 Paul had been recovering in Carriacou from an accident this past New Year's Eve, when during an appearance on shore this past week, he was struck by an SUV backing hurriedly into a parking place. Dashed against the wall of a local store, his previously damaged shoulder and knee were again assaulted as was his forehead, which received a few stitches at the local hospital, and a few of his ribs (either broken or cracked). Dave, an old sailing mate of his and my new friend, host & landlord here on Carriacou suggested that it would be a big help and good time if we were abale to help Paul sail his boat from Hillsborough around to Tyrell Bay to his mooring. So it was Dave, Georgie (his wife), Bella (their almost 2 year old daughter), Soufy (a friend and ex-pat from England & Sweden) and myself as crew and company for the short voyage. In spite of being somewhat bunged up and less than his nimble self, Paul was in fine form, sharing stories of past voyages, adventures and mishaps ...and making sure we were well plied with rum. I spent some of the time minding Bella while Dave and Georgie (both experienced sailors) did most of the work raising the sails and pulling the anchor. We had some overcast so the sun wasn't too bright and there was some good wind so the voyage was fun and exhilarating. That there was also a local sailing race from Tyrell Bay to Hillsborough & back gave us a chance to show what his boat (Cherub, his current 42-foot Venus ketch) could do, with (according to Paul) a dreadful bottom covered with barnacles and weeds. It was a great day on the sea and meeting Paul, who it turns out is something of an artist as well, with a book of his watercolors, http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/606457. The book I must have is one of stories about Paul by his friends, "Memories From the Sea" - http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/609549 |