Our day started with a boat named "Best Friends" trying to be our new best friends. They had drug their anchor through the windy night and were just about hitting our boat. So there they were directly in front of us. This was a "charter with captain boat." If you ever plan to do that - be careful! The captain you get may be incompetent - like this guy. Without moving, he was simply going to drop another anchor. Barbara had a little chat explaining that they were too close, and nobody else had two anchors out, and they were right over our anchor and we would most likely be leaving sometimes that day. So he ignored her and motored the boat a little way away (with the first anchor still down) and dropped a second anchor. Over the course of the day, they managed to move one or another of their anchors and still managed to stay close enough that we could pass snacks (not that we wanted to!) At one point (after we had been gone off the boat for some time), the captain told Michael that he grabbed on a chain that's down there. That was most likely our anchor chain and we noticed that our snubber (the line with hook thing that gives the anchor chain some stretch) had been moved. So Michael had to get in the water and dive the anchor to make sure we were still hooked. As the day progressed, "Best Friends" kept dragging - closer and closer. Finally about 1500 they pulled both anchors and left. Thank goodness. After spending 45 minutes looking for a spot to re-anchor they went into the marina. And even then, didn't seem to have a good handle on how to do that!
We did some provisioning yesterday - the freezer was getting bare (no fresh fish caught) and we wanted to take advantage of the French cheeses. So back to "what do you do all day?" We got the outboard on the dinghy (this is a daily ritual - putting it on in the morning and taking it off at night); the dinghy unlocked from the boat (just like you'd lock your car at night) and got all our canvas bags and backpacks together to go to shore. Our grocery list was made; French-English dictionary in hand and off we went. Tied the boat to the dinghy dock and walked first to the fresh veggie market to check what was available and the prices. Then we hiked a few miles to the "Match" grocery store. Along the way we stopped at a few banks to get a cash advance as we didn't have enough Euros or dollars (they take both at the store - but the exchange rate isn't very good). We had no luck, so hoped the grocery would take a credit card.
We arrived at the store (after three stops at hardware stores looking for a new lock for the dinghy chain). This takes awhile as our French isn't that great. Luckily for many items - there is a picture on the label. So shopping takes awhile. Plus, we have to convert kilos to pounds so we can understand how much it costs (comparatively to the states). Then we convert Euros (everything is priced in Euros) to dollars. So every item takes a bit of time to decide if it will go in your basket. (Side bar: to use a grocery cart - with wheels/basket you have to pay .50 cents) Michael and I were each armed with a basket. Everything is an adventure and that's why we love this cruising life. So we had all our groceries and then waited in line. And waited. And waited. Two lines were open (one for 5 items or less). The checkout ladies chat with everyone going by and getting the line shortened is not a high priority. So that took awhile. You bag your own groceries, in your own bags (or it's a dollar for one of their heavy plastic bags). We were armed with cooler bags as well as the canvas and we loaded up. Each now armed with two bags and Michael had one heavy backpack - we headed back to the dinghy. Left Michael at the dinghy and Barbara went to the veggie market for some fresh stuff. Now fully loaded we pack the dinghy and head back to the boat. Once on the boat, we have to get rid of all the cardboard packaging and load the fridge. Might as well clean out the fridge before loading, so add a bit more time to the equation. So "what do you do all day?" is taken up by everyday activities.
We also sounded out Simpson Bay later to see how we get into it. We would be anchoring in the lagoon for the rest of our St. Martin visit. There is no "anchorage" fee in here and we'd save $4.50 a day. We decided to go in on the 1730 opening as the roll in Marigot was getting a bit larger. It's not quite as pretty and the water not quite as clear- but there is also no roll and we had several friends in the lagoon. To pass through the bridge, you simply que up on either side of the bridge and wait your turn. It opens at dedicated time (0815 1430 and 1730) and the outgoing vessels go first then the oncoming vessels. There were three vessels coming in and two going out on our opening. It's a tight squeeze through the bridge as its quite narrow so only one vessel at a time. People line up on the bridge and cheer you as you go through. We were newly anchored by 1815. It was a windy, squally night - but no roll.
The weather is keeping us here at least through Saturday or Sunday even though we are only planning to go to St. Bart's which is 15 miles away. But between here and there the seas are big (8-10 feet today) so we'll wait until they settle a bit.
Michael took off this morning on a run to Budget Marine with some fellow boaters and has been looking at some small outboards (used) from a few folks. We missed the big "cruisers" gathering last night as we were moving the boat into the lagoon. It's a buck beer, book trade and info sharing. We're sorry we missed it as we have lots of books to trade!
Oh and a final note on "what do you do all day?" - cruiser's midnight is 2100 (9pm).
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