Year 3 -1 June 2026 -Port Louis- Mauritius
I did not have to have an alarm today as the 6.00am drop was no longer required. I am now on to 4 drops a day and go to see the surgeon this evening. We had agreed to go early to do some provisioning and so we had a cup of tea and headed off to the supermarket at about 8.15am before breakfast. It was not too busy and we got all we could with the exception of fruit and vegetables. With rucksacks on our back and bags in our hands we carried it all back to Stormbird.
I replaced the nets Joyce had washed in the galley and put them up. We packed everything away and had a reward for breakfast of banana pancakes which were great. After a cup of coffee Carolyn and I went off to the large fruit and veg market to stock up on all our fruit and veg. We only need to get enough for a week as we can provision in Grand Baie before we leave and our trip to Reunion is only 24 hours, if that.
Markets are always fun as they are busy buzzy places where your senses are challenged. There is first the colours of various fruit and vegetables from the bright red of tomatoes, the purples of aubergine and dragon fruit, oranges of carrots, oranges and satsumas and then the various greens of lettuces, melons, cucumbers, courgettes and herbs and yellows of lemons and melons and mangoes. Then there is the smell- the waft of coriander is unmistakeable and masks the earthly smells of potatoes and root vegetables. There is the touch and taste when they give you a sample of their fruit and it always seems to me (but it depends on the market) that they often display their fruit in a far better and more interesting way than supermarkets. It is also more fun to try various stalls etc.
We walked around and saw what we thought was best and went to various stalls to buy and within about 30 minutes had bagsful of a variety of fruit and vegetables and it was then back to Stormbird to pack everything away and soon the nets and bowls were full and it felt like home again! Another good job done.
We had lunch and then I went into the engine room and cleaned up a bit and checked everything as when we leave tomorrow we are not going to be in a marina until Reunion. I then set about checking the anchorage we are likely to go to tomorrow and noticed the entrance over the reef into Grand Baie is quite shallow – 2.6m in places. I do not recall seeing markers when I was up there but I planned what I thought would be the best route. Once you are in the bay there is a large area of 5-6m in sand which is good for anchoring. It will be good assuming I get the all clear to move on out of this waterfront. It has served a good purpose.
We then had a rest and Carolyn went off for a massage. I waited to be collected by Rashid and he brought the washing back at 5.00pm when he collected me.
We went back to the centre where I first met the surgeon and there was a bit of a queue. He examined me and did eye tests and was very pleased with the results and so was I. He explained that whilst all looks good it takes time to heal and that I must keep taking the drops. I asked about swimming and he said no for a month after the operation. The success of the operation was good news and I was very grateful to him.
Rashid got lost on the way back and we ended going through a dodgy village) perhaps St Michael – the no go village. Rashid stopped someone to ask directions and the man was stoned out of his head and could hardly talk or stand. There were lots of people about with dogs, some weeing in the street and you could tell it was not really a place to be in the dark.
Eventually he recognised a sign and the route back. We had noticed his driving was not good at night and he was struggling to see properly. I asked him about this and whether he had glasses. He said he had and they were in the car. I suggested he put them on and he said he did not like them. He asked me whether I was concerned and I said yes and he said his daughters and son had suggested he do not drive at night. I could see why. I can see that as he lives on his own the car is his freedom and what would he do if this was taken away.
I did get back safely and in one piece and I thanked him.
The ladies had organised supper for me which was nice and I enjoyed it with a welcome beer.
We will move on tomorrow. High Water in Grand Baie is at about 2.00pm so a 10,00am type start is probably fine as it will take a few hours to get there.
The picture of the day (as I did not take any today) is of the ladies in Rodrigues.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
I am now in Mauritius and will be going to Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.
I have now found additional crew for Mauritius to Durban. There may be space from Durban to Cape Town from about the beginning of July and we should arrive in Cape Town on about 25-30 July 2026. If at all interested contact me on my email below or WhatsApp +44 7931360372.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com