Yes Yes,too long....Start at Fiji

After Tonga,people just kept getting nicer.
We sailed into Savu Savu ,on the island of Vanua Levu of Fiji,early one hot morning after a few days sail. Joey spotted Beyond sailing towards us,away and out of the harbor . We got on the radio and bemoaned our ships passing..in the day,then relay of intelligence ;we jotted down the need to knows, check in procedures,taxi drivers names, where to find the best curry,where to best view the world cup rugby.....
In Fiji the culture was so vivid and refreshing,with 50/50 Indian/ island natives . I was taken back to my India trip,with the titillating music,the colorful garb,the shelves in shops that include incense and curry and henna and lots of fireworks!! Diwali ,the Hindu holiday was approaching and there was much energy building.
We were ready to love Fiji and we did.The special characteristics of a place centre around the people and the nature. We travel in a loosely tethered community of sailors , within this migrating cluster that undulates in movements like a school of fish,we also greet old and meet new amazing people in every new port. That's a long sentence to say that together,this unfettered group unites as we step off our boats,into our dinghies and onto new land with new people with new cultures to meet. One night when we were staying at a bed and breakfast type place,these two groups really came together for me in a fun and memorable way.
David met Rod in an upholster store.Rod is an Aussie who has built a place on the island of Savu Savu,with his wife. They do a lot of missionary work in the community ,helping build church fences and such. This appealed to David who really enjoyed doing some volunteer carpentry when we were in Suwarrow( Suvarov) in August. He wanted to help and asked us if we would like to move off Rhythm for a few days. we needed regular internet and Rod who is a day trader offered that for us. It was perfect timing as the rain was regular and Joey had an infection on his feet that could only heal in a dry place. Olivia was committed to getting back to her math course, I was also still convalescing from bursitis that had been infected in Tonga. We moved in. Soon Olivia developed a high temperature with flu symptoms. Little math but lots of rest.
We relaxed,well,I actually found it very hard to relax,I still felt," the entrapment "*, however,I walked the beach at low tide, as often as possible which was on the other side of the island from where all the yachts and Rhythm were moored. Early mornings I sometimes walked to town .I found just the act of walking ,listening,seeing,smelling,talking...placed me in the world,a world of open hearted interested people who look you in the eye and I feel like they are really seeing me,or at least looking for me there. Is it just my projections? Is it different out here in " the world" because I am open, I am looking in their eyes longing to see them? I'll keep that investigation open,more on that when I catch up and get to Auckland in my blog ....
Rod had a couple of neighboring woman who would come and help him with laundry,cleaning and some cooking while his wife was now back in Australia .These woman were the essence of what would be a very excellent evening Bale,a dancer,came with her son almost daily to the house and revealed herself to be a dancer. I suggested a nights performance with the sailors. At the end of our stay,she and two other woman and two young girls came to perform .We invited our friends,we asked if we could pass the hat and that all contributions would go towards the local kindergarden. It was such a magical evening,they brought woman:mothers,grandmothers, the men were jamming with their own instruments down at the beach. The little girls were incredible,very talented,all dressed up in the traditional garb,flowers woven into coconut leaves on hips and headship and head . The woman invited the Buratynsky girls from Gromit to do the performance that they learned in Huahine. They whoop and cheer and encourage,such a lot of girl power energy.
Somewhere in there we took a bus trip across the island with Gromit to Labasa ,all day ,past pine forests and cane fields in a bus where we were the only white people. The family stayed overnight and we took our seats back on the bus for the long ride home.Many school kids hopped on as they have no individual school buses.How cool to see them in all the uniforms ,some of the older boys looking like the rugby players we had seen on the big flat screens during the word cup.
Back to Rhythm the next day to find a lot of mold! I suppose I should feel good that all my near coo coo daily ritualistic wiping down of all surfaces in cockpit wasn't for nothing.

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Enroute to NZ!

It's so strange,when you are conscious of an anticipated journey of all sorts,and - voila- its here,your living it now...we are actually ,right now,motoring out of a reefy pass ,we've checked out of the beautiful darling Fiji,heading out for the final passage to NewZealand. Final passage that is,of our first leg in this intension to circumnavigate. 1100 miles to go ...we have all the chart and weather information technically and humanly possible to buoy the skipper and thus this crew for a safe and informed passage.
David has done a fine job,he has choreographed the trip,we work well at this point as a team,Joey,the second mate,primed after his 18 th birthday Sunday ,has preformed handy magic with the main sail winches, they were full of salt ,now spin mellifluously. Olivia went to town with David to do the last minuet market corral. She has drafted a schedule for our night shifts. Yesterday I walked part way from Vuda Point Marina to Lautoka,"sugar city"with Wendy to do the big last shop..And to devour the oozing essence of a city that, at least fifty percent of the population - is joyously preparing for the Hindu Diwali: festival of lights tomorrow. I just loved..the shops! So much alluring colour and titillating Indian music . So Fun!! Its been a long long time,shopping for unnecessities ,that is... one of those things I hate/ love ,therefore,miss/ don't miss.
We had a final dinner at the marina aboard,Beyond,our good Kiwi friends who completed a five year circumnavigation in Lautoka. I just love their boat,she is the proverbial wee yacht,like, a nautical, " little engine that could" -blue water worthy,aesthetically quaint and steely noble.
It is HOT ,so very hot.While David and Olivia went to check out I went for a swim in the 98.6 degree water,I was disgusted to see that when I came back aboard,every hair on my body was accentuated in a fine black soot..the town processes both pine and sugarcane but,ewwww...
Once we get through-out the tricky reef strung pass,the last detail: we must all dive in to clean the hull,the barnacles ,they slow us down..we unanimously hate this job...hate it!

ahem...
6days later
SOG 8.1( speed over ground )
31degrees28.274south
174degrees.53.783east
224 miles to go

"Now",is a very etherial concept,for just before completion of this note ..a note to inform,the skipper became agitated - overwhelmed,and Ive been there before,I'm sure you have to- you know when you try to be cool and level headed to the point where you just didn't rally with enough force and there is that pivot when the mind abruptly changes channels ,sees it all anew and panic obliterates the resolve. To put it simply,the skipper said," What the hell I need help! I'm starving!Stop writing that no longer important email!!"

Therefore,
The now was then and my *now is still in turbulent seas,and this won't be sent until our now is in NZ....
* this passage has been a washing machine but fast, it's a port tac beam reach at60 degrees..bumpy nauseating.. and Its getting colder and colder as we sail south!! How weird is that?? I'm wearing a big Canadian Roots sweat shirt- from Goodwill ,which I miss.Last 2 nights Ive used a fleece blanket!! So odd after months of what feels like perpetual hot flash
I could go on but it will make me queasiest .I'm sure you've got a lot to do. You may even
be doing three other things while reading this,you may be skimming and once you caught the drift of my digressive ramble stopped altogether...that's OK ,I remember..
If you receive this we will be safe and landed and doing loads of laundry and hunting for our buried cold weather cloths...help me God...I haven't put that one pair of jeans on for 1 year this Nov.6,last run ,Nov.7
Miss you
Peg

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Fwd: Fiji newsflash

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Peggy Hill <peghill6@gmail.com>
Date: October 18, 2011 3:12:16 PM GMT+13:00
To: "hilljeremy8@gmail.com" <hilljeremy8@gmail.com>
Cc: jdaziz@dophes.com
Subject: Fiji newsflash

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Ferocious Island Rain on Canadian Thanksgiving

Can't talk on all the phone calls David avidly makes.
Nothing upbeat to say,and I should have chapters of ' thrill ' to narrate...
Is it the rain?
Is it me?
We are staying up the hill, in a B and B,follow me here,up the road from the Fiji town ,Savu Savu and away from The Copper Shed Marina where Rhythm is mooring ...
David met Rod at the upholsterer in town.Rod is from Australia and has this shiny new house overlooking the sea. We are enjoying the mammoth space; kitchen with a multitude of appliances,a large oven,fridge,the works. Washer dryer,hot water showers,solid earth beneath our beds . Why can't this make me happy?
We had a fun evening last night,Sunday here,we initiated a pot luck for our thanksgiving ceremony.I made an island version of pumpkin pie- added shredded coconut,don't worry..Olivia made a traditional one too. We cooked a big chicken and David dressed it and made a hearty gravy. We taxied to the marina where Rhythm and our sailing community were awash in rain.The crews and skippers trickled in and we toasted and feasted. We turned to the Rugby world cup and cheered along side our South African,Australian friends present in team shirts. Olivia has become very entranced with the game,proud to know her bro Jeremy played and keen to learn every rule. We taxied back,up past where the pavement ends ,along the red running dirt road to Rods.
Today,early rise and yoga on the spacious deck right out our bedroom. Cooking here is a pleasure. We made use of what food stuffs we brought. I cooked scrambled eggs and tossed into a spicy cabbage salad...I had a craving. Yesterday I went solo on a cathartic walk along the beach ,the beach was the first of this trip with the grand birth of a very low tide..Today David and walked,but it was brief and very wet.I had a hot shower,i got into my jammies...I did laundry.I made daal. Joey made choc.chip cookies with coconut oil,borrowing Rods sugar. Joey nurses his necrosis..well,it looks very deathly,his athletes foot has turned rotten,oozing,open sores red and frightening looking. it's so very good that he is off the perpetually wet boat.Tomorrow,Tuesday,shops reopen after a holiday Monday and we will take him to the clinic.
Olivia does math.David writes a long long long letter Joey floats Rod floats,I am on the fringe
As usual.
Thinking of Jeremy and Philippa and glad David is so so so good at calling them ,he being always happy and cheery.
Hopefully ,more exuberant descriptive reporting will come to you soon
..whoever actually reads this...hopefully not my Happy Class teacher,Id be failing,
sadly

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Fwd: Goodbye Summer....

