Friday 24 January 2020

Despite fatalistic sentiment expressed yesterday, life has again become worth living as top-up of data was accomplished. It was indeed 10 USD for five point five gigabytes. After calling parent company, Telem, to obtain unpublished method of checking data balance, discovered it does, however, seem to fly away at an unconscionably rapid rate. Perhaps airplane mode when not using will help.

Astute readers may have noticed spelling of St. Barth changed. This is not due elevation to mystical status of longtime mates, Pat & Sue of that name from Atlanta, but that the St. Barthians (Barthites, Barthers, Bartherinos... the French) spell it that way and, although no violence is anticipated, discretion toward local custom seems appropriately politic.

Having observed, for the previous few days, erroneous forecasting that averred sunny skies would prevail into the foreseeable future, respect for weather prognosticators, not situated on a high plateau to begin with, has tottered even lower. GRIB (G!@# R$%^ I&*> B+?~) data, a model algorithm that is unsullied by human intervention, seems to indicate unsettled conditions that does not agree with meteorologists from Weather.com, Weather Underground or Accuweather. So far it's been the better, meaning worse, but we live in hope.

Brit/S. African/Aussie cruising amigos just arrived from St. Barth, so we'll get together for drinks this evening. Seems, since their boat requires work including painting and we've shared cost estimates from various places, they may be inspired to sail back to Trinidad, a felicitous circumstance for us as they are delightful company. As should have been anticipated sooner, prices are dramatically better there than almost anywhere and apparently nearly as good as Malaysia. This partly due a few incidents with yachts en route by Venezuela and some trepidation for necessity to approach within 10 nm of that benighted country and its desperate, tyrannized citizens.

Had breakfast at yet another cafe because we must visit each one - all of them. Called Zee Best, which one might speculate means the Dutch can't spell "the", food and service were excellent. Because, as is our wont to linger (at least the breakyophiles (not a real word) in the crew), we overstayed our welcome past closing and in order to encourage departure, were gifted with four pan au chocolat. This suggests a modus that we may use profitably in future. To wit: if one can become a nuisance, yet remain adorable (it's a delicate balance), people may give you good stuff to go away rather than pelt you with stale baguettes.

Jack & Jan