We were still nestled all snug in our bed,
While visions of wind vanes danced in our heads.
When out on the dock there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from our bunk to see what was the matter.

There was Helmut, a jolly Austrian gentleman we had met the previous evening. He and his good friend Gabriel, their partners and a third couple had returned from a two week bareboat charter out of Cienfuegos' Jaguar Marina, where we are presently tied up.
We had shared some wine with them on Mandy over some great conversation. Helmut gave Richard a spear fishing gun so that we could take advantage of all the edible fish in the Cays when we leave here, in exchange for a promise to E-mail him a photo of his first speared fish.

The following morning Helmut and his friends wanted to leave us their surplus food supplies from their sailing holiday. Being 'skint' but wise cruisers we gratefully accepted their generosity. Three shopping bags contained bread mix, rice, salt, pate, butter, Austrian cheese, marmalade, jam, mayonnaise, anise liqueur, rum and last but not least loo roll. What a haul!

Our marina stay involves various chores not possible out at anchor and it was time to get on with our days work. Half an hour later we received another unexpected visit from more of Santa's elves. These ones were in the disguise of some young German doctors. They too were fresh in from their charter holiday. Think "Grey's Anatomy" from Munich go on a sailing vacation. Fresh antibiotics spilled in plenty from their pockets. They also gave us water, beer and lots of white wine to wash them down with. Maurice, a handsome and extremely jovial spokesman for the band of doctors was especially interested in our trip as it is his dream to go cruising one day. Go for it Maurice.

Our small cabin was awash in goodies which we spent the rest of the morning stowing away. Richard says that historically full time cruisers steer clear of charter customers whose inexperience can lead to small disasters in the anchorage. But we were once upon a time bare boat charterers in the Sea of Cortez. We may have been green, but we tried hard nevertheless. Meeting Helmut, Gabriel and Maurice was a completely charming experience we would not have missed - even if they had not filled our stockings to the brim.