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Antoinette Ridout <antoinette.ridout@gmail.com>
Date: September 24, 2011 5:29:19 PM GMT-11:00
To: Peggy Hill <peghill6@gmail.com>
Subject: Goodbye Summer....

Thinking of you on Satday night.

I declare,I Love Tonga

I declare,I Love Tonga
Joey is back aboard!
One week ago,
O.K, two weeks ago
we arrived to the aftermath of the full moon party we were bound from American Samoa to join. Many sailing friends were here for the local regatta, sailboat races, ridiculous races,parties,games,all proceeds for the enhancement of the local education . Early that Sunday morning,coming into the green,flat topped hilly islands we were initiated into Tongas splendor ,astounded by the presence and arc of a humpback whale.I cannot find the words to express the feeling it invoked in me.
We moored at Niafu ,the town where immigration checks us into The Vava' U group of the 170 Tongan islands.We choose a mooring,advised by friends who have been amongst the large group participating in the towns regatta. A sailing race had taken many to a beach at the far end and they were sailing back Monday morning . Don Quixote,Discovery,Salamander,Steel Sapphire,Julianno2 ,Top Secret,Yaringa,Narama -and long anticipated,Wendy on Beyond all here .Over the weeks more friends from longer ago and further away , trickle back into our GPS.New friends merge,moving with us through and passed new places.
We moored and Joey and Olivia vamoosed to Kirks boat Discovery to join Don Quixote and others who were seeking a quiet anchorage to hang over for a night.
David and I went to track down Beyond ,anchored at the races end,a beach a car ride away.
We had an exuberant visit with John and Wendy,two dinners and a party BBQ for the regatta awards.A great band satisfied my enduring longing to get up and dance,like a tribal claim. They left for Fiji last week, completing a five year circumnavigation. WOW! We will meet them before our final leg to NewZealand .
In the Vava' U there are 42 numbered anchorages,the names too difficult to pronounce.We have been to two so far,#7 and # 17. Peaceful,easy,temperate with rain,caves that take you out of your comfort zone..,outrageous coral- seen from my kayak and through mask. swimming- so healing and comforting,despite the odd jelly fish....
Today,Sunday morning,peaceful,early is Mums Birthday.So strange to think we are a day ahead of our home Canada. On Thursday David,Joey and Olivia choreographed. a perfect birthday for me. David arranged with the locals at anchorage17 to have a Tongan feast,a " porker party" with fish salad,roast spuds ,grilled fish and all our neighbors in the anchorage.It poured rain but we got close on the porch of the local one room school house .We sat and ate our abundantly full plates at small wood desks established with Tongan names written in each right hand corner and English words taped to the backs of things . It would have been a perfect day if I could have had Jeremy and Philippa and all my loves from home walk with David and I that morning on a big lonely beach and share the sight - a spout of exclaim from a far off whale. The funny part,with all the nice to Peg for a day slogans,when I woke the next morning I found that I could use the worlds rotation to declare that in Canada,it was in fact still my birthday! despite my huge surprise of a new computer(!!) I haven't been able to get to face book and have only had a few exchanges via our ocens satellite email account.I sooo look forward to notes from home .
Today we are going to church,with our appropriate length dresses and most certainly a camera in hand," Sunday best" here in the islands is extreme,colorful and delightful.

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Gypsies,Nomads,Sailors

Gypsies,Nomads,Sailors
On Suwarrow Cook Island Atoll

We attended our last shark feed and potluck dinner on Suwarrow last night. They are so very special. In the morning,James demonstrated how to make coconut pancakes by first collecting the sprouted coconut pod with no more than two to three leaves,inside, the coconut milk is solid ,spongy and sweet,the meat ,closest to the shell is at this stage,hard opaque and bland tasting,to be tossed. One grates the "pod" and then combines equal parts flour ,sugar to taste and then mix with enough fresh water to create a consistency like that of a cow pie. Then they are ready to deep fry. I recommend using coconut oil - just enough to coat the pan . It was special too as John had collected upon the reef many purple spined sea urchins. A delicacy ,one eats them freshly opened ,with condiments as one would dress oysters,I enhanced the slither with lime and hot sauce ,conscious of it's high price at restaurants world wide .I had to trust the park ranger in John in his call to share the creatures with us. I had just began to collect on the beach the washed up purple pencil shaped coral/ shells that were once the live spikes on the sea urchins body. I'm going to send them home for my girlfriends...The entire atoll is made up of coral of course and Ive been really disciplined about not bringing too much aboard. The evening was fun and entertaining as always . I really get a kick out of the two older American men solo sailing ,Kennedy,a lawyer from Alabama aboard FarStar and Jerry aboard Challenger,a North Carolina man who caught his first shark at age 12. Just to hear the two of them speak on the radio is a daily treat.Last night Kennedy commented on my dress,I like a lady who dresses up. Oh man! I couldn't measure up to the feminine glam of those southern gals. Oh yes ,practicing divorce law for27 years he confessed,displayed many a gilded woman...
To think I was forlorn and I was sad to see our new friends leave on Saturday and didn't think the " new fleet" would find me a friend,however,I find with yachties we nomads have a very strong bond in our common denominator. I met a woman last night,Jo,born in Canada,married Rob,an Aussie.His family are boat builders and while they were married and honeymooned in Bequia,they designed,BlueMoon before returning home to build her. They are now enroute back to NZ where they bought a fine strip of land on the north island where they plan on building an earth bound home. There is one powerboat among our fleet,a rarity and the couple,Adam and Eve are from Los Angeles ,the boat called...Eden! they seem so clean and fit and young and talk passionately about the tv series,she saying thats all there is to do.I suspect,I betchcha,that they've got a little gym aboard! I really enjoy Warren and Marie aboard,( I forget)Met them in Riatea. they are Dutch and I got all excited talking about Laura and Guppy and Jillian.( as I always do and realize I miss them both and often wonder how Laura is doing and where she is,Marie informed me that she is already entering the Torres Strait!! Almost clearing Australia!!)

Yesterday I thought,if I can see something even a little thrilling of nature daily and talk to someone I've just met,daily I think this trip is indeed healthy and bountiful. However,not complete,even Eli says ,one needs a hobby. Ive tried to engage Olivia in some sewing,the machine is poised and if we cant sew in Suwarrow,we never will!!...? The last few days I've struggled with that pull between the frenetic life I've left behind and living so very close to nature at a pace that is,at present not very demanding. I'm reading and swimming daily,cooking and being a little social.David today seems happy and proud as he just cooked his first loaf of bread.I've decided we all need to take turns ,I made the one white loaf underway,Olivia spent. A day making traditional boiled and baked bagels and next will be Eli who wants to make Naan ,Indian bread.

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Blog Adrift

Blog Adrift
I've tried,honestly,Ive tried to catch up and blog about the last8 weeks. Or more?It's just so daunting and the attempts are like a reef wreckage.
I can only begin here and now to save the day.
We are anchored in the inner waters of the island of Suwarrow. It's almost been two weeks since we entered into the dreamy serenity of this Cook Island Atoll. We swiftly entered the pass and rounded into the quiet waters where all the boats were nestled , we wove through ,sleepy from our shared night shifts,motoring into the fold of the twenty-something boats in the harbor. A reunion ,like a warm breast,with many familiar yachts .Finally we caught up with Salamander! There was Gromit ,new Canadian friends we met in Huahine and there is Steel Sapphire. Waved beneath white sassy shades revealed David, he and Kendra from TopSecret ,now aboard "This Side up " We anchored with a clear and perfect view of the island and a swimmy-welcome from 3 black tipped sharks,plentiful and curious but not aggressive.
We are Eli,Olivia ,David and I.
We are in a whole new world here,so at variance to the rowdydow of our crossing from Galapagos,the darling and social hubbub of The Trifon Romance,the arrival of Eli and the departure of Joey and the arrival of Rob,Squeak,Charlie and Brooke.
The deeply committed and successful cultivation of our own working structures for living in harmony together aboard Rhythm....The Spanish to French cultures we attempted ;explored,shopped,photographed and the islands and waters we submerged ourselves into together. It was full and rich with a forever lasting connected memoir .
Whole ,New- This was weighty for me personally . It was particular to my longings as longing relates to my faith in this voyage . During our passage we "celebrated" ,meaning we said out loud, Today,Aug 5th,marks 1 year aboard Rhythm. I attempted to process this,or actually more like judge that. This or that- where was I at ?Suwarrow delivers the island dream,the desert island with real sharks,aqua marine waters,no shops,English speaking,it resembles camp as the island is park land .We adore the two Cook Island tattooed park wardens ,men with large hearts and the spirituality of true indigenous people with deep connections to the preservation of nature .James and John host regular potlucks,take us on reef walks ,welcome anniversary and birthday celebrations in the club house or on the beach. Eli has fished with John , catching grouper,barracuda,cod. John has husked coconuts for me and given me a reflexology foot massage.John grows lettuce and bok choy .
The Yachties ! What a fabulous group of people. We all share the cosy dreamy response to this island,This is what all our efforts have been about. Like the title to Tom Neals book,based on Suvarov,as he spells it,"An Island To Ones own. "We are,however,so very together here.
David and Eli went out,under the light and lure of the full moon on three different occasions to hunt for lobsters . We feasted aboard rhythm with Salamader after the first score .We celebrated next with Yaringa and Narama after more "bug"were brought back in the surreal light of the bright night. I slept on the bow,there is very little rain and a heaven full of sultry cool night breeze.Mmmmmm
We are now running low on fresh stores,still have lots of flour and rice,however,we are on the last dried fruit,a tub full of diced veggies ,enhanced with canned asparagus and hearts of palm marinating in the fridge- I long for and passionately crave these southern Ontario treasures: peaches,blueberries,strawberries,raspberries,watermelon, cantaloupes ,corn on the cob,beef steak tomatoes,rock hard apples...last night I was dying,dying as I ate abundantly from a bag of dried apricots and a pack of sugar finger cookies- yetch...
We will soon set sail for American Samoa,where Eli will depart and Joey will arrive. Joey will have two more grade 12 credits in his back pocket.
Next stop is Tonga where we languorously waylay our sojourns to destination NewZealand.

