We wake up to torrential rain which continues on and off all day. This is not good because tonight is the long promised Jeannius Curry Night and we have between 8 and 12 additional people (depending on whether Chessie makes it to Bequia in time) coming over and it won’t be as nice if it is soaking wet in the cockpit.
I start to cook at 10.30 am. I am never very sure about cooking for large numbers, in terms of estimating the amount to actually cook. I am OK with chicken dishes (count the breasts – easy) but I am also cooking lentil and chickpea curries and these are harder to estimate. However my motto has always been, if in doubt, cook more!
Given that I can’t use the oven and the pots that I am using will only fit on the stove one at a time, cooking is more time consuming than usual but I am happy to do it as payback for the number of times we have been aboard the other boats and been looked after.
By late afternoon, everything is cooked. In this heat, at least re-heating will only take a few minutes as nothing will actually get cold. We then hear Chessie on the radio as they enter the bay and Mike calls them to tell them that Curry Night is tonight. So that’s 12 guests and 5 of us. I have enough assorted bowls etc but they will have to bring their own cutlery!
The rain continues although it eases off in the late afternoon and there is a hint of sunshine and blue sky. Sod’s Law prevails though, and just before people are due over, the heavens open and the rain pours down.
The Crazy Horse crew are the first to arrive, dripping in water but undaunted as they unload crudités and a wonderful dip, as well as some rather good Sauvignon Blanc (these crews know what I like). Shortly after, the Ocean Jasper dinghy discharges their soggy crew with more wine and a wonderful squash and blue cheese appetiser that Maggie has put together. Finally Chessie arrive, again, dripping wet. Thank goodness Jeannius has so many bathrooms – we just hang all the wet weather gear on the doors and hope it will have dripped the worst off before they have to leave.
To prove that catamarans are the true party boats, we pose for a photo – all 17 of us.
With 30 year old rock music blasting out of the speakers, Moe reheats the dishes and we put everything out on the table. Some of our guests have never really eaten curry before and it is interesting to see their take on it. I deliberately have not made anything too hot.
After we have eaten, Maggie and Bob show us all the film presentation that they have put together of Annie and Jim’s wedding day. It is fantastic. Everyone squeezes around the table to watch, then they make way for some of us who couldn’t fit around the table the first time to watch it on the second run.
With full bellies (hopefully) people start to leave in a lull in the rain. Bev Moe and Jutta have done nearly all the washing up and wonderfully there are leftovers for tomorrow.
Another great evening with friends who will shortly disappear.
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