• 1.JPG
  • 2.JPG
  • 3.JPG
  • 4.JPG
  • 5.JPG
  • 6.JPG
  • 7.JPG
  • 8.JPG
  • 9.JPG
  • 10.JPG
  • 11.JPG
  • 12.JPG
  • 13.JPG
  • 14.JPG
  • 15.JPG
  • 16.JPG
  • 17.JPG
  • 18.JPG
  • 19.JPG
  • 20.JPG
Pin It

Having spent two years in the Caribbean as full-time cruisers, we were never disappointed when a French flagged yacht entered the anchorage and anchored on top of us or another yacht. Elaine was constantly out on deck using her "teapot" stance and waving a figure to indicate "I don't think so", following which they would inevitably lift their anchor and move. We had one Frenchman who thought, since he was only going to be away from his yacht for an hour or two, that staying on top of us was completely acceptable. Needless to say, he grossly underestimated the first mate he was dealing with and promptly moved.

 This phenomena became a bit of a joke amongst sailors of other nations and if someone did complain, one always received the response: "must have been French".

 Elaine also spent numerous hours "directing traffic" in an anchorage in order to help the more inexperienced charter sailors get anchored safely so we could all have a good night's sleep. In fact, Roy has gone as far as getting onto another yacht at the request of the owners to help them anchor.

 Well, sailing in the South Pacific has a few different nationalities that we all have to deal with and to be honest, they are worse than the French, as they will attempt to completely ignore you while continuing to anchor, even though they will have to short scope so as not to end up hitting your bow, a definite "no no", given the strong winds in this part of the world. In a huff and a puff they will eventually move, once confronted or when the camera is hauled out to have photographs as evidence in the event of a potential accident.

 For this reason, we spent the day onboard yesterday as yacht after yacht arrived in Musket Cove ahead of the strong winds predicted for this weekend. Although we had re-anchored to increase our scope (aka put out more chain) and are right at the front of the anchorage on the edge of the channel and adjacent to the mooring field, which is completely full as well, we still had a few bright sparks that thought they could squeeze in in front of us. So, our apologies to the French. It seems there is just a specific elk of sailor who will attempt to chance their luck at the expense of their fellow sailors, regardless of the consequence.

 By early evening every safe and reasonable spot had been taken around Paw Paw, indicating that we had the all clear to go ashore to enjoy our Pig Roast dinner which we'd been looking forward to for almost a week and we weren't disappointed. In fact, Roy went back for a second serving. Fortunately when we returned to Paw Paw, surprisingly, everything was as we had left it! It is fair to say, we were both relieved at not having to have yet another confrontation after a very pleasant outing.

 

© Copyright 2011 - 2024 Elaine & Roy Cadman - Do not use any written content or photographs without written permission. All rights reserved

Our website is protected by DMC Firewall!
/*
Joomla templates by a4joomla
*/