It’s time to head south again and although we had a great but chilly, summer, our departure almost didn’t come soon enough. While sitting on the plane before take-off we actually saw a few flakes of snow.
As usual, we flew Toronto to Trinidad with Caribbean airlines. Waiting at the gate, they boarded the people in wheel chairs and then those with young children. A steward approached us and asked if we would like to board immediately before they began general boarding by row. We jumped at the opportunity and laughed at the respect we seemed to get this year now that our grey hair is more pronounced. Almost every time I stood on a streetcar, bus or subway train this past summer , someone offered me their seat. Often it was a young person but other times it was a gentleman. I have decided that women who hide their grey hair are missing out on a lot of pampering.
Everyone was onboard the plane early allowing the pilot to leave the gate 20 minutes ahead of schedule. It was a very comfortable flight with a good tail wind getting us to Trinidad almost an hour ahead of schedule.
The hotel shuttle picked us up and had us to the hotel and checked in before midnight. This gave us at least 3 hours sleep before our wakeup call at 3:30AM so that we could make our early morning flight.
A quick shower and we were on our way back to the airport in the shuttle by 4AM.
Again, everyone was onboard ahead of schedule so we left the gate at 6AM rather than 6:15AM. When we arrived in Grenada, the early morning flight to Carriacou hadn’t left yet, but because it was so close in time to our arrival, I had booked the afternoon flight. Although there wasn’t room for us on the plane, there was room for our baggage so we were able to get rid of our checked baggage right away.
The morning was spent in the LiftOff Restaurant upstairs in the airport where we made use of the free Wifi and television to kill time until our friend Alana arrived to pick up her mail which we transported in our carry-on luggage.
Alana stayed with us for a while but eventually had to leave. It turned out that our flight was delayed from 2PM until 3PM making it a long day.
Finally, we left Grenada at and arrived in Carriacou at 3:20PM. Our friend Fitzroy was there waiting for us and so was our luggage.
Fitzroy drove us into Harvey Vale where we stopped at Alexis Supermarket and in addition to saying hello to everyone we picked up a few items and then on to the Yacht Club.
Our room at the Yacht Club was ready and waiting for us. We dropped our bags and walked along the beach back into town. We met Joe and Elaine and sat with them at the Lambi Queen where we limed for a while.
Returning to Carriacou is unlike returning anywhere on earth. Everyone stops, hugs and welcomes us home. Cars driving down the road, see us, come to an abrupt halt, reverse, stop and jump out to welcome us. As we walk by houses, people come out running after us with a hug and welcome. One of the very best things about Carriacou is leaving and then coming back.
We remained at the Lambi Queen to see our friends Roland and Kathleen who were coming this evening just to see us. They are leaving to sail back to the States later this week so this would be our last get-together. After they arrived we listened to the pan band play a few tunes and then had dinner at the Lazy Turtle. Finally we dragged ourselves back to our room where we slept until daylight.
We had a quick Starbuck’s instant coffee that I brought along for first thing in the morning. It was about 6:30AM when we climbed aboard the boat. Neither of us were pleased with the new counter tops that had been installed over the summer so we will redo them, and we will probably do the work ourselves. The rest of the boat was in good shape. The hull had been painted with anti fouling paint already so we just had a few thing to get ready in order to launch. We were ready to go by 8:30AM but the yard was busy until noon. This gave us time to return to the yacht club for a nice breakfast.
Once in the water, we were told we could stay at the dock until Monday if we wished. This was handy as we were able then to launch the dinghy, wash the deck and begin organizing inside. The yard only had a few gallons of water which meant we had to get the water maker going right away which was no problem as it started up okay.
One little hitch with the new galley and head, the faucets and the existing plumbing connections in the boat were both male. The drain hoses were not quite long enough either to re-connect . So we couldn’t turn on the inside water pressure and we couldn’t use the sink drains. Roughing it for a while didn’t bother either of us so we turned on our deck wash (freshwater) and brought the hose around to the companionway entrance in the cockpit.
We had dinner at the Lazy Turtle with a nice meal of pasta again and this time ordered Pizza, ensuring that there would be leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
We spent another night at the Yacht club which although it wasn’t necessary, it sure made things easier.
We cleaned and tried to organize all morning. Fitzroy came by and offered to help us carry our luggage from the Yacht club to the boat, which we appreciated .
