N 24=B042.37 W 81=B005.63

Life goes on in Marathon. Actually I wanted to pass on this somewhat
bizzare or unusual happening that took place this week. It all started
with the boat "Imagine" calling on our morning net requesting help with
a Honda outboard that would not idle. The morning net is a daily event
on channel 68 where we communicate and pass along items of interest
between the 200 or so boats that winter here in the harbor. After a
little hesitation, I answered his call and later that morning went to
"Imagine". There I met Bob and Ute a really nice couple from Ontario
Canada. I checked out his motor and as expected informed him that he had
a carburator problem. After a morning of coffee and small talk he said
he would get the gaskets for the carb and we agreed to meet thte next
day for breakfast and a carb workover. I arrived in time for a great
breakfast and coffee on tuesday and worked my magic with the carb. After
installing and tweaking the carb it run like a top. (You expected
anything different). I declined payment offering that the breakfast and
coffee was payment enough. As it turned out Bob is a Yanmar distributor
in Canada and offered to get me any parts I might need at his cost.While
there I mentioned that ERIC STONE was going to be playing at Burdines, a
local Tiki Bar, on wednesday and invited them to join me and some other
friends there. They said great and would see me there.

That day before John and Grace from "Francis" had found my boat while
driving through the harbor and left a note that they were in Marathon
and wanted to get together. John and Grace are the Canadian couple that
I met in SC and had spent Thanksgiving with in Jekkel Island, GA. John
later told me that when they came by the boat he called "kitty, kitty"
several times looking for Ruby. When he got no response he called for
"Ruby" and they said she came right up and gave them her usual warm
welcome.

Anyway we went to Burdines where we met up with Bob and Ute and proceed
to eat and drink and watch the sunset. (Life is rough in the islands)
Here is where it got interesting. While having an idle conversation,
Ute mentioned that her sister had asked her to look out for some very
dear friends of her hers who were on a boat somewhere in Florida.
(Everyone joked about how what an easy thing that would be to do, with
the many thousands of boats in Florida). When Ute mentioned her sisters
name John and Grace looked at each other and said "no way". You guessed
it, John and Grace were the friends her sister was talking about.

Now figure the chances of this all coming together. I met John and Grace
in SC and we became friends. I respond to a call for help with a motor
problem and meet Bob and Ute. John and Grace and I agreed to meet at
Burdines for a drink and listen to Eric Stone. I invite Bob and Ute to
meet us there for the same reason. It turns out that Bob and Ute are
looking for John and Grace. Anyway Eric was great, the food was great
and we had a great time.

When the opportunity has arisen I have helped many people with
mechanical problems that were within my ability to repair and have
always refused payment, taking instead offers of dinner or like favors
for something they could do for me. I have gained so much and benefited
far more than all the monetary payments in the world.

Check out our Bay Map charting our position and updated pictures on
http://liveaboardsvpapillon.homestead.com/Chartourcourse.html

"Goin where the weather suits my clothes"
Capt Jon & Ruby