Windy in the Bay

The work goes on and on but things are really taking shape with the canvas work. Avell and his guys have completed the bimini and the dodger. The dinghy and motor cover are finished and the rain catcher Is in place. We had most of the work done by Thursday afternoon and as we awaited Dawn and Laurie's arrival a wild rain squall passed through. Every seam on the bimini leaked and rain and wind swept around the dodger. We did not think we needed a flap of fabric but alas we were wrong. He came back out yesterday with a block of bees wax to rub down each seam hopefully eliminating the leaks. The side panels for the rain will be done on Monday. All that's left is paying the bill! We haven't got the final bill but so far it is far less than we were priced in Martinque and far less than St Lucia. The davit installer still has not arrived to install but he has the blocks of wood and the backing plates in the ready. He is using a wood called Purple Heart. We had never heard of it but he claims it to be a very hard wood perfect for the job. He doesn't work on the weekend or Monday so we won't have that job done until next week. Then we will be free to leave and get to Rodney Bay for Christmas, depending on a weather window for safe passage. 

Dawn and Laurie arrived on Thursday afternoon. They were in Carricou and the winds have been very strong.....they call these winds the Christmas winds and will continue for some time. But they took their best shot and made it here in almost one piece. They had a squall and a gust of 32 knots hit them and suffered a tear in their mainsail. It was still usable and has been repaired already. 

This is a lovely little island to spend time on waiting for work to be done. It is so unlike Rodney Bay with supermarkets and malls etc. The grocery store is quite complete but very basic. They sell no fresh produce in the stores only vendors on the streets with a huge variety of good fruits and vegetables. A meat man arrives on Saturday morning and cuts portions on a table on a side street. The fishermen blow a conch to let you know they have fresh fish on the beach. It is very rustic and very quaint. The town will have the lighting of the lights under the almond tree tonight. It is at 8:00 so not sure any of us will still be up. The town is quite decorated for sure. With Dawn and Laurie here I'm sure a hike will be in order.