Dishes were washed in a pail, we washed in another pail, and a third pail I used to wash walls and cupboards. Life was good because we were afloat.
I learned that one thing I am not good at is brushing my teeth and trying to spit overboard. Our side decks are continually being washed with toothpaste.
Although still a mess, we had enough area cleaned to be able to sleep comfortably onboard. Tied to the dock at shore however meant that there were plenty of mossies to keep us company. We smeared ourselves in Off, and lit a pic for the night.
I’m not sure what happened but, it was daylight and we were still sleeping at 6AM. I could hear Fitzroy knocking on the hull and telling us it was time to wake up!
He joined us for a cup of tea while we had our morning coffee. Breakfast we left until later so we could enjoy it away from dock.
It was 7:30AM when we let go of the lines and motored over to our mooring. It was nice to know exactly where we were headed and not have to search for an anchoring spot.
As we neared the mooring, Cigarette was returning after a morning of fishing and he had Nigel in the boat with him. He raced to the mooring ahead of us so that Nigel could take our lines. Nice.
After breakfast we returned to the task of cleaning and organizing. I worked below and Rick worked on deck. It was so hot and sunny that we desperately needed to get some canvas up. The stainless support for the canvas, the arch and the wind generator pole all needed to be polished and it was much easier to do it before the bimini went up. Rick smeared on the sun protector and under the shade of his hat went to work. Even though he was drinking many litres of water, he was getting muscle spasms in his legs and hands.
After an afternoon siesta, we jumped overboard for a swim.
We were a little stranded on our mooring until Sherwin came by with some gas for the outboard motor .
More cleaning and organizing. A little canvas went up. We really need to get some food onboard other than milk cereal and coffee.
Rick went ashore at noon and picked up lunch from Natasha. It was a good island lunch of chicken, rice with peas, macaroni pie and potato salad.
The afternoon entailed a siesta and swim. It is important to go slowly while we adjust to the heat.
The need for real food was strong! We went ashore with jerry cans and a grocery list. Our first stop was Alexis Supermarket where we had them hold a nice loaf of pan bread for us until we returned from town.
When we came out of the store, Gilma stopped with her bus and after welcoming us back asked if we were going into town. Knowing how Gilma drives I explained to her that this was my first trip to town this season and I would ride with her if she would drive slowly. No Problem!
Well, easier said than done. We raced around the corners on two wheels and came to screeching halts at each speed bump but She dropped us by the gas station in one piece.
As we worked through town buying everything on the list we amazed ourselves. It isn’t really difficult. At first I thought that it was interesting how everything we needed was available on island. After thinking about this a little more I realized that I know what is available on island so I don’t torture myself by listing things I know I can’t get.
We had a nice gentle ride back to the jetty and our dinghy in Norbert’s bus. He picked up our gas at the gas station and our groceries at the Marketing Board and Matheson’s Supermarket.
It took Rick three trips in the dinghy transporting everything back to the boat. I think we have the basics and can cook and eat onboard for at least a few days.
Sherwin said he wanted to come by for a visit at happy hour. He arrived a little late and brought his cousin Miriam and her friend Charles with him. I didn’t have any snacks prepared to serve but we had a good time anyway.
We could actually have a breakfast of eggs and juice. The cereal may sit on the shelf for a few days now, we have both had our fill of it.
Rick transferred and filtered some fuel into the dinghy tank and generator holding tank, while I continued cleaning and organizing below.
At 9AM Rick went ashore to pick up the plumbing parts he had ordered. Oh No! Wrong size! We had ordered nipples to connect the water system to the faucet but we goofed on ID rather than OD measurements.
I couldn’t believe that with all of the spare parts aboard this boat that we couldn’t come up with four connectors. Rick dug deeper and what do you know, exactly four connectors. It took him quite a while, standing on his head at times, turning the air blue with frustration but he was finally able to turn on the water pressure.
One fitting in the galley thru- hull had been damaged causing it to leak but, as luck would have it, there was a spare part for that onboard as well.
It was time for a late lunch and swim.
One of the nice things about going back to Canada each season is returning with goodies I can’t buy here. When we shower in the cockpit, I now have all my nice smelling Aveda shampoo, conditioner, face wash, lotions and even Rick has his Aveda shampoo and shaving cream. It feels very decadent.
