After Jeff and Hillary left, the house felt quite empty, after all they only arrived a couple of days after we arrived, so this was really the first time we could relax on our own before Jane arrives. We did a quick
No soberano though
shop though to get a bottle of “Brandy” in preparation for jane’s arrival as we know she enjoys a tipple in the evening.
Wednesday we had arranged to view a couple of boats in Jolly Harbour so we were up at an un-reasonable time. We also missed Jeff at Breakfast today as he had mastered our “quirky” toaster and supplied the table with toast each morning, so we went without!!!
We arrived at Jolly Harbour at the appointed time, met the yacht broker and was taken to view the main boat we’d arranged to view.
Lovely boat!
This was a Beneteau Oceania 430 kitted out as a live-aboard and strangely it is owned by a Spanish couple, though it sails under a Venezuelan Flag which can be changed should we go past the looking stage. Though this boat was 30 years old, it was immaculate both inside and out, and had been constantly upgraded over the years. I have to say we were very impressed but we have found it a little earlier than we anticipated and are not really ready to go sailing this season: Oh well watch this space.
The other boat we wanted to view was in St Maarten, so that was out of the question; this time anyway.
Next we headed back to Radcliffe Quay in the port area of St Johns. This historical area is also where the swanky, expensive shops are just outside the cruise ship terminal, strategically placed to catch the
Radcliffe Quay
“cruisers” as they come ashore and as they are boarding. We had arranged to pay the deposit for 2-buggies for a 3-hour off-roading trip around the island when Lee and Sarah visit us early March. It was very fortunate we didn’t wait to book as this activity is very popular, early March was the earliest they could accommodate us.
Will need the Ibuprofen for this trip
Apparently the Cruise ships do block bookings and this time of the year there are many days when there are 3 in at once.
After a quick lunch back at the ranch we headed to Fort James beach for our daily exercise. Today the beach wasn’t too crowded as we were later than usual and there was only 1 cruise ship in town.
A leisurely morning enjoying our independence and a second attempt by Christine to get our new USA “ESTA’s”, this time everything went to plan, we paid our money and we got confirmation our application had been received, approval should come within a few days. We then
Lovely beach
prepped lunch and we were off, this time back to Pigeon Beach for the umpteenth time however, there was purpose to this repeat visit, we needed to go into Falmouth Harbour, firstly to confirm the rugby was on the TV at Cloggy’s bar and kickoff times and secondly, Christine’s flip flops had come to the end of their lives. A new pair was needed and of course they couldn’t be a cheap pair from the local supermarket, oh
Good ones last longer
no, it had to be a “named brand” pair, still look on the bright side, built into the underside of each is a bottle opener; we won’t get caught out again on the beach!!!
Back home and after dinner the cards came out again. There is a TV in the cottage but like most things here it’s needs an up-grade, poor picture and muffled sound. We brought out the kit to be able to watch the numerous films I’d downloaded but with such distorted sound it is purgatory to listen to, hence many games of cards.
Week end planned
Today we set about housekeeping in preparation for the “Royal” visit, Jane arrives this afternoon.
A couple of days ago we had a frog/toad pay us a visit, and this thing must like it here as we see it regularly, it is never far away and today is no exception as Christine found him sitting comfortably inside my swimmers that were hanging on the line. But was that all, no, when Christine brought the mop bucket in, guess who jumped out and scarpered into the Kitchen, yes it was “Freddie” the frog. I was quietly minding my own on the verandah when I heard this un-holy scream with the words “Geoff, get inhere quick”. There was Freddie stuck halfway up the. Wall. After a few moments of jumping around a bit I caught and despatched him back to the garden; when will he visit us again I wonder!
Jane’s flight arrived early so we hot-footed over to the airport to meet her and to our astonishment she was in the first tranche of passengers to exit immigration and customs. I suspect it was the desire for a fag, after all 8hrs is a long time to wait for one. We count our blessings that we gave up smoking donkey years ago, none of this anxiety!
Arriving back at base the we broke out the “Rum Punches” and settled in for the evening; Jane is with us!!!!!