Year 3 -5 June 2026 – Grand Baie- Mauritius
It was another lovely morning when we woke and the sky was blue and all was calm. We had mango and granola and yoghurt for breakfast. Hisham Taha, new crew member, was arriving today so we needed to prepare for his arrival.
I had been trying to work out who would sleep where and had decided that Hisham, as he was the first would go in the matrimonial suite so I got that all ready. I also felt that I would need to share my cabin so I would rather do so with someone I knew and had shared with before. We tidied and cleaned the boat. I mopped the floors and did the mats. The ladies sorted out the galley.
I had to send more emails to Reunion again to ensure they got the documents and I got confirmation that the marina had all they needed and where we were to moor. I had not heard from Immigration so will need to follow up on that.
The steps we put on the side needed some more leather on the top rungs so I found some and Carolyne prepared some bits to resow on to it. I sorted out the lazarette lockers and Carolyne whipped another rope.
We were ready to leave about 12.30pm having charged the batteries. Hisham had messaged to say he had landed and was going to get the car he was hiring.
We decided to have a little dinghy tour of the bay and to go and see if we could find the Beach House where we had dinner last night. We toured around and found where the Beach House was and did a circuit. We then moored at the fuel dock and I went to see the membership lady and she had prepared a membership card for me. We were now members for the week so we can park Hisham’s car and we can pay member prices for food and drink which I think will more than pay for the price of a week’s membership.
We sat down for lunch on the lovely terrace and enjoyed it whilst waiting for Hisham. He eventually arrived at the club and we parked the car and we had a quick drink whilst I introduced him to Carolyn and Joyce.
We had a good initial chat and then headed back to Stormbird where we welcomed Hisham to Stormbird. He unpacked in his new surroundings and then he kindly gave us some early grey tea bags and marmite which he had brought out with him.
As the sun was going down we had a sundowner on the aft deck and we continued to chat. Hisham has been a UN man most of his career and had worked in Sudan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia and Kenya to name a few he mentioned. We will no doubt learn a lot more over time.
Carolyn kindly prepared a chicken curry with aubergine etc which we had with rice and pak choy. We had a good supper in the cockpit chatting away and getting to know each other.
We plan to go off in the car tomorrow to explore.
The picture of the day is Hisham and I on the aft deck.
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