Overdue Post

Apologies for the long gap in communication. We actually headed back to Montreal on February 17 for a week. I’ll summarize what occurred before and since.

After Boffo’s attempt at freedom, we spent the rest of the day pottering about. WW worked on the propane “canary” (an alarm that goes off if the propane is leaking) and got that fixed. So clever. It required, of course, that he hang head down in a cramped little compartment. I am beginning to suspect him of Odd Obsessions.

The following day, the Cruise Net Squadron was having a race, smallest boats starting first, catamarans last. Having never sailed Django without some power assistance, we didn’t want to race, but we did want to observe. So we made our way to the back of the pack and, as the last boat crossed the start line, we took up position behind her (without, naturally, crossing the starting line ourselves). It was pretty thrilling when we switched off the engines and she danced along behind the fleet. It wasn’t much of a wind and we didn’t have a really good reach, but she fared well enough.

...over the bounding main...

Following the Cruise Net Racing Squadron

It being Saturday, we kept our promise and headed over to Fish Fry for the Junkanoo. Apparently Junkanoo has been traditional on Christmas and New Year’s. It’s expansion to other dates is, I assume, a response to tourist interest. The first we attended was also the first for George Town outside the standard dates. This time, the turnout was far less impressive, though the spectacle was still quite wonderful.

Junkanoo cowbells, drums and dancing.

The float in all its glory.

The float with, second from left, Rastafarian Priest Marvin, one of the builders.
Sadly, the other builder, Oliver Mafy, was not around.

After watching for a bit, we met WW’s pal of the week before, Pat, at one of the little bar/snack stands. We ate some conch, chatted, and then I was allowed to go into the kitchen where I met the delightful Kayla, Bahamian cook supreme, who told me all about how she cooked and what. I had a great time.

In the kitchen with Kayla

Out at the bar, WW was meeting one Elizabeth “Lovey” Darcy who knew his cousin Freddie and used to cut his (Freddie's) hair.

WW, Pat and Lovey

The next day, we headed back to Montreal, having arranged to share a taxi to the George Town airport with another cruiser. Our rendezvous was at 5:45 a.m. There was a slight drama with the alarm and WW’s watch (which was hours off), but we made it. Thunderstorms over Atlanta forced us to circle for ages…until, in fact, we hadn’t enough fuel to carry on. So we (and half the Delta fleet) went to Augusta for refuelling. We arrived at 162 Main Road, Hudson, at midnight…sans bag. Lost en route. Returned two days later, hot sauces and rum cake intact.