Passion for Cruising

My mind is now a bit hazy. I am actually writing this day, the 10th February. The last 2 days have been hellish for us all. The internals of the boat on the starboard hull meanwhile were removed and dumped by Irene and I, while the work went on. All dry goods stored in the galley were ruined. So much for so called air tight containers! Not one was dry!! Clothes were floating in the guest forward cabins. We dragged sodden stuff out all day. By dark, 5 pm, we were zombies.

I have not yet mentioned A-Laddin who initially ran along the beach signalling us to come ashore on the only sandy space. He took lines, went neck deep in water to bring stuff to us and generally tried to help. No English made it hard. He referred to himself as "Jetty Coolie". See photo which he insisted upon, even though he was dripping more salt water.
Richard, the skipper and 2 friends, helped saw the rudder through just under the hull. It took them 4 hours of low enough tide to free it. Stuart was on his back in neck high water with saw and grinder, and alternating with the others, the top of the stainless steel reinforced rudder was removed in 3 slices. The local audience craned closer and closer, as you can imagine. However the local entrepreneur came forward with knowledge of an old chap who could make temporary fiberglass repairs!!