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Love In Aboard Rhythm

Our good buddies Rob and Squeak are here and ,as I was swimming Rob sat on the bow and we chatted ,we started talking about way way way back. Where and when and who ,how did our silky web of friendships begin? My nephew is here playing a sound track and it too is taking me home,as though he stole an old CD from us 10 yrs ago and brought it back. Earlier this morning I kayaked up a green jungle river which meandered Nam like. The smell of stagnant water took me really far back to our backyard on Russell hill rd. But it was names and narrative that inspired my heart and this long over due entry.
Joey left from Tahiti the night Sq,Rob,Charlie and Brooke arrived. He's gone to cram in two gr12 math credits at Yonge and Eg., staying with my parents. Enjoying the cottage with Jeremy, and his loving big sister . My sisters son,Eli,18 is our replacement crew for the summer..Dynamically,it's much more harmonious for me- without the Hitler youth(Joey,first mate..cough arrogant cough brat) With Joey,I react,run to my birth and slam the door . Eli is just great,into fishing,already been spear fishing,game to learn and quick to step up to task. I am facetious about Joey,we do miss him...
We have traveled from Tahiti to Moorea,and are now moored in a second spot in Raiatea of Iles de les societe . Tomorrow we head the twenty miles to Bora Bora .On the fourteenth,under the light and magic of a full moon we look forward to a Fr Polynesian national holiday ,likened to Mardi Gras. Rob leaves the next day .Sq and kids stay for July.
Having Sq and Rob is full on cottage mode holiday grunge,lots of wet towels and now after the initiation of all our mental rules,we hear our voices taken up and crew scold crew in water consumption,blah,blah,much fuss over the flush and swim concepts. Squeak came laden with goodies,not that my more sedate lifestyle needs reinforcement,however,the one size up in a new pair of lulu lemon shorts helps make room for my beloved Ginger people candies,black licorice . Rob answered my longing for Patron,such decadence and such fun. Together we have gone on hikes ,snorkeling with rays and sharks ,rented a beach bungalow for 4 days and nights that we shared in Moorea, bike ride in Huahine .We have just loved dinner parties by the beach uniting old friends and new friends.
Patty sent ' rhythm ' T shirts for all and got us new iPods and a fat hard drive for the photos and video I can now download. Michael arranged the boys flights for us. Jennifer and Sue dropped hand written notes to send with Eli,what an unexpected gift! Books and black licorice hearts from Jen,many thanks.
Once we trade back teen boys,we will head to Tonga and on down to the north Island of New Zealand. There,due to weather patterns and Olivias semi aborted early high school education,we hang our hats for a season. We may stay or Olivia may stay but we need to do something to facilitate her conventional education .
Anyone care to join us for Christmas!? Jeremy and Philippa and my parents will be down . We would adore it if you could join us..
It's been challenging but the skipper is merry,Joey is very well,Olivia and I wouldn't miss it and have much to be very grateful and thrilled about but but...it is hard to carve a little " you" aboard such a caravan. I can't even begin to imagine the return trip,I'm still trying to figure out who am I anyway? The answers I give myself so far are not too illuminative ,no epiphany ,no " by George Ive got it!!"
The friendships make as we gypsy about are a very sweet butter of the journey.
The friendships back home help us feel grounded as we float about on the metaphoric swelling ,rushing, lapping,roaring,undulating waters of the earth we share.
Until Later and with Elis help,pictures!!!! Stand by.Over.

Re: It's about time

Thanks for the imagery....stunning! Very jealous!! What a great
experience for everyone. Mags and I are committed to getting back on the
water next spring, and I can't wait! We rented a boat the other day to
check out one of our club's outstations on the islands and it was so nice
to be back in the environment. I hope you'll consider a Pacific Northwest
leg to your journey as it really is stunning here, if not quite as
culturally divergent (or hot, I'd imagine). ;)

Love to all,

Sean

On 11-06-29 10:13 PM, "Peggy Hill" <peghill6@gmail.com> wrote:

>I'm writing this before I've even got an Internet connection. I see David
>typing away on his real computer with his paid connection the past
>weeks,I've sent wee missiles via satellite but ,oh- to have my old iPad
>and it's familiar screen....simple. It's merely a virtual exercise right
>now.
>We are enroute to Tahiti from the smaller island of Moorea.
>A brief catch up geographically..We landed in French Polynesia after
>almost 17 days crossing from Galapagos,landing in Fatu Hiva of the
>Marquesas .Gorgeous ! Then Rangiroa of the Tuamoto group. We stayed there
>for 3 weeks..We were anchored in Moorea for 4 nights. There was an annual
>puddle-jump regatta thingy,"Tahiti Moorea Rendezvous "to be exact . The
>cruisers choreographed- locals hired,inspired with much dance,delivering
>to all your childhood expectations ,3 woman sitting keepers of a long
>bountiful spread of tropical flowers for us to create as many floral lays
>( you know,the floral necklace) as our hearts desire- anything to perfume
>our mildewy homes..I took much footage of the dancers,very
>Maori,Hawaii,Tahitian . Both Joey and Olivia were in outrigger canoe
>races ,winning heats,Joey and Magalis team got to the finals and lost in
>a dramatic smash splash photo finish- not a lot of this in their lives.
> Joey leaves from the city , Papeete tomorrow night at 11:45 pm and
>Squeak,Rob ,Charlie and Brooke arrive at 9:30 pm .A two hour airport
>party! Joey and Magali have the most precious calf love relationship,so
>tender and affectionate and darling. Someday David and I may reach that
>level of innocent non competitive compatibility,but,then again this ain't
>no island summer youth inspired medium...oy! OY! It is!
> Nephew Eli arrived a couple of days ago and slipped right in
>,fitting like a fine salty dog.He is such a congenial,entertaining,fun
>loving character,a perfect Patty/ Michael cocktail. Rhythms pontoons
>will be low to the water as every bed will soon be concave with bodies.
>Magali,Joeys insanely adorable girlfriend is aboard for the airport
>pilgrimage,apparently Air Tahiti may be on strike- Joeys exit
>airline....Everyday,I try and live by ," being O.K with ' what is'" Very
>challenging! This life,especially at anchorage is very social,like a
>Florida complex with better decor.....So the challenge is to be free and
>liberated,to go with the proverbial f l o w,but still,just yesterday I
>find myself behaving like an impatient child while David chats to a
>cruiser about the local chow mien ,Dios Mio! LETS GO!!! Like wise,we are
>both braced and very very excited to have the Ridout/Armstrong s here for
>July( Rob leaves on July16th)
>
>So,Joey is going home for math and back Aug 31 st It will be very
>interesting how this change reverberates in the collective ego here
>aboard Rhythm
>
>We r now anchored in the Miami of the French Polynesians, Tahiti,very
>Hawaii,very comfy- flash showy vessels,the biggest 100 ft + cat. Ive
>ever seen. It's now night with David and I quiet aboard,having done my
>first gourmand grocery shop since Panama,ooo,la la! The French know salts
>and cheese and tapenade and chocolate and relish ' aubergene ,rice
>crackers and here ,we reap the imports from NZ,pomme de crisp de sweet
>de fresh!
>We now have Internet,we now are surrounded by sculpted local athletes
>,like the boy men who raced beside our boat,just like Dolphins ,they in
>slim sleek kayaks and cutting edge competitive outriggers,the tattooed
>young sponsored indigenous studs were the most auspicious welcome we' ve
>ever had. I now need to rise at dawn to catch up from weeks of pre-"
>throw in the towel"physical fitness /do this at home maintenance.
>We think the flights are on for Joey tomorrow night so, now,the kids are
>on land with the intension and energy of a bon voyage.
>At 7:45, the sun set a while ago,pre dinner full,Im heading for bed.It
>will take a couple of hours but,Im enjoying music wafting from
>somewhere,the declining temperature,the feeling of a caravan community re
>settled and tomorrows departures and arrivals to catalyze mo'emo.
>I think of y'll everyday no matter how hard I try and stay present.I just
>had to bring you along
>love ,love,Peg
>P.S. Please,if Ive forgotten anyone,help me out amigos,just scooping
>lovingly from the golden pond of contacts in head heart and in de iPad.
>
>
>Sent from my iPad

