We were planning on a day off or taking the bus to Calibishie today but Ormond calls early and says they will come to us. We have to go he says. No problem, we agree to meet near the bus stop.
Ormond’s clutch is still giving him troubles so we drive first to Roseau where after some wayfinding we find his mechanic in the place where all mechanics go to die. It is a large lot with a bunch of guys working in grease and oil and doing everything car-fixing wise. His mechanic makes some clutch adjustments and with great care we back out of the tight spaces of the garage.
Back on the road on the north side of Roseau, we visit Ormond’s old house which is now a derelict and then drop in on his friend Brian Bruny who just lives around the corner. The view from Brian’s place is spectacular, sneaks up on you as you are in a residential neighbourhood and not really expecting to come across this view in someone’s back yard. We chat amiably then Ormond promises to come back for 5:00 pm drinks.
We head into the craziness that is central Roseau, made crazier by the cruise ship that is here. The ladies find an IGA and we get some stuff, including some wine for Wednesday.
Ormond heads uphill into the forest again. We’re driving around, get a bit lost, not really sure where we’re going. It’s noonish, I am hungry, assuming everyone else is too and thinking we’re looking for a restaurant.
Nope, we’re looking for Screw’s Sulfur Spa. We eventually find it. It’s a pretty amazing place although apparently a shadow of its former, pre-hurricane self. Looking at old Internet photos you can tell that. Still, it’s great: hot, hot baths, some cool river washes and a cold river pool. We stay about an hour and all get thoroughly “spa’ed”, departing just as a tour is arriving.
Head back down to Roseau where Ormond and Ruth make a chocolate dropoff and we pick up some beers to take to Brian’s.
We fight the traffic up to Brian’s, arriving right around 5 pm. The 3 or 4 other friends Ormond were hoping to meet have either just left or are not coming so a bit disappointing for him. We do meet “Senator” – his real name is Dave but was a long time Senator in Antigua. Turns out Ormond is not his biggest fan after some potentially shady deals on Ormond’s family side. Also there is Brian’s girlfriend and her brother who Ormond openly detests (but not in front of Brian). They think she is a gold digger and by the sounds of it, probably is. We don’t stay long. Brian is a great guy, hope to see him again. Brian is an excellent sailboat mechanic and worked on huge racing boats in the US at one time. He is thrilled when we ask if he’d like to come sailing with us one day… we would love to have him give us pointers!
We fight Roseau Rush Hour traffic out of town and eventually find ourselves back on the highway to Portsmouth. Someone finally mentions food which is good because I am about to chew my arm off. We stop for a very good Club sandwich and fries on the way at a cute little hotel/restaurant right on the beach near Salisbury? Not sure, can’t remember the bay and can’t find it on maps.
Another half hour or so gets us to Portsmouth where Ormond drops us at the intersection and we walk back to Milu. We’re almost at the pier when my phone rings on WhatsApp. It’s Ormond, he stopped for gas where he dropped us – turns out the place only takes cash and he has none! Can I lend him EC$100? I jog back and give him the C note and we have a few laughs. Jog back to Christy and we board our somewhat banged up dinghy, ride out to Milu and head off to bed.