The roots of Love

- Hey, Rosemary, I am bit tired
- Of what?
= I am a bit tired of staying here, you kow, you just arrived but I am here sicen December.
- You mean December 2008? That's almost one year ago.
- Exactly. I grew up in South Africa, in a garden of a beautiful farm on the Red Hill, on the Cape of Good Hope.
- Wow, it sounds amazing.
- It was. I had a really nice time there, since Michelle got me and took me on board. But honestly I always dreamt of travelling and so... I am happy here. You know, we are plants, we are meant to have roots digget into the ground, PLANTED...
But in these vase we can travel.
= It's true, but I am a bit homesick.
- I understand... where were you living?
- Just on the other side of the hill in a little garden in front of the house of Deni.
- oh, here they will take care of us. Michelle and then Juju, they gave me so much love. And now Gilson and this Italian guy, what is name... Dario...they give us all we need.
- You mean water? No, not only.. They came here, they talk to us... they give attention, care. If it doens't rain, they give us water.... not like the other 2, so abstemious,,,-
- Who do you mean?
- Cactus and Cactus. Haven't met them?
-no
- Of course, they are always in Nemo,,, Anyway. soon we will move on. I heard they wonna go to Puerto Rico and then to the other side of the big Ocean.
- Isn't it scary?
- No, not scary. You need to get used?
= Seasickness you mean?
- No. I wasn't seasick... I am talking about the blue, the movement... With Alohe Vera and Onion we had great fun but aslo some hard times. You know... you need to watch out from the water... it's like fire
- Water like fire? What do you mean?
- Sea water... you cannot drink it. It will kill you
- Wow... i didn;t know...
- Yeah... but if it's to rough they will protect us.
- Who?
- These guys... You know what... I feel like going for a walk. I need to stretch my roots. Wonna come?
- no. I am ok here...
- Hey don't worry. If you will make it to the other side you will meet a lot of Rosemary and basil... Its' full on the Mediterranean Sea.
- you know so many things...
That's how it is staying here, Many people coming on board and they sit righ here, where this table is to talk and laugh. It is good fun... Ok, i go now...

And the first root moved on...



Photo and text by Dario Sorgato

Five escaped to Scotland Bay

Heraclitus left Chaguaramas anchorage yesterday morning during a strong blow from the south and is now anchored in tranquil scotland bay just 2 miles further west.
Although we had intended to leave and fortunately had prepared the ship to raise anchor, it turned out to be a rather exciting escape for us.
Huge dark clouds approached from the south and the weather hit with strong gusts, heavy rain and big swells. Our deck tarps were down already, the deck ship shaped, portholes and hatches closed and main engine running.
3 yachts in close vicinity started dragging and all others were swinging wildly on their moorings. We were dropping big fenders over the portside and smiled at the indonesian crew of our neighbouring fishing trawler which at times seemed to get close enough to shake hands..
No more time to wait for the weather to settle down so we raised our anchor from the rocky sea floor and started to motor through the very crowded anchorage of Chaguaramas towards the west in a heavy squall.
During all of this a cardboard box, home to about 1000 bees that had landed the night before on board RVH went flying over the deck and Dario almost broke his fingers when slipping down the command room ladder while having his hands caught in the deck hatch. The mad tidal currents that were strongest right when we had to move did not help.
We reached Scotland bay after about 45 minutes and managed to drop the hook well and fast to claim our territory, just before another smaller yacht that was also desperately trying to re anchor ...
Dario is fine, the anchor dug in well (Eddie and Captain Claus were diving on it this morning), instead of power boat engines ,sandblasting and other industrial machinery, we are now listening to parrots, monkeys and wind caressing the forest or just sublime silence.