After our swim and shower, the winds were light enough that we could finally put the head sails up. The stay sail wasn’t bad but after the head sail, poor Rick needed another swim and shower. We just relaxed in the cockpit and watched the sunset as we cooled down a little.
It is Friday 13th, one of my favourite days. We slept late and awoke to another sunny, hot day. We had Bongo Man (who is a diver for Lumba Dive) swim over and clean our mooring for us in the morning. Rick supervised the job and then gave him a lift back to shore in the dinghy when he was finished.
Although the boat is still in a bit of a mess, I didn’t feel like cleaning again today so I cooked. It was nice to have a home cooked meal onboard the boat finally.
Since the sails are all up now, Rick was able to put the forward portion of the sun awning up which really helps to keep the boat cooler (well, not so hot) inside.
After an afternoon siesta, Rick tackled the galley drain which had been damaged at the thru-hull. This time I supervised. It took a while to get it apart and then after a major cleaning, it had to be reassembled. The portion of the drain which I worried was being over tightened, was not tight enough. Oops. It was time to call it quits and just close the thru-hull until tomorrow when we will try again. Probably tomorrow I won’t have as much to say about how the job should be done.
We went for a very late swim. Rick dove with his snorkel and retied our mooring line to the nice clean clevis of the mooring rather than the top of the ball. I should sleep well tonight as the ball will not be on the attack.
While we were still in the water, Sherwin came by in his dinghy, hustling for the Lambi Queen and pan band tonight. I think this was a first but we told him that we would have to pass this time due to either old age or just overwork, but we were both tired.
Rick finished the connecting the plumbing in the galley, I did a few small jobs but not many, it was too hot and muggy (30°C feels like 45°C).
We relaxed and had a nice lunch onboard. A single handed cruiser, John Turner, on Solea who we had never met before stopped by to gab. He goes by JT so we now have a JT, JP and JB on the island. We agreed to meet him at the Lazy Turtle in the evening to continue the conversation. JB who owns the Lazy Turtle is at a wedding in Florida so Brad (Witches Song) is looking after the restaurant. We ate at the restaurant twice last weekend but since Brad was in charge we made it a point to eat there again.
It was about 4PM when we saw the sky start to change from blue to dark grey. It was obviously a very heavy rain storm coming our way. Poor Brad was rowing by us as fast as he could heading for his boat. There hasn’t been much rain this year during rainy season so he wanted to get his water catcher set up before the storm passed.
It was a good one, visibility was down to less than a mile, the wind was strong and there was lots of water. The storm lasted about 30 minutes and then the sun returned but the air was much cooler and more comfortable.
We had a nice dinner and evening at the lazy turtle.
This was bite the bullet day! I wanted to finish the last of cleaning and organizing. First however, we had our traditional Sunday morning poached eggs. I have missed them. Traditions at home are different than traditions onboard.
The last of the unpacking and cleaning was finished by noon. Rick was polishing the cockpit but stopped and offered to wash floors for me. My hero!
I have a nice little EBook reader that is so appropriate for down here where there are no book stores. I am able to get and download any book I want even new releases before they hit the stores back home. I tried to talk Rick into bringing one but he wasn’t interested. Well, I think he just became interested because he took mine! We sent a request back home to buy us another EBook reader.
It was a beautiful afternoon and we went for our swim and shower finishing in plenty of time to have happy hour in the cockpit and watch boats arriving in the bay.
It has taken a week but I think we are ready to get back in the groove of island life.
Oh no!!! Bad things can happen in the dark or when you are sleeping. Rick hasn’t climbed the mast yet to put the tri-light in place and a booby chose the top of our mast to spend the night. We wouldn’t mind except we now have booby poop all over the deck and our nice clean canvas.
After breakfast, Rick took some laundry ashore while I kept one load onboard to wash by hand.
His project today was to trouble shoot the fresh water system. With everything connected it seems like there is air in the system but we haven’t found a water leak.
While I was rinsing the laundry in the cockpit, I noticed that the deck wash (which is a separate pump) has also started spitting air.
Well, it was tough to find but easy to fix. The connector from the water tank to the intake side of the deckwash pump was broken so it really was sucking air. It took all afternoon to find it but once found, Rick had the spare parts and it was fixed in no time.
Generator and water maker running, laundry almost dry, it was time for a swim.
