Frigate Island and a Walk

We moved Django from Clifton Harbour a mile or two along the coast to a bay behind Frigate Island on Ashton Bay. It's really a presqu'ile, being connected to Union by a long isthmus.

Django anchored off Frigate Island

We went ashore after lunch, planning to walk from Ashton to the far side of Union Island. The Eager Crew had brought fabulous weather with them. Gone were the horrid squalls, pelting rain, howling winds. We revelled in unremitting sunshine, sea breezes, and the joys of the Caribbean.

Brown booby flanked by brown pelicans in Ashton Harbour

The walk was lovely and easygoing, up into the hills. We observed birds, flowers, houses, trees, fruits, goats...whatever was nearby to be observed. Finally we arrived at a shaded crossroad at the crest of the hill. Below us lay the northern shore of the island. A woman was sitting by the side of the road with a baby. She had walked up from Chatham Bay, way down below. A good uphill struggle with a sizeable boy of 11 months. WW argues he is a toddler since he can walk, sort of.

We chatted with her for a time. We knew there was a way to get back to Ashton without taking the road by which we had come. She told us how to do that. So off we set, wishing her luck.

Walking downhill through the sunny day, not too hot, was delightful. We saw a man at the side of the road smashing big stones with a maul. WW and/or Enn hailed him: "Hard work!"

"Oh," said the fellow, "it keeps you fit. Look at me, I'm 61."

He sure didn't look it. He then explained that he was breaking stones to make the foundation for a house. He starts with big stones and breaks them with a huge maul, then takes a smaller hammer to break the smaller stones. Beneath a shelter were all the stones he had broken in two months; a serious heap.

Just then, the woman (we were to learn she is Sheridan) carrying the baby/toddler (we were to learn he is Devancy) passed by. She said something to "Pops" and kept going.

Pops talking to WW and Enn. In the foreground are the big stones and the big maul.
He is holding the hammer he uses on the smaller stones.
The pile under the shelter is his finished work.

After our chat with Pops, we too moved on. Dana was looking at Sheridan and Devancy ahead of us. She said to Enn, "Couldn't you take him from her?" We were watching the exhausted Sheridan try to find an easy way to carry Devancy. Just then she put him down to let him walk for a bit. Trouble was, he didn't want to go that way. He toddled straight into Enn's arms. He was swept up and, to the amazement of those who knew him and his mother, a slender Santa Claus carried him into Ashton.

In Ashton, we parted. She was headed to Clifton and we were headed to a cold beer. It took a little finding, but soon enough we were sitting on the steps outside a tiny bar, sipping a cold one, watching men repair boats, chickens scratch up treasures, and dogs lie in the shade.

Tired yet refreshed by our walk, we rode Boffo back to Django.

Frigate Island ahead as we leave Ashton


Django tucked up tight under Frigate Island