Second Period in Saint Martin de Re

Chapter 6

31 October 2011

I found free Wi-Fi!! You go and sit in La Poste and there it is. A short walk and not as convenient as on Adhara but the best yet! Or so I thought! Very good connection but limited for uses. Cannot phone or email so only any good for browsing and booking travel etc!!

But when I got back to the boat I found WifiPass again which is free but only in one hour sessions (as was La Poste) Also I can sometimes see the café wifi. Anyway, slightly more satisfactory.

I’m not sure a bike wheel works when this shape!!!

When I arrived I was alongside another boat so lifting the bike on and off was going to be awkward so I locked to a post on the pontoon very successfully for weeks. But it moved (or someone nudged it) and I didn’t notice. The front wheel touched the wall and when the tide came in the pontoon rose and the wheel got jammed between the wall and pontoon. I noticed before any more damage was done .

I’ve now made a little tent on deck and now alongside the pontoon I can lift it on board more easily…….with a new wheel! I now have a spare set of spokes and hub.

Now here’s a bike! A Strida. Interesting engineering and interesting to ride. You change gear with your ankle! Folds quickly and can be carried or wheeled. But, as I read in a write up, men have to watch their vital parts if breaking hard!!!....see the saddle position!

Michael lives on the island with his wife Jenny and this is his transport for cities including Chicago and other far flung places where he takes it on the plane with him.

Sunday 19th November 2011

Sitting at le petit dejeuner aboard Adhara in Saint Martin I looked at the photos on the bulkhead of my family. Guy, the President of the yacht club I am frequenting came for tea yesterday and I was showing him my family and Joyce’s. I had been sailing on Guy’s beautiful Tofinou 8 meter built here in Saint Martin by Latitude. We had a lively sail in up to 20 knots of wind and I found it very different to sailing a great heavy steel boat like Adhara. We went for coffee after in Bistrot Marin and I discovered that is where “the crowd” hang out here.

Anyway, returning to breakfast today I started thinking about my children and grandchildren and how proud I am of my children and their spouses and the pride and care they are providing for their children, and all are showing great signs of intelligence and caring. Their parents give much time to encouraging them and taking them to various sport and other activities. What joy, and what better for children. It upsets me so to see other children not receiving the same love and love is the main ingredient here costing nothing.

I was surprised yesterday to manage a video Skype to Dan, Dawn and Elizabeth. I didn’t think the signal strength would allow it. How lovely Elizabeth is and what an experience to see her proudly potty training!!!! I spoke to James the other day and the lovely Eva said “hello Pappi” so beautifully and “goodbye Pappi” as we closed. I have to admit missing my family but Skype makes it easier and I feel a great need within myself now to spend my retirement travelling and experiencing new places.

30th Nov 2011

Well, I decided I should get out and cycled the footpath to La Flotte and onward toward Rivedoux (where the bridge to the mainland is until I arrived at the Abbaye des Chateliers having stooped for a picknic lunch on the way. In the Middle Ages, the first monks built the Abbaye. They first planted grapevines, extracted salt from the sea and then developed their commerce. Above all they taught their methods to the inhabitants of Re.

Just across from the Abbaye is a farm and truly free range chickens who could roam anywhere with no restriction……to the other end of the island or across the bridge to La Rochelle if they had a mind to!!

Daisy in the cow shed had chicken visitors

I cycled on to Fort La Pree but found it closed so cycled back to Saint Martin.

2nd Dec

An old guy with a wilder beard than Steve’s just came alongside.

3 failed attempts so I stopped breakfast and went up to help him! He has sailed across the Atlantic and back 12 times!!!! but still can’t come alongside! Typical French, one fender and one line! He was heading for Marans but tide wrong to get up the river so he stopped here.

Rained heavily all night but sunny (but cold) here this morning. Washing day today!

12 December 2011

On my way back from the Pattisserie this morning:-

Just a few days before flying back for Christmas and New Year with Joyce and the family and I had lunch in the cockpit in glorious sunshine and warm. Just a jumper was enough. I have good neighbours!

Gendarme Maritime. Best way to keep on their right side is to have them at the party! Last night was the UPSM Saggitaire Diner for those with that birth sign. How did I get invited!! At the Bistrot Marine and a great night and the Gendarmes were there too.

Tonya (her birthday) and she started UPSM. Apparently famous sailor and has done many single handed voyages. Guy (President UPSM and my sailing buddy on his Tofinou 8) and I’m not sure of his name but 3rd person has raced Atlantic sponsored by the town. And second picture the dancing commences. They even had me up there!!!!.

Storks on pylons