April 17, 2012 Georgetown

Tuesday April 17, 2012

Happy Birthday Rod!  Love and miss ya!  Hope you liked our acapella version of “Happy Birthday”!

Things put on the side burner were done yesterday.  Fred did some repairs, we finally sorted out the storage lockers, got the refer emptied and cleaned out and were moving right along when a couple from another boat stopped by and asked us if we would like a ride to volleyball beach.  Within a few minutes, we were on their dink heading for freedom.  Even if it were a ride there and back, that would have been a treat, without even getting off but we were looking forward to a nice walk.  I noticed the palms used to make baskets and got right on it scoping and cutting the ones ripe for the picking.  Actually, it took  knife to separate them from the mother tree but after a handful I tied them up with palm leaves and carried them back with me.  Activity was everywhere.  Teams were alternating for the volleyball court which is a popular sport here.  It brought back memories of my childhood when I used to play volleyball and loved it.  I enjoyed tether ball a lot also.  I don't see that game anymore.  Others were watching, comfortably sitting on their colorful blankets under the shade trees chatting away, playing with their babies or chilling out just reading a book or merely enjoying the moment.  Fred was sitting at a picnic table engaged in a conversation about different routes to take returning to the US.  I was getting restless so walked over to Chat n Chill to see if they had a book exchange.  They did but nothing looked interesting out of the 4 books left on the shelve covered with boat cards from the floor to the ceiling. That was a good read in itself.  I actually recognized a few boat cards stapled to the wall.  It didn’t take but a minute to start chatting with a couple from Houston, Texas and within 5 minutes, 6 of us were sharing stories.  They seemed pretty interested in our outboard loss.  I declined their sympathy with a smile and told them it was part of the adventure.  Life would be pretty boring if I thought I could control it better than God, which I know I can’t so I just put it in God’s hands, expect the unexpected and accept it.  I finally made my way back to Fred and by then people were asking me about the palm leaves I had in a bundle on the table.  I would have been happy to show them how to make a basket but I had one problem, I was never taught how to start one, just weave one.  I was overheard and a lady sat next to me and said, “I’ll show you”.  In no time she made me two samples, an oval start as well as a round start.  By then she had an audience and the lady from Chat n Chill came up to me and offered us a ride back to our boat, knowing we would need one unless we swam back.  We felt we should take it and people were asking me when we would be back.  “Wednesday” I said, “we will have our outboard for the dink by then”.  It would be fun to get people together and weave and chat.  Boating people are fun and really interesting.  We got back to Casa Mare’ and had a really nice dinner.  It’s amazing what one will find when cleaning out the refer/freezer.  We had steaks, “need to be cooked” mushrooms, and sauteed frozen onion, backed potato and marinated yellow and red tomatoes in Raspberry vinaigrette.  I read a bit and Fred wanted to watch a movie “Hornblower”  based on a book I had never heard of.  I don’t watch much TV but this was on A&E at some time and Fred brought it along.  Comes in volumes, six I believe.  I loved it!  I asked him if he wanted to watch the next DVD and we did.  I convinced him we had no plans tomorrow and talked him into one more.  By 1:30 am we had watched half the series.  I am hooked and would probably watch it over again.  There is a lot to learn in that movie about integrity, serving, honesty, loyalty, trust and dedication, putting one self after others best interest.  If you haven’t seen it, I strongly urge a weekend of “Hornblower” DVD’s.  I am probably the only one out there who has never heard of it, but then again, I still have a lot to learn.  Enough about “Hornblower”.

I had a thought yesterday.  Actually the palms led me to that thought.  I remembered the wonderful conversation I had with the second grade teacher who weaved, a few days ago about the children on this island.  I asked Fred if he knew where the elementary school was in Georgetown.  He reminded me it was near the library, which I realized I knew exactly where it was.  Since we are going to be here for a few more weeks, I would like to give back to the community and perhaps spend a few days with her class helping her out if she would like me to.  I plan to go to the school office and ask how to reach her and what I could do.  I think it would be fun.  I can’t do anything until we can get to shore but somehow I feel like I should do this or at least inquire about it.  There is one more week of school left until they are off for spring break then the Family Regatta starts.  We are planning to be here for the beginning to see the sail boat races, for a few days anyway, then head on North.  No definite plans, when the wind fills our sails, we move.  Not even sure of where yet except I can say, closer to home.

The sun is out, the winds are still blowing rather brisk and it would be a good day to clean the decks with soft scrub.  Lord knows it needs it since Luperon.  I have a back ache and need to work it out.  I think that would do it!  We are also moving to Kid Cove today, closer to town.  Time to get busy!