Afterward Rick went ashore and picked up the clean laundry and returned in time for happy hour.
When the batteries were charged, we turned on the hot water heater to see if it still works and to find out if my new faucets are connected properly (hot to hot side). He said he connected them blind but both the galley and the head are correct.
One last thing to check and that was the microwave. We have some good leftovers for dinner so although I don’t use the microwave often; it’s good to know if it is still working. I had to remember a little Spanish to operate the microwave but it worked properly. (The microwave was replaced a few years ago in Venezuela so the touch pad is in Spanish).
We awoke to a perfect day in paradise. There was nothing urgent that either of us had to do today so we both puttered. I washed the summer black-out curtains and the summer canvas that was on the boat while we were away.
Rick cleaned a storage area and changed the cockpit lamp shade (rebuilt the light) so we don’t have to eat in the dark any longer.
I loaded our navigation software on our new Netbook and was able to interface with the GPS in no time.
We both took time in the afternoon for a siesta and swim before dinner.
The dinghy never even got lowered into the water today.
We awoke to our first rainy day since arriving. Little squall lines were going by at regular intervals with the worst of the rain going north of us. According to the forecast, this would be our last day with 10 to 15 knot winds for a while. Beginning tomorrow and the next five days the winds are supposed to pick up to 15 to 20 knots. Rick had the tri-light to install at the top of the mast and a spinnaker halyard to put in place. I suggested to him that this would probably be the best day to do it unless we leave it for a week or more.
Trusting sole that he is, he believed me. As I held the safety line he headed for the top of the mast. The winds had to be at least 15 to 20 maybe gusting 25+ knots, so much for the forecast. It didn’t take him long up there before he indicated to me that he wanted to come down. As I brought him down he seemed anxious for me to do it quickly. Ah ha! The minute he stepped foot on the deck, the heavens opened up! Well done.
We both hurried into the cockpit to wait for the rain to pass and then he tidied the lines, zipped the main sail cover and put the sun awning back up.
The rest of the day was a continuation of yesterday’s puttering but at least the sky cleared and we had a pleasant afternoon.
Shortly after our swim, we watched the Amelia (Carriacou’s large service ferry from Grenada, bringing supplies and the mail) arrive at the jetty. It was almost like watching the Santa Claus sleigh land on a rooftop. Onboard the ferry should be two large barrels of goodies that we shipped from Canada. They are arriving in “bond” for customs so there was no sense in getting too excited because we have to wait until tomorrow when we can go to customs and clear them.
Another day passed and the dinghy was still hanging in the davits.
It was a nice evening with dinner in the cockpit with the newly installed cockpit light, and a gentle breeze until we headed for bed. Then the rain returned.
It was still raining off and on when we awoke in the morning but the forecast for the winds had changed and they were back to 10 to 15 knots for the next few days.
We took our time and had a nice breakfast before getting ready to go to town.
Our first stop was customs as we wanted to begin the process of getting our barrels cleared. We were too early, the bill of lading hadn’t arrived from the Amelia people. It should be there by 10AM.
No problem, we had time to do a little grocery shopping. We didn’t need much in the way of food and we were finished shopping a little after 10AM.
We obtained and paid the bill of lading and moved to the customs counter. There we were instructed to open our barrels and remove a few items so that the officer could have a look. That didn’t take long. Then we provided the officer with a list of the items which they summarized into three items to make life easy. Next step was to fill out the form and identify the three items as exempt from full duty as they were for a “yacht in transit”. Next step was to get a signature from the Custom broker. This would be simple except that there was no one in the office. The door was unlocked so we waited quite a while. Finally we returned to the customs officer (the Custom broker’s father) who called the broker and told him to come.
When all of the paper work was finished and the bills paid, I phoned Sherwin who was going to help us transport the barrels to the haul out. He arrived in no time. We stopped on our way out of town and picked up the groceries we had purchased.
In Harvey Vale we dropped Rick at the dinghy on the jetty with the groceries. Sherwin and I continued to the haul out.
We drove onto the dock and called for Slow, a friend who works at the haul out, to come and help us with the barrels. They got them off the truck just as Rick arrived with our large laundry bags which we used to carry all of the items from the barrel to the dinghy to the boat. The dinghy looked loaded down like Santa’s sleigh but it only took three trips. The final trip was the new anchor chain which had us riding pretty low in the water.