It's about time

I'm writing this before I've even got an Internet connection. I see David typing away on his real computer with his paid connection the past weeks,I've sent wee missiles via satellite but ,oh- to have my old iPad and it's familiar screen....simple. It's merely a virtual exercise right now.
We are enroute to Tahiti from the smaller island of Moorea.
A brief catch up geographically..We landed in French Polynesia after almost 17 days crossing from Galapagos,landing in Fatu Hiva of the Marquesas .Gorgeous ! Then Rangiroa of the Tuamoto group. We stayed there for 3 weeks..We were anchored in Moorea for 4 nights. There was an annual puddle-jump regatta thingy,"Tahiti Moorea Rendezvous "to be exact . The cruisers choreographed- locals hired,inspired with much dance,delivering to all your childhood expectations ,3 woman sitting keepers of a long bountiful spread of tropical flowers for us to create as many floral lays ( you know,the floral necklace) as our hearts desire- anything to perfume our mildewy homes..I took much footage of the dancers,very Maori,Hawaii,Tahitian . Both Joey and Olivia were in outrigger canoe races ,winning heats,Joey and Magalis team got to the finals and lost in a dramatic smash splash photo finish- not a lot of this in their lives.
Joey leaves from the city , Papeete tomorrow night at 11:45 pm and Squeak,Rob ,Charlie and Brooke arrive at 9:30 pm .A two hour airport party! Joey and Magali have the most precious calf love relationship,so tender and affectionate and darling. Someday David and I may reach that level of innocent non competitive compatibility,but,then again this ain't no island summer youth inspired medium...oy! OY! It is!
Nephew Eli arrived a couple of days ago and slipped right in ,fitting like a fine salty dog.He is such a congenial,entertaining,fun loving character,a perfect Patty/ Michael cocktail. Rhythms pontoons will be low to the water as every bed will soon be concave with bodies. Magali,Joeys insanely adorable girlfriend is aboard for the airport pilgrimage,apparently Air Tahiti may be on strike- Joeys exit airline....Everyday,I try and live by ," being O.K with ' what is'" Very challenging! This life,especially at anchorage is very social,like a Florida complex with better decor.....So the challenge is to be free and liberated,to go with the proverbial f l o w,but still,just yesterday I find myself behaving like an impatient child while David chats to a cruiser about the local chow mien ,Dios Mio! LETS GO!!! Like wise,we are both braced and very very excited to have the Ridout/Armstrong s here for July( Rob leaves on July16th)

So,Joey is going home for math and back Aug 31 st It will be very interesting how this change reverberates in the collective ego here aboard Rhythm

We r now anchored in the Miami of the French Polynesians, Tahiti,very Hawaii,very comfy- flash showy vessels,the biggest 100 ft + cat. Ive ever seen. It's now night with David and I quiet aboard,having done my first gourmand grocery shop since Panama,ooo,la la! The French know salts and cheese and tapenade and chocolate and relish ' aubergene ,rice crackers and here ,we reap the imports from NZ,pomme de crisp de sweet de fresh!
We now have Internet,we now are surrounded by sculpted local athletes ,like the boy men who raced beside our boat,just like Dolphins ,they in slim sleek kayaks and cutting edge competitive outriggers,the tattooed young sponsored indigenous studs were the most auspicious welcome we' ve ever had. I now need to rise at dawn to catch up from weeks of pre-" throw in the towel"physical fitness /do this at home maintenance.
We think the flights are on for Joey tomorrow night so, now,the kids are on land with the intension and energy of a bon voyage.
At 7:45, the sun set a while ago,pre dinner full,Im heading for bed.It will take a couple of hours but,Im enjoying music wafting from somewhere,the declining temperature,the feeling of a caravan community re settled and tomorrows departures and arrivals to catalyze mo'emo.
I think of y'll everyday no matter how hard I try and stay present.I just had to bring you along
love ,love,Peg
P.S. Please,if Ive forgotten anyone,help me out amigos,just scooping lovingly from the golden pond of contacts in head heart and in de iPad.

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French Polynesia

Rangiroa,Tuamotos,French Polynesia. This is the location in which we now dwell,for now.
It really is ," paradise" .Paradise on earth that is,while inhabiting a human body/condition.

I do feel remiss in my personal commitment to recording this adventure in blog. I think I did send an entry while underway,mid Pacific?
Once again,we are in a pocket of mal internet.It is so incredibly irritating; it creates such FOMO ( fear of missing out) not that I feel I am missing something at home but missing my connectedness to the ephemeral ,the love connection. Home love,love to and from home.

Feeling very connected to the presence surrounding us,yes.The very precious connectedness to the sky and sea and all the bountiful and beautiful creatures beneath the surface.Connected to the new and interesting, amusing and comforting sailors in this pretty anchorage.

We had a wonderful time in the infamous Galapagos,having just caught Joeys lovely Magali aboard her parents Trifon before they left . We toured with John from Beyond and The skipper and crew of Top Secret .Lots of laughs ,sea lions and Darwin .We met up with Guppy;Laura and Jillian ,the fantastic director of her documentary,"Maidentrip" .We asked Jillian to join us,did I tell you this ?
We crossed the ocean in 16 days,22 hours,did I say? I can't get Internet to look at blog.
We had a wonderful magical crossing,one we will all treasure as supreme. It was what Id always imagined as David had promised; bridge games,timeless days to nights,shifting shifts every hour,fish flung daily aboard ,catching big tuna and assisting Jillian in the dissection / filleting,bread baking,creative cooking as our rations shrank.Lots of chats with the intrepid Jillian and her creative task as a documentary film director. I wrote daily emails on our satellite ocens email account and thrived on any words from home.Joey was in constant contact with Trifon,Magali our guiding angel.We had text via satellite phone with Guppy and tried to catch Laura as she had left two days ahead of us. I miss both of those girls and the very very grand adventure following Laura around the world.
We arrived in Fatu Hiva, Marquises,French Polynesia. What atmosphere!! It is where Gauguin is buried,now you can picture it.Very lush,dramatic heights,rocks that appear to be grand Indian Kings heads. precipitous waterfalls .The anchorage was insecure ,deep water very gusty was deep and the bay small which created a tumultuous and insecure anchorage.First night in ,we were woken at 3 am, to our anchor alarm,"we are dragging ", it bleeped. David and Joey hoisted anchor and motored Rhythm to bob just out side of the cove to wait for another attempt to grip anchor beneath the suns light. We were exhausted by the time we secured Rhythm. We adored the hikes to the waterfall,hamstring awakening walks up a hairpin road to the too and a 'blow me down' view of the cove where ten sailboats huddled and a festive feast put on by the locals. Trifon was anxious to move on to the promised diving in the Tuamotos We left the morning after they did for a four day sail to Rangiroa. ( with a lot of insane hair pulling annoyance involved in the chain to anchor...)
Rangiroa is the largest atoll of the Tuamotos. World famous destination for deep sea diving. Sharks,turtles,dophins ,barracuda,manta ray,sting ray galore . After awakening to the fact that our skipper seemed to have no extracurricular activities to distract him,I proposed that he and the kids take the diving certification course. They did,and we've also been bug eyed over the multitudinous fish in infinite prism of colors merely snorkeling .Directly at the stern of our boat,whilst cleaning out the porridge pot,a hefty school of red snapper appear ravenous and nip at the brush. While we were snorkeling ,Top Secret brought bread in the water with us and we were wowed by showy scales and gills and fins. Kendras yelp morphed to a belly laugh after snapper chomped her chin!!
We are sooo excited ,on June 26 we will take down Eli Haines in Tahiti .Four days later we fetch Squeak,Charlie and Brooke and send off Joey to HOME for the summer and two grade 12 math courses.
We are so looking forward to these east coast, west coast Canadians!!
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Rhythms Tilting Dance Floor

They play bridge and I dance...what can you do to keep from madness after 15 days at sea?
Days are simple and the dimension of time ethereal,elusory. Eat,read,take your shift,adjust the sails-reef,main up,down,gib in ,gib out...eat,dish duty-it is written...cards,nap,make bread,sit on the bow and drink it all in. No longing,disapline to see and feel the treasure of presence,knowing you soon will look back to the singular rare raw detatched capsual of a jewel in space and time.
We have 300 miles left ,have been on a broad reach mostly,and the swells are bigger with white caps and the winds are averaging 15-20knots.The profusion of flying fish have been courtly company with their humminbird-Dolphin like gift for flight ,they leap ,sublime and glide - actually steer ,soaring up from headsmack of a wave to achieve more airtime.Why?Insect food?A deft ambitious push to evolve out of the wet world or are they just doing reconnaissance? I choose to explain these pretty sidekicks as spirit guides holding Rhythm gently to her destination.
Dancing atop Rhythm has actually given me blisters, a rare sailing injury...!What arush,balancing on the tilting dance floor,the invisible partner tossing me gamboling,perilous footwork as I tilt and cha cha cha aside the mainsails boom. Focus on the beat,space and awareness -dont look too long at that mammoth wave- wind and one two three, sea and sky and feet and boom.
Then its,whats for dinner?Two days left-maaaybee,and one carrot,two insipid tomatoes,two oranges,two pommellos,enough lemons to ward off scurvy and mountains of canned tuna and rice. WE have caught one fat succulent tuna,reeled in by Joey and filleted by Jillian.
Who is Jillian?Oh dear yes,how long its been since I wrote...we have no internet,this is a satellite email account only. Jillian is the wonderful young woman who is directing and managing the documentary on Laura Dekker.Laura is "The "15 year old Dutch solo circumnavigator and we first met her in Bonaire.WE really like her and had a good visit in Panama where we met Jill and rocked to the Latin beat of Shakira,Again we played in Galapagos meeting them on our tour from San Cristobel to Isabella,There Joey and Olivia rented surf boards with the girls and they hung out with our group-Topp SEcret and John from Beyond.Jillian,sporty and game,took us up on our offer to cross with us in a vague hope that she might get some shots of Lauras 41 foot monohaul out in the wild blue.Laura left two days ahead and remains out of range,speedy ,gutsy and an excellent sailor-not without a competitive edge. She is going to Hiva Oa where we too must check in,however,we head directly to Fatu Hiva where Joeys Magali is hovering.Tonight we received a message from her saying the winds are too strong and that her Father is anxious to push o to the Tuamots group of islands.We therefore may alter course and meet Laura in Hiva.

