The Twin Dolphin Marina

Hatty and Al had recommended a popular marina in Bradenton called Twin Dolphin which we used as a base while Nanna was with us. But first we needed to collect her from Miami International which was on the east coast and a good 5 hours away. We departed at midnight in order to be there at 6 to collect her and it was surreal experience traveling down the interstate with Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ playing. We were jolted back to reality when we had to negotiate rush hour traffic and find the airport. It took Nanna longer than expected to clear customs, as an explanation was needed for all the boxes of Rooibos tea we had asked her to bring for us. It was fantastic to see her and our excitement doubled when my cousin Bobby walked through having unexpectedly joined.

Independence Day

Our arrival at the Twin Dolphin was fortuitous. When we entered the marina we were greeted by unknown South Africans overjoyed to see our flag. They came down to the jetty and took our mooring lines, and it wasn’t long before we established that they were contracted to extend the floating marina and Doug had procured a much needed job with them.

Doug hard at work.

Nanna and Bobby spent a relaxed 6 weeks with us and it was lovely to have a connection to home again. We took a week out and sailed down to Sanubel island and Ockachobee south of Tampa Bay on the west coast of Florida, with the excitement of opening bridges and mosquito watches. On our return we enrolled Dylan and Katie in Jessie P. Miller Elementary for a bit of normality and social life and settled into our new routine, complete with new friends, new public holidays to celebrate (Halloween and 4^th of July), weeks and weekends. Mum to this day will not watch fireworks because she was so enthralled by the spectacular Independence Day display we witnessed from Finesse that she wants nothing to taint the memory!

Jessie P. Miller Elementary

Shortly after they left I approached the Twin Dolphin restaurant for a job and was lucky enough to be taken on as the hostess, which proved particularly convenient as we now both had jobs right on the marina. Not long after Doug started on the dock work some of the floating elements of the dock were stolen and Doug saw the opportunity to move on to the new, partially completed marina as ‘security guard’, and as such got a free mooring. From  being cash strapped, we went to having two jobs and free accommodation. After a couple of months at the restaurant, the manager resigned, and the new manager was not prepared to employ me without a work permit.  Lucky once again, Ritchie who operated a boat canvas business from Anna Maria island was looking for help to get very overdue canvas work done, and in a very casual way enlisted my help.  It didn’t take long to work out the problem – Ritchie operated in a haze of weed and spent hours chilling on the beach, while I laboured at the industrial machine.  He had no concept of deadlines, and really didn’t care how people hopped up and down.  But he was such a likeable character who the yachties wanted to support, so the work rolled in and I had a job again!

We met fabulous people, especially Libby and Mike Jocelyn and their 4 year old son Zac, and we helped to refit their boat ‘Dilligad’ (Do I Look Like I Give A Damn). Dylan and Kate spent many hours playing with Zac, which they welcomed. They operated a property management company in the ski town of Breckenridge, Colorado and offered us two weeks accommodation as a gesture of appreciation. Still in contact with them many years later, Dylan and Kate were fortunate enough to work a ski season for them and improve their skills on the slopes.

Libby, Mike and Zac

We also bought ourselves a virtually brand new Jeep Cheroke, still the most fabulous car we have ever owned, for $3800 (at that time R28 000). What a bargain!

– Val

Captions to be added to at a later stage.

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