By the end of the day, everything was down below. The boat was again in chaos but since everything was new, it was fun.
Rick changed the gypsy on the electric windlass and we hoisted the new anchor chain aboard with ease.
We awoke with childhood excitement of playing with toys the day after Christmas. We had new cabin lights to install, new halyard to hoist, new skillets to cook with, fabric to sew, etc. and I think we have enough zip lock bags to last us at least four years.
Rick worked outside while I stowed items which we would work on later (my sewing).
The day went so quickly that before we knew it, it was time for a swim and to get ready to go ashore to our regular Friday night at the Lambi Queen.
A heavy squall went through but cleared in time for us to get ashore during daylight. We were looking forward to dinner, Rick wanted barbecued chicken dinner and I craved steamed lobster. The meals were excellent. A couple more strong squalls went through but it didn’t dampen the atmosphere at all. The band was great and the crowd was dancing to the beat.
It was after 10pm when we returned to the boat. The dinghy was raised and we were ready for bed when another strong squall went through. Perfect timing, all of this rain and not a drop on us.
We are in work mode. Rick was tackling one job after another. It was a very windy day with a squall passing through once in a while. The squalls didn’t last long. Projects were getting knocked off one by one and we still had time for a siesta and swim before dinner.
Rick installed a few more of the new cabin lights today and found a broken wire feeding one. We will tackle it later as a new wire will have to be fished behind the wall. We want to do the same in the head so both are now on the to-do list.
The winds were supposed to stay strong today but the seemed much lighter and the air was a comfortable temperature. The sun awning helps keep the cabin temperature down quite a bit, but it rattles in the high winds.
Ok the forecast was just a little off. The winds were definitely still strong. One by one squalls roared through the bay all night long. In the morning I asked Rick if he had taken the plug out of the dinghy when it was raised last night. He couldn’t remember but when he went out to check, I heard the water begin to flow from the dinghy drain and it seemed to go on forever. I think that most cisterns on island must be full or overflowing by now. No more rain dancing, please!
We worked on boat projects and went for our swim. Late in the afternoon, Sherwin came by for a visit. While he was onboard we watched Lady D (Denise’s new floating bar) start her engines. When we next looked Lady D seemed to be drifting through the anchorage.
Rick to the rescue.... He jumped into the dinghy and leaving both Sherwin and I on Wind-Borne, he raced to the scene. What he was going to do with the huge floating steel boat when he got there, I’m not sure.
Meanwhile Sherwin, as relaxed as ever, said that Lady D was fine and didn’t need to be rescued. Sure enough, when Rick returned he told us that they were changing the transmission fluid and talking to a friend whose boat it appeared was about to be T-Boned.
Later when Sherwin went to leave the outboard motor on his small boat wouldn’t stay running, so he called to Rick to come and rescue him. Rick raced to the rescue again.
It was dark when he returned so he decided to raise the dinghy into the davits. He has a regular routine for doing this and doesn’t need my help, so I continued preparing dinner down below.
Suddenly I heard “shit!” He called with a little panic in his voice for me to come quickly. He had slipped and was hanging on to the davit ropes dangling over the water. I was told to take his hearing aids out before he fell. I quickly ripped them out of his ears, set them safely in the cockpit and ran to the side to drop the ladder so Rick could climb aboard. When I returned to the stern of the boat he was still hanging there. When I told him to go ahead and get wet, the water was nice. He explained that the string of one of his pant legs was caught on the chalk and if he let go, he would hang upside down with his head under water. Oops, I hadn’t noticed that. I quickly ran below and returned with scissors to cut the string. He didn’t like those pants anyway. What did he say after that!!! “A true sailor would have used their knife not scissors”.
Enough rescues for one night. Rick had another shower and we were then able to enjoy dinner.
We have been invited to Roy and Susan’s house for the American
Thanksgiving this Thursday and I am taking appetizers so today we went into
town to buy the ingredients.
On our way to town we stopped at Carriasoap store which is fairly new (a couple of years) and carries items that are often not found on the island. There we found Christmas tree decorations which were just what our friend Fitzroy had asked for. We bought a few things and left them there to be picked up later.
In town we found everything we wanted and returned to Harvey Vale with Norbert and had him stop to pick up our items at Carriasoap on the way (love this island transit system).
