Valentine’s Day II

After a cooling shower and shortly after rum punch o’clock (duly marked), we drew Boffo up to the swimming ladder, boarded her and headed in to Volleyball Beach to join one of the Valentine’s Day parties. This one was, in fact, the wedding anniversary of one of the cruising couples. They were handing out shiny bead necklaces to all who showed up wearing red. Having dressed as port, I qualified, but WW had dressed as starboard, so didn’t make the cut.

The party was at the Chat ‘n’ Chill whence beer, rum, and food were flowing in a steady stream. Rockin’ Ron or Rob or something (the anniversary man) had hooked up his boombox and was playing wonderful hits from the 50s and 60s. Inside, the bar was surrounded by cruisers, two and three deep, yelling food and drink orders. Behind the bar was the formidable Arlene and her able but newer assistant (still smiling) Tina. Arlene has been ruling Chat ‘n’ Chill for many years. I was told that one woman who had the temerity to approach the plywood bar and ask for the wine list was not spoken to again for a month.

When food orders are given, you give your name or your boat’s if it is easier. We settled on Django. The food arrives and the name is yelled. You snooze, you lose. Cruisers watch, ears pricked, as dishes emerge from the kitchen. The menu is simple: ribs, chicken, hamburger. They had run out of ribs and hamburger by the time we placed our order. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize there was conch on the beach or we would have headed there.

I was sitting next to Bill and Jane from Galena, a Westsail 32 Bill had soloed down from Virginia. Jane had joined him here for a week. The boat has no refrigeration and no hot water. I felt less like I was camping out. I don’t know how I’d manage without refrigeration since leftovers are an important part of our diet.

WW was sitting next to Mary who moved here 20 years ago and is an established part of the community. With her were Elvis, Adriana, and Ted, all local. Elvis is harbour master and teased us that we had not contacted him on arrival. Everything was very jolly. We met lots of nice people and had a great time.

At last we toddled off, back to Boffo, on whom we returned to Django where we tied our tender astern, bobbing with the kayaks. We clambered aboard and off to sleep.