.  

Sunday, October 30

Today is our safety inspection day!  We woke up at 5:00 (yes, that's AM) and started talking about what we needed to get done before our inspector arrived.  By 6:00, we decided to get up and get started.  We weren't going to get any more sleep anyway.  After breakfast, Carey ran the jacklines down both sides of the boat.  These are so that we'll have something to clip onto if we have to go out on deck for anything in high seas.  I laid out our life jackets, ditch bag, medical kits (yes, I have multiple kits) and flares for inspection.  Peter, our safety inspector, arrived at 9:15.  He looked over the rigging first, asking us lots of questions.  Then, he sat in the cockpit and we reviewed the liferaft and the man over board equipment (Danbuoy, Lifesling, throw bag, etc.).  Finally, we went below to inspect the ditch bag, medical kit, documents, insurance, etc., and to check that all heavy items are stowed and tied down properly.  

The inspection went very well. Peter gave us a few things to consider and a few things that we need to do to pass the inspection. All minor stuff except our insurance. When I had arranged our insurance in the spring, I had sent all of our itinerary information out and asked them for a quote.  We found a good plan and we signed up for it.  When the insurance documents arrived, I didn't have time to go over it in detail, but I felt good that we were covered. Bad mistake--I should have checked every word and expected ineptness in the broker. Aaaarrrrgggghhhhh!  Now, we're under the gun to get proper coverage.  Another Plan had given us a good quote at the time, but now they don't like to insure boats that go offshore with only two people.  Double-aaarrrrggghhhh!  The search is on.  I have until Saturday to find some insurance coverage. No pressure; no stress. 

When we arrived here, they gave us an ARC Caribbean 1500 rally flag to put on our boat. See anything odd about our neighbour's flag?  

Haha.  When I mentioned it to the boat's owner, he said he was very tired when he put it up and hadn't even noticed that it was upside down.  He changed it immediately.   

Later, Maryse, from Ambition, came over to invite me along on a shopping trip on Monday. So awesome!  Once again, we are finding people are so friendly and generous.  There is a shuttle planned for later in the week, but I would love to get some of the bigger items (canned goods, water, etc.) out of the way earlier if possible. 

The social event today was held right at the marina under the tent.  Everyone came over for wine, beer, and sailing talk.  We met Edmund who is from Sweden, Skip whose ARC flag was upside down, and also chatted with Jean, Kathleen, Matthew, Yolene, and another Jean.  LOTS of people here from Montreal and a very bilingual group.  

Monday, October 31

Happy Hallowe'en!  And congratulations to Carlie and Jason on their new baby boy, Carson Patrick!  Grammy Burns is over the moon. 

It has been blowing like crazy all night and this morning.  

The wind doesn't stop sailors from any of the planned events, though.  This morning, Andy Schell, one of the coordinators who routinely crosses oceans, did a talk about setting up our boat for ocean sailing. About 20 of us stood on the windy, wobbly, floating dock while he talked about messenger lines and preventers, and he also demonstrated how he would deploy the whisker pole on his boat. It was quite interesting, but a little chilly.  

Later, I met up with Maryse and Jean to go to Walmart for provisions.  I bought a bunch of canned goods for the trip that will last us a few months, because food is quite expensive in the Caribbean. Almost everything has to be imported there....except for rum, of course.  I didn't bother buying any rum here.  

By the time I got back, there was just enough time for a quick shower before our Halloween Costume Party at Griff's Restaurant downtown.  Carey and I went as sailors. Haha.  Nope, we're not big on costumes. Others, though, got right into the spirit of the event.  

While we were there, we met Cameron and Rob and had a really interesting conversation with them.  Cameron, who is Scottish,  turned out to be the owner of Nanny Cay Marina in Tortola, BVIs!  This is the marina that will be our first destination in the Caribbean. Rob, who is from Owen Sound, is his crew member for the trip.  Cameron and Rob are taking Cameron's 56 foot power yacht, Jura, on this passage to the BVIs. Beautiful big boat.  

After that, we met Ned on Yankee Lady.  Ned will be sailing the Caribbean with his wife, Kelly, and their four daughters.  It is such a small world. This is the family that we had videotaped in Oxford, Maryland when we were at an anchorage.  His daughters were swinging around the boat on a halyard like a trapeze.  

Another new face was Peter (who will be sailing with his wife, Kristen) on a Swan 40 called Upper Wing. 

Everyone has a story...and they're all interesting.