The Peltons are comming

It is always exciting to have friends come to visit and when the Peltons come it is no exception. We had planned months before that they would come down for an exciting week of Sun, water, sailing and exploring islands.
Dave, Dorothy and Greg arrived in Canouan a small island in the Grenadines. They had traveled 2 days to get here and Ben had asked about 1000 times when Greg was going to arrive. After packing some 50 lbs of stuff (including the new pc I am writing this on) for us we picked them up at the airport and ferried them out to the boat.
What a week of adventure this was to become. The anchorage in Canouan is so rolley this time of year we decided to anchor just North of there. But as fate would have it each time we set the anchor it dragged. So our only option was to move to a different island for the night. As we had intended to see the Easter regatta in Bequia later that week we set sail for Admiralty bay and motored most of the way into strong head winds and seas. Dorothy was a real trooper and the trip passed quickly as we caught up on old times.
The next day we awoke to another bad anchorage and decided to move. Crossing the harbor we settled in a tightly packed group of boats. We spent the day relaxing and getting our guests comfortable. The Morning of the second day we decided to find a little more space to anchor the boat but the main engine would not start. What we did not know at the time was that the rough seas had stirred up sediment in the fuel tanks and clogged the filters. Dave and I worked on the engine on and off for the next four days trying to get it started. Beginning with the starter motor, which was turning slowly, we had it serviced. When that did not fix the problem we went through the fuel system and changed filters one by one. Only through some miracle of miss ordering did the shops here in Bequia have multiple filters we needed. Yet the motor would not start. We decided to take a few days off and play. Jean, Dorothy, Dave and the kids went sightseeing with "Creamskin" a friend here that owns a taxi.
Despite the engine we had an excellent visit with our friends. We could not ask for more congenial guests and fun was had by all. Dave and I told each other all our stories. Dorothy got roped into uncountable games of Go-Fish with Stevie. Those two had so much fun together. Greg had the chance to put mask & fins on and go swimming. He did really well.
We were very sad to see them leave. The morning they departed we dropped them off at the ferry dock so they could catch the boat to Canouan. Many of the local racing sloops were on the dock waiting to be loaded and taken back to Canouan as well. About an hour later Jean and I went in to run errands and find a mechanic when we heard our names being called. It was Dave & Dorothy. They had almost taken the ferry to ST Vincent when they discovered that a more direct boat was coming to Bequia and then on to Canouan. We spent another hour talking and checking the ferry schedules to make sure they could reach Canouan in time for their flight the next morning. And then Jean and I had to return to check on the kids. As the ferry left the dock we waived to each other and Ben blew his conch in farewell. They are sorely missed here aboard the Omarsea and we look forward to seeing them again in the not to distant future.
Post Script: The day they left we were able to get a mechanic to look at the engine. With a whiff of starting fluid that ole Perkins fired up and ran as good as new! It also began the wet season. Our friends had left the much needed Oregon gift of rain with us and hopefully are headed home to a sunny Portland. As we often say Cruising is cruising!