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Last Stretch in the Galapagos

Last Stretch in the Galapagos
Got that feeling again. That revved up,get out the list pad and prepared to prepare.
We've just returned to Rhythm after a tour to The islands Isabella ,Santa Cruz.David and I skipped off after two nights with the members of Beyond and TopSecret,leaving Joey and Olivia with the party people . We had lots of fun,hiking to a volcanic site,riding down on horse back,seeing giant sea tortoises,iguanas,crabs,penguins,sea-lions.
We returned yesterday afternoon to see the remains of a sludgy mess made by sea-lions ..pretty disgusting ,J and O scooped the nastiest ...
We are anticipating the arrival of Jillian Schlesinger staying in Admiral Bay,Santa Cruz .Jillian is directing a documentary on the solo sailor ,Laura Dekker.Laura ,15,is sailing a 27 ft Hurley800 around the world.
We plan to depart for the Marquesas on Monday.
Check list: Laundry ,checking out of the galapagos,propane ,diesel ,water to be filled,fresh market / supermarket.
Jillian is now aboard - with a very precious gift of Panda Black Licorice X4 ! we've had our first meal and she did the dishes! We are so happy to have her and anticipating a very special shared experience in the warm south Pacific
Today we leave. This next passage to the first and largest group of the French Polynesians ,The Marquesas ,is the longest yet,3042 miles directly southwest. Between 3-8 degrees south and 90-95 degrees west.
Gaugin is buried there,Melville wrote about the islands in,Typee,R L Stevenson ,In The South Seas...Crosby Still Nash and Young were inspired there to write Southern Cross and...the 4 th survivor was filmed in the Marquesas.

Once there,we plan on doing a lot of exploring,an eventually meeting out nephew Eli at the end of June somewhere close to Tahiti,1000 miles W

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Galapagos Two

Galapagos Two
Since arriving early Tuesday morning here in Isla San Cristabol,we have been very grateful to get here;
This is why:
1) away from the mental Panama City,Panama and after initial high of Smiths visit and the canal experience, living on the boat in perpetual renovation like chaos, Stress and lists ..... 2) succeeded in sailing here from there under spiritually enchanting seas sky,by day and by night. 3) Clean water, a pleasant anchorage and a quaint friendly town and 4) We made it to see Joeys Magali !!! This dewy relationship was the veritable reason we came ,"when and where".

Last morning in Panama I was beginning to really crack.
I had two more pertinent tasks;
the market to pick and purchase enough freshies to last a potential of 30/40 days
And to the travel clinic to get follow up shots for both Joey ,Olivia and myself,overdue I might add.
The market wasn't so painful,we loaded up so that we literally gorged on fruit ,trying to eat before the worms or heat beat us to it.
We never did get those shots.Now,Monday morning I must rally the two teens to the sketchy looking hospital where an attendant just told me we could see and Doc and get the shots,
At least,that's what I think he told me.
The language thing is funny,I really think that we all,us linguistically challenged,Hills,really believe that either
1) it will just be placed into our brains like a chip the longer we stay in a oSpanish speaking world, or that,
2) after a while,they will just begin to understand us...either way ,the denial is plain,we just arent doing anything about learning more Spanish!!
We get by,the international expressions unite us.

Panama was fun about three times,the first with the Smiths,going out to the old town( I may be repeating here,can't get to Internet to read last blog ...)
For a really wonderful dinner,and back to Casa again with Salamander,a family from England traveling with their two children and a delightful Scottsman,Scot.
Third fun time was getting four tickets to go and see Shakira who preformed at a huge outdoor arena at the end of the causeway near Frank.. and Bruce Mao Large museum in progress...
The kids split and went ahead with Jules and Hilary of Salamander.David and I walked down,enjoying a reprieve from floaty work world,a beautiful night,moon waxing.We split up and I ended up with a gay man who kept telling me I LOVE YOU!
Then I met Guppys Laura and her good friend and Doc film director,Jillian from NYC. That was fun; walking back with them,having lost David,meeting J and O at the docks,pirating an unlocked family tourist bike for four and rattling back down the street to seek our skipper! We did find him and squeaked and whizzed back,youth revived,land and wheels a novel and earthen spree.
We left Saturday around 4 pm and motored just out to fresh sea ,and anchored spent off of the little island Tobagota
Sunday we sailed to Las Perles where we met Salamander and enjoyed two dinners with them in a fine anchorage. Tuesday we parted and began our journey to The Galapagos
Here,the thrill is,swimming!! The SeaLions! Restaurants,the smallness of a town,how precious. I realized that it j
Has been since February when we were in Bonaire that we have been in a place where we can swim off the boat( OK ,yes,of course we did in The San Blas,but we had an agenda)
The sealions are hilarious; 'sea lions',distinguished from' seals' because their ears are on the outside of their heads .They are everywhere,we must barricade our transoms and hoist our dinghies as they are found fat -bagging in these choice places. This morning,I observed the evidence that an interloper came up from the sea .A trail of brown slime confirmed the path, all the way up and onto our white vinyl seats in the cockpit. I imagine a doe eyed head resting on the tablecloth ,as the fishy smelling wet spot confirmed. In the water,they are sleek,graceful,playful..They come and swim with us! Under the boat,between the pontoons where the water is emerald and they can be seen zooming, torpedo -shaped strait under.The first time it happened,I jerked in fright!

What's it Like?
That's the question I asked myself 10(!!!!!) months ago before we left
I assumed the following with my mission statement :

#1 I had to let go, to surrender to ,"what is".

I projected;
I would have a hard time not being able to run / bike
Our skin would get sun damaged
I would miss daily communication with my friends terribly
We couldn't count on Internet connection
I would have a hard time living so close for such long stretches with my teenage children
David would not be," free" to relax,write,help the kids with keen interest in homeschooling.
David would spend a great deal of time fixing or stressing about parts needed to fix stuff on the boat.
I would assume basically the same jobs I had at home;food management,director of schedule: back up.
I could continue my personal intentions of mindful ;healing, open hearted seeking of authentic connections in relationship.
I would continue to practice yoga and meditation
We would meet interesting people
We would awaken with experiential learning ,move refreshed in the world from a very new and awesome perspective.
That my most ambitious longing to be swept up by Gods massive and mammoth potential for unconditional love and be cleared of all human suffering and become enlightened...would not happen...
We would simplify our lives in the arenas of social life,lifelong routine,material things and attempt to find something on our path that could inspire us to help the world in a tiny weeny way

And Actually;

That's what I foresaw . It is pretty close but a whole lot more intense.
The exercise thing is cyclic,I feel the loss of the activities I truly enjoyed and treasure as my own.
However,the yoga,the swimming when we can ,does sustain my sanity and sense of control,
David is committed to help Olivia with her Science ,however challenging.
Joey has become a competent sailor;proficient in all electronics,navigating,all systems aboard. He is savvy-communicating regularily with fellow sailors,skippers and crew alike,tenacious - confident in working through a challenging puzzle that David has handed to him to work through ,responsible, mature, trustworthy reliable.
WOW
And...not so respectful to his Ma, in fact I like him the most when especially Magali or other people are around.It's nature,his pushing me away,however,it hurts sometimes.
Olivia has finally come around to appearing to want to be aboard,to live the gypsy life,meeting kids her age or adults,speaking with wisdom,pragmatic,sensible,supportive.
She has matured and blossomed before our eyes,budding interests,and an opening of awareness that from my perspective is the template for learning and growing.She is brave,a willing participant in shifts at any and every hour. She has been a very delightful gift,her development healthy and positive! That,I didn't hope to expect.
Indeed,we have met some fantastic people,people I now claim as friends.

Epiphanies?
When Philippa was very young,she asked me,Who is God? I answered her malleable wee self and said," God is Love" We know love from very early on,that flippy inside excited feeling,warm as toast . Sometimes it makes you talk like a baby,sometimes it puts you at your best! Ultimately,it connects you to the real you ! I've been trying to open my heart during the challenging times,in preparation for this trip and of course during this adventure.Times when the misery is so cloying,so menacing I react,I want to run to yell ,to smash!! They tell me to b r e a t h, let GO Peggy........I long for love ,never able to " download it " then and there.
When the Dolphins came ,I felt it big!! They came to show me the love. Oh did they ever! It felt like spirit guides had arrived .They joyously ,swimmingly accompany us, a distinct feeling of connection,like they are there to play with us is very present. That's it,that's the feeling,love,and God is Love so,Dolphins are God,we are God!

