Year 3 -24 May 2026 – Cataract Day-Port Louis- Mauritius
I woke at 3.08am and dozed until the alarm went at 03.35am and then I rang Rashid. He was already up and said he was on his way. I got dressed having arranged my clothes the night before together with my passport and book. Rashid was there to pick me up about 3.55am and we were off to Clinic Du Nord.
We arrived at about 04.15am and they were waiting for me. I was led to a floor and my blood pressure, pulse and blood sugar levels were tested. They led me to a bed where I had to put on a gown. They put in a cannula in my right hand and some sensors inside each wrist and left leg. Thy put a patch on my right eye and every 10 minutes they came and put drops in to dilate the pupil.
Other patients gradually began to come in and to go through the same tests.
I was led by wheelchair to have another electronic eye test and then taken back to bed until they were ready for me. The surgeon said hello in the corridor and I asked him what lens is being out in. He said a German Zeiss lens- a good one he said. I waited and then I was wheeled into the operating theatre and laid down on the table. They put a pulse sensor on my finger, and wires on the sensors on my wrist and leg. The anaesthetist asked me a few questions and then they injected something in the cannula and I was ready. The surgeon pulled a light over my face and over my right eye. I could see 3 metal type probes and light and the odd thing going about my eye but I could not feel anything or see much.
It was finished in about 5-10 minutes and I got off the table and was wheeled back to the bed. They had put a different dressing and a hard plastic cover on my eye. I was given a strong cup of tea and a plastic cheese sandwich. You would have thought for a private hospital they could have dine better. As I only had had water that morning it was acceptable.
The surgeon came round and said it had gone very well and explained the after care. I was to keep the patch on until Wednesday morning and to protect it from pollution and the light and to wear sunglasses. I was to rest for a couple of days. Then I had certain drops to put in 6 times a day for the first week, 4 times a day for the second, 3 for the third, 2 for the fourth and 1 for the 5th. I also had one drop twice a day of another drop for a month. I had to come to see him on Monday week. I was then free to go. It was done and I hope to make a speedy recovery.
I rang Rashid who said he would come back and went to make payment. By the time I had done so Rashid was there and we went back to Stormbird arriving back about 9.00am. I had some breakfast and coffee and the girls looked after me. I felt sleepy so went back to bed. I could only sleep on my left side and back and not on my right side.
I spent the rest of the day resting on and off and sitting in the cockpit. I could feel the eye lashes of my eye touching the dressing inside which was a little annoying but I was not in pain. I could tell my left eye was straining a bit as it was on its own therefore minimised reading etc.
By 4.00pm I felt like some air and so Joyce and I went off for an ice cream as Carolyn and Erika had gone for a walk. I tried to wear sunglasses but they did not fit easily over the plastic protector. I also tried to protect the eye from the wind. It was not far so it was fine and the ice cream was good.
The ladies cooked supper on board and kindly looked after me. We had duck breasts with pak choy and beans which was nice. I was ready for bed after and had an early night ready to start the drop routine in the morning. I had messaged family and friends and had the usual jokes about being a pirate etc !! I just now need to find a parrot!!
The picture of the day is me with my eye patch.
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