When we wake up in the morning, there is one cruise ship already in, and the Aurora is further out in the channel, waiting to come in to dock. We watch as Aurora is piloted in, disappointed that she is pulling in to the far side of the dock and will be hidden from view, but we wave frantically as she moors up, before she is obscured, just in case.
Minutes later we see an ambulance arrive, lights flashing at the end of the dock and can’t help but worry!
We pull up the anchor and motor into Inner Harbour and start putting into place a mechanism for getting Mu and Ron on board. They will not be able to clamber over the sides of Jeannius like we do. Luckily we still have our gangplank, but the wind blows strongly, pushing the boat away from the dock and the plank continually moves. Still, I think to myself, they can’t do worse than Johanne, and at least there won’t be a crowd of bemused Israeli sailors filming their every totter. (I’m sure that somewhere on UTube this film actually exists – Johanne wearing her Jimmy Choos, squealing as she tries to board Jeannius in St Barts – no amount of description can prepare you for how funny it was!)
We wander round to wait at the end of the road, amused by the guy attempting to hire out motor scooters to the cruise ship passengers, average age 70+. I think many of them are quite flattered to be asked but I don’t think he makes any sales!
It’s lovely to see Mu and Ron and they are especially pleased to see Mike, who they haven’t seen since he was in the UK last September. Mu manages the gangplank very well; Ron is more cautious but as the alternative is waiting on the dock for us to return, he manages it too.
The sail over to Peter Island is fairly choppy, but Mu loves it (obviously where her son gets it from). Immediately we are anchored in Deadman’s Bay she is up and heading to her favourite place, one of the seats at the bow. Ron, being a little less sure-footed, sensibly stays put and drinks his wine!
Photo: Mike’s mum, Mu, admiring the beach at Deadman’s Bay, Peter Island
The weather pulls out all the stops today. After a relatively overcast start, the skies clear to a brilliant blue and the strong breeze makes it comfortable to sit in the shade and chatter over lunch. There are lots of turtles around today. All too quickly, it is time to take them back to the Aurora, and the sail back is a little more subdued.
We walk them back to the cruise ship and say our goodbyes then race back to Jeannius, sail her quickly round the corner again and re-anchor next to the cruise dock. The other cruise ship has left so we have a clear view of Aurora and now know where to look for Mu and Ron. Within minutes they appear waving from their deck and we watch, waving to them as their ship backs out and heads for their next port of call.
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