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Still in Panama,recovering from Shakira...

last night we joined many other Panamanian Shakira fans in an open air concert that was a FUN inoculation to relieve our symptoms of boat mania.
We have been here for too long,another stretch of boat repairs,provisioning,waiting,lists; a very very tense pressure and focus for our skipper,and therefore,all of us aboard Rhythm.
The heat is cloying,I described to Olivia as we walked together on Sunday,it feels like How it must feel when you are a new born baby: with a warm coating of vertex to protect our body from the amniotic fluid. It astounds me to see Panamanians in JEANS!!!! HOW HOW HOW can they!!???
Aboard,trying to work /not to scream it is like being hungover with hives in an incubator along with your Siamese quadruplet appendages. HOWEVER,we have moved from the shipping lane side,Balboa Yacht Club to the Las Brisas anchorage,much nicer,water a little cleaner,many cruising confreres Majority of the sailing vessels are heading to Galapagos as we are. we still have a desire to sail to Ecador first,park Rhythm for about a week ,bus to Peru,hike the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. I'm waiting for the decision to present itself to me.
Recently I have been hot with the bug about the plastic Pollution.We have seen plastic floating where you can see no land,we see plastic in otherwise pristine desert islands and my most loathed,styrofoam take out containers wedged in mangroves on the sea shore. I just feel sick about it. Initially,way back,I'd expressed to David that I would like, and feel it is important ,to be very conscious of the world,a perspective viewed through the filter of mass media back from my little world of Toronto.Here we see the sky,wake to the sound of the ocean against the thin hull of our home and eyes come to focus with tie dye like patterns of light reflected from sun to sea to a wall inside. We are on it,floating upon a tomb of garbage. It
makes me so sad I could cry. I know how it feels to read vigilantes and Debbie Downers,so how in Gods name am I going to use this ardent emotion ? I have some ideas and would welcome yours,another Blog...and Japan! I just read about the flotsam like a land mass with full houses,cars and bodies in a cruisers website cautioning vessels to, "heads up!"


So,today Im off to attempt to outfit the ship with enough stores to last 40 days!! Yikes,my perspective is this: at the cottage,weekly I would do the shlep to Perrysound,I would spend the day,and return with a ton,just loads of groceries...so it is that times 6?!!!

I've done enough complaining,now hear this,I am aware of the JUMBO ,boundless and immeasurable adventure that is as multilayered as our very human selves. Perspective -learning is the magic carpet we ride.It is hard to see even from a boat,with all that sky and all that sea.
The very key ingredients are the world class characters we meet,the stupendous geographic sights that surprise us and the however arduous lessons of love in commitment for us as a family.



Anyway,

Day two Panama Canal

Day two Panama Canal
It's 6:30 am and day two has begun.I'm hiding in bunk as I hear the clink of cutlery as Margaret finishes last nights dishes.I should help her shouldn't I .Lastnight She and Trevor were ."on dishes" but we were all totally spent. She, a kind and compassionate Madre,she let her boy/ line handler crash to his port side bunk right after our late dinner. To stay present for a minuet ,we are just now motoring along in Gaton Lake to reach the second half of the locks,three up and three down. I just loved filming almost the entire experience last night with officious bright lights flashing up the dark night like a film set. I got some everlasting worthy footage.To have the Smiths share this has been a real boost for us,I too wish Jeremy and Philippa could also have been here.I really missed their ever ready expressions of enthusiasm ,knowing what a blast they would have had and what a fun dimension they could have added. In preparation we were delivered tires to add to our own fenders to attach to a French sailing vessel whom we shared the lock space with. On the other side is the Pacific Ocean,Balboa,where we'll stay at a marina.The Smiths depart on April2 nd..we look forward to spending time together in the famous city.I look forward to greeting John and Wendy aboard,Beyond and will be very sad to say so- long to Wendy as she flys back to midwifery and grandkids in NZ
To backtrack,beginning with night before last,we stayed at ShelterBay Marina in a very prime dock location,right by the pool.we arrived from Portobello midday and David had reserved two rooms at Marina for the hearty adults/ parents..grownup members of the cast of crew. The" treat "backfired a bit as the balcony looked right at Rhythm! David couldn't relax as the poor guy had gone through so many details ;the multilayered red tape and at the eleventh hour- last minuet green light .. Or not!? Then,after a flimsy meal that we shared with Smiths,enjoyably on the porch,colonial,sultry steamy humid night,we couldn't sleep!! It's hard to get sleep on a comfy solid bed with clean sheets and air-conditioning...I woke hungry at 3 something am and decided to go out the sliding glass doors to the balcony to get on Davids laptop which we'd fought over in wake time. I received two newsy emails from Jennifer and Mary,I just live for good long or just emails from all my precious friends.I can't beg for them because friendship is a two way and there are so often times I just can't technically connect. maryAAnn reminded me,it's been since Feb.since I've blogged.We ll overdue
We have spent the last month in preparation for this day and the Smiths vIsit.We were very anxious about details and last night filming Skipper David dancing through the locks with music vamped by DJ Stephan and the cousins dancing together was really a culmination of even more than a months anticipation.

Smith visit
The Smith family really,I need an entire blog to devote.Margaret; little sister of David, Aunt to look up to and always there ,you join in or kick ass- love to have a like minded woman aboard!! And,ever generous and giving and fun and game! Stephan,a life enthusiast,engaging,participating,gorging on all aspects of the sensual stimulants of the world surrounding us,often reticent,just watching,listening,always present.I love the way Stephan is so magnanimous with every single person of every size shape nationality class,he loves people and wants to open his heart and arms in a bear hug of love.
SanBlas.....last night he cooked up the second half of an18 lb snapper he bought off a Kuna,via dugout in San Blas Islands
San Blas,another blog; stunning national Geographics,the KUNa,such a rich unit of the tapestry. Selling stitched colorful graphic in fabric squares,a very old tradition in the matriarchal society as the woman waited for the men to return from hunts fishing ,they stitched. The water,colour of magic eyes of the sea......The veggie boat- rescued my fear of not enough produce,arrived in " the swimming pool" of the Holandes islands,they pulled up out of the vapors,in a massive dugout ,three guys,mucho fruit and veggies,an old scale,a pad and pencil and Margaret and I jumped aboard to shop- I love it!! We then spent a night anchored in the Lemmon Cays where we participated in a cruisers happy hour on beach at a bar.There was an adorable,however,skanky Scandinavian backpacker with blond dreads selling jewelry,Furry stuff,an ocelot ,a Brazilian dude gave her the pelt,he'd shot the feline for going after his chikens,so what to do? I had no cash,she promised to catch us before we lifted anchor early the next morning.I was surprised she made it,6:30am looking like she had not ended her night,and I bought a pelted bracelet.
Portobello,another blog
Day Two Another Blog

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Cartagena," The Mother City", " The Fort of the Kingdom"

HOT
I am so very hot.This city is magnetizing as today,the first in many I have remained aboard to tidy,meditate,write. The kids and Jay are in the salt mines,at task with the finale of courses at the air-conditioned wifi cafe.David is out there,checking of boat tasks on his list.David has really reached his stride,getting a little closer in his relationship with Rhythm and her many systems.
we often compare our boat,it's set up design,our way of living within it.We then remind ourselves,many of the cruisers,or,"yachties" that we've met have years of experience and "fiddle faddle "( Trudeau,1970)
We have been here for a week and the city,the promised,"world away " we have been sailing towards,has not disappointed. This is COLUMBIA,I keep having to remind myself. Architecturally alluring,her spirit is dense,rich with life;people living with deep cultural connections and a land seductive in natural resources. To walk into Centro,the old part of the city, within the infamous walls,is infatuating.Every thing,a chair outside a doorway,the hardware and trim and Spanish details is a photo opportunity. I am personally reminded of San Miguel ,Mexico.Each doorway a fortress, a cosmos within. Hustle , bustle ,modern shops and elementary sales :street level coffee,fruit,inexplicable fried treats,sombreros,woven bracelets and bags.Little English.A lot of curiosity.

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Loss

This morning we talked about loss; Jay lost his favorite shirt and one of his own brand: his Fizikel T shirt. I lost my very best blog EVER.Joey has misplaced his wallet .We've long since lost the use of our phones for regular use and all ipods but one are mere shells of a cute and slick design.
Loss and what "person ,place or thing" can we live without? If I made a list a year ago it would look like this; I CAN'T live without:my family,my dog,my girlfriends ,my bike,my running shoes ,my phone,my iPod,my computer,my yoga stuff,my third floor room.
Then,knowing we could only take the lightest of gear my 'let go' list looked like this, I can't live without: my family,at least 3 of them, bathing suits,sunscreen and sunglasses,my iPad,my yoga stuff,iPod,10 lb weights,minimal clothing and shoes for all weather,toiletries,fruit and vegetables,A tutor for the kids,Jay!
Six months from now?
Loss feels like a violation,it feels like an assault,you feel like a helpless victim; out of control.
You get angry,you feel guilty that this,"thing" can cause you to react with such passion ,you want someone to help,tell you what to do,make it better,give you a big hug with one arm and then,with the other,produce a wrapped package with a big red bow that contains the item you have lost,had stolen,got wet .
Life is a balance and therefore,we must have some basic equality on the scales or I think we would feel perpetually gimpy.
It's hard to live in such a all space with others and know certainly or not if your personal needs,things you can't live without, are self centered or just about self care and self growth.

Water,I forgot to mention water,it is damn hot,sizzling here in the noon time harbor of Cartagena,I've just put ice cubes in my water,the sea water all around is despicably filthy and our stores of fresh water is dear,therefore ,I can live with just sitting in a bather,in the shade of our cockpit drinking water .
I look forward to natures clean beauty of the San Blas Islands coming up next.