I didn’t have to prepare dinner tonight as we were going to eat on Lady D. Denise prepared a nice chicken dinner for us and we had a pleasant evening talking with others who were having a night out as well.
Today was my day to cook and Rick’s day to fish some wire for a new light we brought for in the head.
As I was caramelizing a huge pile of onions I was thinking that in my kitchen back home I would be able to multi task so easily but here counter space is at a minimum so one thing at a time. The onions took forever but when they were done and put away, I made up some refrigerator bread dough, stored that and then assembled some wraps. Everything else will be assembled at Susan’s tomorrow.
It was time for a swim and shower. Sherwin arrived while Rick was still showering (naked in the cockpit) so Sherwin quickly said he would hustle boat to boat for dinner customers and return in a few minutes.
We had a nice visit with him while our dinner was baking in the oven.
We had a light breakfast and then prepared to go up to Susan and Roy’s
for the day.
Roy picked us up from the jetty at 11:30AM.
Susan had invited two other couples, Ellen and Jim from Boldly Go and Margaret and Bob, British friends of hers that live on the island.
It was a wonderful day and the food was great, there was just too much food.
Rick worked hard in the morning and finished the last of the wiring and installation of the new cabin lights.
In the afternoon we went for our regular swim.
Today it was my turn to take over the inside of the boat. Rick had a few errands and outside chores to do, so I pulled out my sewing machine and started a few projects I wanted to work on. First I pulled out our mattress from the forward bunk and after pulling apart one of the new fitted sheets I bought, I spread it across the mattress so I could refit it. Time like this, no boat is big enough. Eventually, I had it cut and pinned. It was time to sew.
I was able to finish the sewing in time for our afternoon swim but I left the elastic pinned so I could adjust it if necessary.
We had a nice swim, happy hour and dinner.
I’ll be glad when Rick’s E-Book Reader arrives because having to share mine is awkward when we both want to read at the same time.
It was Sunday, so before doing anything, we had our traditional poached eggs, bacon and toast in the cockpit.
We received a phone call from Sherwin before we had even lowered the dinghy. He was on his way to Saline Island with a day charter (in his power boat) and as he went by his sailboat he noticed a large black mark on the starboard side. He was quite concerned that maybe another boat had hit his during the night so asked if Rick would go over and check it out. We were to call him back. Well, we looked through the binoculars and called him back.
“Eewww, it sure looks like bird poop”, I told him. He said that birds can’t poop that much. I am sure that large Boobies can “Eewww”!
Meanwhile Rick lowered the dinghy and went to check it out closely. Sure enough, it was “Eewww, Booby poop”. Rick being a good guy even cleaned it off. Sherwin laughed when we called him back.
Rick worked on deck polishing stainless steel.
I finished sewing the fitted sheet, made a couple of top sheets and shortened the pillow cases from king size to standard.
While my machine and sewing supplies were still out, I cut and remade two liners and shower curtains for the bathtub.
That was it for today. The sewing equipment was all put away. We had a quick lunch before heading to the beach where, in the shade of the Machineel tree, I gave Rick his first Island haircut of the season.
We returned to the boat, had our swim, shower and happy hour.
Today is the official end of hurricane season. It is also the anniversary of our retirement. Officially we have been retired for ten years today.
Sherwin came by in a rush this morning. He had broken the frame of his glasses and had to pick up a day charter couple in less than 30 minutes. He needed some quick setting two part epoxy. Rick just happened to have some so a quick repair job was completed and he was on his way.
I gathered and sorted laundry and Rick took it ashore. I kept a small load of hand laundry that I started on while he was gone.
When he returned we removed the sun awning. The winds have shifted from the summer southeast direction to the winter east, northeast direction. This means that although it is still 30 degrees Celsius and higher, the breeze with the northerly component in it, is cooler. We no longer need the awning. As well the winds should pick up stronger later this week and it’s easier to remove the awning now.
Cigarette stopped by on his way back from fishing and brought us a large red speckled hind (my favourite). Rick cleaned and filleted the fish and I put it in the freezer because we both wanted to have dinner out tonight in celebration of our anniversary.
Rick returned to shore and picked up the clean laundry then we went for a nice swim. After sundowners in the cockpit we went to the Lazy Turtle for dinner. Chris Doyle arrived and we invited him to join us, so it was an interesting evening of conversation.
