Canal Entertainment

Another bright, hot, sunny day in paradise. Our mission this morning was to launch, test drive and then store the 13 foot Boston whaler for the summer (what could be easier?)

The outboard motor on this boat has been unsuccessfully repaired no fewer than 5 times in the past - but this time they (whoever they are) swear it will work: they recently test drove it!

We launch the boat and with fingers crossed start the motor - with a collective sigh of relief it actually starts! Unfortunately, (who among you thought this would be a straight forward mission?) not only does it idle really rough but at least twice as fast as it should, not to mention that when shifted into gear there is a very loud clunking sound (I’m sure that shouldn’t happen).

So there we are floating aimlessly around in the canal with an outboard motor that refuses to believe that it has been successfully repaired! Miraculously, (well this is the Bahamas!) when the repair depot is called they send someone out right away, well almost right away, well he came reasonably quickly, well, ok, he took his time but eventually arrived on the scene. By this time I’m back on dry land, had enough sitting in small boats these past 2 days, even with the aid of my trusty umbrella! With the motor still running, the mechanic climbs on board together with screwdriver in hand; he takes the cover half off and hits something by mistake! Next thing you know the boat zooms forward, the mechanic flies backwards, and after completing a triple somersault (with pike) he lands fair and square in the waters of the canal. Apparently it’s difficult to swim with a screwdriver, blackberry, cell phone and engine cover in ones hands and he flounders around quite a bit, thought he just might drown!

The boat has now been returned to the shop for the sixth time in the hope that maybe, just maybe they’ll get it right this time. When we got home I was so hot and my head was hurting so much I just walked right into the swimming pool wearing my dress, sandels and hat. Stayed there for what seemed like an eternity, climbing out for just a minute to fetch a carton of ice cream. This is one of the more decadent things I’ve ever done – eating ice cream straight from the carton while floating fully dressed in a Bahamian swimming pool: the only thing missing was my trusty umbrella! Pity there's no pictures.