Sent from my iPad

Sweet Spot,Passage with Waxing Moon

During a passage at night,I have often had a very interrupted sleep,fearful that I'll sleep to soundly to be woken for my shift.When it is my turn,I stumble -body often gets slammed up against a wall,all mussed up and groggy, I put on the kettle and I gather something warm for the sweet rush of night sea wind,head lamp,glasses,book and iPod -if it's working,which it ain't...I just loved hearing a miriad of podcasts,a voice to accompany and to stimulate me into wakeful alertness. So ,settle with a mug of hot chocolate,up on the white vinyl seat at the helm.Above is a white hard top,but for a square patch just over your head,there it is blue canvas and now,in the balmy south,it is gone ;just sky with flaps of sail and boom and moon and stars white on black. what a marvelous feel ing of freedom,peace,solitude. but for me,I run a narrative ,it's that innate longing to share,express a very sweet experience. It's that," THIS IS IT!!! " Its that,come look come quick,you HAVE to see this,isn't it amazing,wondrous,the flying fish,caught mid flight like a badminton birdie on the bows trampoline,the moon,coming soon to full,who needs the headlamp,check out my shadow!That must be a planet,?,or is it a mast light,?,curious,attentive,responsive,responsible me! Look! In the water,phosphorescence !I sit now,cross legged,and ride this ocean like a meditating bronco rider.It's not so quiet,the sounds,this time,this shift,are comforting;rushing water,quirky groans below,wind -strong and warm against your skin like a loving touch. That's sweet.

Bonaire Birthday and a Columbian Coffee

MMMM,I just had to mention the coffee I just got served to me,in A ciber cafe,in Cartagena ,Columbia,it delivers,however,yesterday I tried the chocolate,doesn't hold a candle to Grenadas organic mastery.
Already a world away,Bonaire a beautiful island on the north coast of Venezuela is not to ever be forgotten. We celebrated Davids birthday and came away with a beat up windsurfer and fantastic memories. We arrived on a Friday,a very party night in a very euro vibed town .Jay went out,came back a long time later,a kick- start for the spanish worlds ahead.
We were moored,as the reef is delicate and recently protected right near town so for me, the pulse of the tunes entered from the water into the hull and vibed my bunk , it too swam through my port window and gave me a bad case of FOMO( fear of missing out) It had the feel of a cottage vacation spot,however,giant cruise ships brought Dutch tourists not camp canoe trippers
WE utilized a new gelato cafe,LIlys, with free Internet for the kids and Jay to spool off some school.There ,I met a woman and her two gorgeous boys,with Madonna blond hair and those attractive mellifluous accents. She was so cool,blond dreads ,living with Husband practicing perm-farming.A term I'd never known.They were waiting on deed to a farm in Equador,how amazing is that!? She gave me the information I was hunting for; where to take David for a romantic
nuit de n' infant terrible ..damn,I so so wish I'd switched to Spanish in grade 10...here,I can only mumble Buenos dais...ANYWAY...We got the scoop; Sorobon,Lac Bay.World class windsurfing,and a newly run resort with bungalows on the beach.Yes! details-Not so simple and I won't bore you but we did stay the night before David birthday,just the two of us.It was delicious,all the freedom,the land steady all night,the indulgence,the lofty selfishness,the National Geographic Scenery,the vibe of cool like whistler in the 80 s après - ski on the beach...
Morning: David rented 2 windsurfers , kids and Jay taxied over in the morning and we met them at JIve,the shop and restaurant.There,beautiful nubile humans,surf and sleep or sit dreamy eyed,bronzed and chill in the," why can't the world be this way?" serenity .
To describe this bay is hard without a photograph,it for me,was one of the times ,as I swam like a meditation in the clear white sanded water,a STOP RIGHT THERE moment.Growing up with a subscription to National Geographic,I can't help but to see the world through those glossy mesmerizing pages and to measure real sights in comparison . Not just the aesthetic but its ability to connect its natural essence to my own worn and slightly jaded ability to really feel alive and moved in the world. We have warned one another to beware of jaded jargon,like,"Ya, I saw the sunset yesterday",or,"Ya, Ive seen the bird,the mountain,the full moon and stars,the colored fish,birds, the land -ho,the new city on the horizon,..."
We are indeed,blessed. This world, ie the microcosm of my morning kayak- circumnavigation- is a blender of stench and lush and color and new city sights, culture and language ,very old and third world and bird species and flora ...world wide sailing vessels,navy ships painted ominous flat grey,loud choppers overhead -subtext of underworld; metaphor,juxtapose,happening!
Bonaire,yes,also a world class scuba diving mecca.Just before we sailed away, we had to have a last snorkel ,a swim off Klein Bonaire,a small island just behind our mooring, protecting us and surrounded by coral,a national park. J and O saw a turtle and we then,swam up to David who was doing donuts with Rhythm like a Dad waiting in the car as we had one last run.

gypsy is in me

I think Im ready to go.
How can we leave this enchanted island with all the rain forests,coastal villages,beaches and jungles that have been described as Eden.With local people as human as anywhere,with all the kindness,graciousness,curiosities,and love. With also suffering sometimes personified in bad choices.A culture ,like so many,that cuts a deep pattern that is difficult to enlighten.Who are " we" to enlighten anyway? The very simple plan that we can all agree on is literacy and education for everyone.We have met some people here who really are " enlightening" in a very basic and heartfelt way. They are,Hands Across The Sea, a Dolphin 46 Catamaran like ours. Aboard,Harriet and T.L work through their own US not for profit organization that provides books for schools in the Caribbean .Through them we not only went on two stellar hikes but also met Alicia,who ,also American,is just finishing her two yr post here with the Peace Corp.She works with blind kids who can't make it to a school.
Inspiring and for them ,frustrating and rewarding.
How can we leave our precious new friends from Norway aboard,Sirius !? Mum Gertrude,daughter Ingaborg and son Thornstein We first met at The Hash.Dad Stein,we have just met upon his return from work in US. It is very hard. I say this life may be simpler but it is intense. At home we make friends more slowly and in chapters. Usually for life! Here we make fast friends and we are aghast to realize ,there may be a good chance we will never meet again!! It is like a microcosm ,I'm just hoping it won't mean we become small minded or shallow .Our intention is ,of course to never frame our space and be mindful of the big big big picture,take that lens up, up and out creating room to belittle the annoyances .
Gypsy- Yes, I feel it already. The desire to just GO!
To hoist the anchor,to adhere to our shifts.To have found this place where a routine is created by the skipper,no significance insinuated here...just the freedom that this timetable can offer.Freedom from too many options,we adore making friends and being social but that too can become a complex web of organizations.
This is the gypsy initiative ,without connections beyond the boat,one is actually more free to be connected to that vast largess that liberates us from our minds constant analysis.Simply,to be present with what is.
Yes yes I could pontificate on and on in debate around in circles.I'll leave that be.

Our hikes were. Insanely gorgeous,one a mountain called Mt Qua Qua on Wednesday,where Jay and Joey went native.....bare
foot....and got sensual , not together...with mud between toes. It was more of the same rain forest jungle mud and rain and green and an aroma -perfume in the air like heavens musk.
We then hiked down the road and onto another path through farmland,note : Grenada is The SPICE ISLAND with cocoa trees,sorrel plantes,nutmeg trees,orange trees...Did you know cinnamon is a tree and it is the bark of that tree that we know to become that comforting spice..
Then we found two of the seven sisters waterfalls with big pools to swim in.
The next hike was basically walking in an enchanted river upstream for about 3 hours with a guide,a stunning man,Wello,a local - authentic extreme . He brought a very long rope.He brought and used a very sharp and big machete.He cut fruit for us to eat. He took care of us. All wise and native and strong.
Today David had to go to court to testify about the theft of our dingy on Friday.Olivia just informed me that he won't be finished till 4pm!!! this is not good considering we were to leave tomorrow morning and he still has the water maker to perfect/fix..
It was a very big Bond like drama.He and Joey and Olivia all accompanied the Coast Guard in a
high speed chase in pursuit of the local boys,one in our dingy and two others in a previously
stolen dingy ( I think)The coast guards were all testosterone and the poor dumb perp.ended up crashed under the big powerful twin 350 hsp(?) Sinking our engine and injuring the thief .Olivia and Joey felt compassion for the boy who is still " not moving in hospital
Our next destination is Bonnaire,one of the Dutch Islands of "The ABCs" which is on the north west coast of Venezuela. We would have stopped in at some of the more remote islands of Venezuela ,however,word is to stay clear of the piracy that currently abounds.
I'm not scared ,but I did think to clears a space in my closet for Olivia in case....

Virgin Hill Hashers

It's been 6 months aboard Rhythm.
Saturday morning was the first time we checked in to ," The Cruisers morning check in,announcements on the VHF Channel 68. They were inviting us all to join the Grenada island Hash!!
What is a ,or,The "Hash"? Ok,I just went to Wikipedia ,go see. It originated in Malasia by Brits,of course. They called it ,'A drinking Club with a running problem' Officially,The Hash House Harriers.
We heard on the VHF about this event with suggestions to all participants; don't bring electronics,they will get wet,the train will be challenging although all ages are welcome,being in shape will help as there are hills difficult even for dogs,bring a light as it may get dark by the time you make it to the end.Unlike our,10K runs and the like,no distance is foreclosed or purpose...
David declared ,we are going!Instructions included directions to at least the start. We meet in town via bus by 2:30 pm and gather and grab buses to go further into the interior.
A place we have been pragmatically and studiously trying to get into,pricing buses taxis rent a car options...We are here for further work on Rhythm and to do some voracious and intense school work. Yay Jay! So the tour to hike and see and feel this island beyond the anchored home and beyond the wifi of the marina,had been waiting.
We waited no more. We got the bus,hot hot hot,reminding me of India,music a stream of consciousness one tune morphing into the next.I'm not able to stop the in seat jive in the back of the bus...We arrive at a cafe in the town of St George and Carribean style,wait a. while...weather,and see a majority of University of St Georgemedical and veterinary students gather along with a few cruisers and as many locals. What a mix! we started feeling a little comically wary as we asked questions about this 'event'- getting smirks and noting winks of inside jokes...uh-oh...what are we in for?? I noted t shirts from past Hash events and realized ,we'd really missed out on something internationally known!! How did that happen to us Canadians?
We made friends with a cruising Mum and her two kids,very same ages as J and O. We caught the University bus,really feeling like students when the English prof in charge barked out the Waiver excluding the school from any responsibility and took to the narrow windy steep road up up up into the views ,passing graveyards of the fortunate bodies,rich in real-estate .
We went up to The Grand Etang jungle at 1,921 ft and on .We finally arrived in a non descript area,houses on both sides of the road,modest,with neighbors keen and curious.They had seen this before.
The start,can you imagine about 150 people and many dogs,one whie cat on a shoulder,all scrambling down behind a very very small hut like house,first stepping on the womans front stoop,to say,hello as she waved from her seat on the floor!?!! She pointed at a chap behind me and said !Man with cane should not go!! I had a little chat with him,offering to help,thank God he took her advice or the dogs would have had to find us many hours later.
It was exactly Romancing The Stone,so funny that the first intrepid steps across the first river as we bottle necked for each person to step on stones to avoid soakers.HA! Seconds around the bend was a massive river we all just waded through surrendering completely. An older man,I'm guessing 70+?.. Was sliding precariously up the next full mud slide incline,I tried to give him a hand
NOTE: all my 'do-gooding' ...why was I not up with the lead runners??? Hmmmmm
Anyway,he said oh no no Im heavier than I look,I then quoted from his T-shirt,"Life is Good!" and he responded,"Dont believe everything you read!". he did make it,btw
And it is NOT a race,it is designed with forks in the road just to trip up those keeners in the front and choreograph the group to stay closer together
So,it was insanely fun! We got covered in mud and waded through many a stream,the root J and O we on was longer and included ropes for down hill precipices and a waterfall near the end. We arrived elated,amused,inspired AND with coacoa pods,nutmeg and a young drinkable coconut. I received some odd bites in crotch area that had me panicked until they just went away. I got a bit on my foot at the end that kept me up for 2 nights with itch.Joey had to run bare foot as he only has flip flops! He did sustain some cuts but nothing serious
We saw the island,felt the warmth and spirit of the people; the locals would point us in the right direction as we passed and we obviously enjoying the Saturday spectacle.
After a wee hut provided us with beer and a huge vat of what the locals call,"oil-up" if that's how it's written? It's the infamous breadfruit( brought here from Captain Blye) ),and dumplings,sweet potatoe,chicken,fish,and a pungent tastey sause made with spices grown on the island with shredded coconut....Much jolly energy as we all waited for all entries to return from the jungles of the hash.Shouts of HASHERS etc.
Fun,I had sat with the assistant dean of the med. School on the bus,Glenn,we ended up hitching a ride together on a truck,he in the cab and David,J and O and I standing up on the back.
There was quite a traffic jam in this narrow road of a neighborhood,and we didnt want to wait til the Hashers got to crazy,there is much lore of hasing like rituals played upon Virgins of the Hash,ie if your running shoes are too new one may be invited forsefully to drink your beer from the shoe!!!! Saturday night had begun!
We had a blast riding on the back in the dark of night down down the hill that felt to us like that last GS run of the day- down the mountain feeling fully all the good feelings of the day.
Alive!

Cottage Day on Union Island

This is the first day in weeks,where it feels like a rainy day at the cottage.
We left our beloved Bequia 2 days ago.
we realized,that since the new places we saw in the US,we were finally off to places yet unexplored by us!
Heading south with good wind,we approached Mayreau a small island of The Grenadines next to the Tobago Cays. We anchored in Salt Whistle Bay,with northerly swells,Joey and Olivia put in a stern anchor,which also reassured our unenglish, gesturing, very close neighbors. Across the pretty sand beach ,I found a very prototypical beach which was one of the first I felt compelled to film,photograph and send home! So vivacious with the wind,the green only on the land ,the affectionate puppy like indigenous dogs,channeling Sister for me to love. I also had that feeling that I compulsively had to turn back and bring the crew to share this expanse and to watch the extreme kite surfers. I nabbed David and we walked back. We met one of the fit young woman surfing,here chartering a boat from Moscow,"close!" she responded to my Canadian nationality . We met German and French families,both traveling with kids younger than ours for a year each.
Bequia was wonderful. We loved it all over again this year. Feeling like home it was very social and felt like a real holiday.
Mum and Dad were game and we had loads of fun with our new lifelong friends,Tom,Melanie and Rose and our Bequia buddies, Martha and Scott.Dad introduced us to a lovely Swedish family who I won't even dare to attempt to spell here in public. We had a drinks party on the boat and I do believe it was them,however,it could have been Martha and Scott, who brought the first delicious bottle of red wine that Ive had in months,I can print that;it's Santa Rita .Cab.Sauvignon,Medalla Real 2007 yum yum Thank you
NOTE: it's 11:42am and rainy cottage day is over,now the day is windy with a clear sky...for
now,anyway.
On Union island.It's so cool to see the subtle differences in these islands. here,there is a small but charming little center with fruit and veg markets housed in colorful huts. there is a French influence,Joey satisfied a late afternoon craving with bread and imported pate.
I'm looking forward to visiting the organic chocolate factory on Grenada to satisfy my cravings.
So,this feels like the real thing,the adventure begins.
Life ,is not too different,believe it or not. the challenging annoyances of compatibility between us crew is anywhere we go.A work in progress. Rhythm,she, the boat ,and her needling puzzling irritating needs,I want new parts! I want oil ! I want fixing ! I want attention!I'm not working ,Im just not! I want you to take me apart and put me back together! I want another new part! I want you to pay someone else to help me fix me unearth my fundamental needs! you don't KNOW me!
Teen Rhythm we need you,teen Rhythm we love you!

No Resolutions on Bequia

Second day in and no resolutions,well,actually ,I did say Id like to get to bed earlier...we'll see.Its not a very  sexy promise.
Just before I opened Davids computer,I was heading for the beach. I was going to find a spot to sit and meditate,if I could -the swell is still sweeping to the top of the beach,strong and vociferous and frothy and playful ,mighty.
 I had a dream ,Jude Law was my friend and he had such an overdone tan it was shocking,I said,'you better stay out of the sun,son.' We saw him here last year for real so..
.Its Sunday morning just before 7am.I slept in a big bed with Olivia again,second night not making it back to our home,Rhythm.
I want my toothbrush!!
My parents are here,having arrived on Wed. morning just after Christmas.Philippa had left on Dec.27th. We had a great visit with her.Christmas Day was very chill-not in the Canadian sense,haha,we stayed in and very slowly we opened presents,anticipating a lobster lunch up at Tom Melanie and Roses place.
The lunch was fabulous,they had presents for everyone! We had yummy drinks and happy open and generous hearts.We played the chocolate game! We had lots of fun
We missed our family
WE missed our friends
We arranged one of Keegans rooms right on the ocean for them. We rented the space we had last year for our kids and Jay.   Its a million dollar location with a quaint ghetto ornamentation.(Id just die if the proprietors knew I said this as they are very earnest and hardworking.)  Just paint the place white!  Remove the rugs,have matching cutlery,white plates.....
 So,because of the swell, that locals say has lasted an unusual length of time,David has stayed here,I have mostly been swimming to and fro.  Swimming in! What a trip that is . The dingy has to  transport cloths,food,and landwithout mishap.     Swimming- like yesterday,NewYears Day I had to swim over to do damage control -there was voluminous and multitudinous rain on the eve and we'd left all the hatches open.When I had left,I closed the people sized hatches and locked up but forgot about the potential for rain.I was also worried about my kayak,if it was full of water,I pictured it dragging under and pulling on the anchor.  Oddly,I seemed to be the only one concerned.  So,as I swam out ,I nearly had a heart attack as I became aware of a foreign body in the water,yes a blob I soon began to imagine was a body,it was bobbing,a plastic buoy,personified by many hairlike strands of rope , a pink human coloring ,it was NewYears Day -things turn up , could have been a run- over -by -motor boat- reveler who has yet to never show up for todays brunch??!!     Anyway,it was inanimate and I made it to the boat where there was lots of mopping to do.  The rest were all gathered at Mum and Dads pad. We had a day plan.
We planned to meet after 1pm at the NYDay BBQ over on Friendship Bay. Martha Kellagher and Scott,Melanie Tom and Rose.  
 Ma and Pa;
Joey and I took the bus to pick them up,a small van type and on the way,sitting in the very heat of the back of the bus,looking out to the sea as we swerved and honked and jockeyed for road space I was compelled to shout to the local passengers,'Do you people know how lucky you are to live on this divine island?'   I didn't but,I  do love Bequia.
We've had a fun time,it is disappointing not being able to even have them come out to the boat .Can you believe!? We have the intention to take them south to Mystique,the private island,pretty,with cool bars. We will, we wait for settle winds and surf.
WE had a dinner at our favorite,Fernandos,we had a really fun night with Martha and Scott and Toronto architect Michael,cocktails and dining at wonderful Tante Pearls.We walked down a gnarly path to Princess Margaret beach and got wet shorts as the waves played with us,taunting like an annoying kid who wants too many tickle fights
Im going to the beach
Am I?
Church is in the near future and we desperately need groceries.Town is a long walk or short bus ride away.WE had popcorn,crackers and peanut butter for dinner last night. I just couldn't scrounge up the energy to go get food,or scrape a pasta with shelf food together.I just ate and drank enough to put me to bed.We watched a movie.
I miss our movie night.