Boat Bites III (attack of the carnivores)

I don’t know how long, for months, a plan has been rattling around between the Captain of Velella and myself of roasting a leg of lamb.  After many conversations at the Tiki Bar and numerous ‘false starts’, we finally got serious and made the plans final and binding.  Not wanting to be involved in a conspiratorial faux pas of the marina, punishable by lashes of the tongue, as well as wanting the extra push of inspiration and motivation, we decided to enlist the help and guidance of Pirate King, Bill.  He volunteered to supply the rum and drink and wisely advised the mileage to be gained by inviting the wenches and added our relatively new pal, Martin to the entourage.

Now the wheels were in motion, much like a runaway train.  No more false starts.  Battle plans were drawn.  Logistics and support all worked out.  Today at 1500 zulu, 1100hrs, 11:00am, 6 bells in the morning watch, I crossed enemy lines, low crawled past the sentries, and made my rendezvous with Lenny who met me with his tank (Lincoln Towncar).  Off we headed for Publix like a stampeding herd of turtles.

It might be time to mention that Lenny is not a teeny little non-noticeable guy, being close to the same size as me.  We walked into Publix looking like two giant Ogres seeking human victims to feed upon.  Grabbing a grocery cart, we began our shopping spree, looking quite out of place performing such a domestic function that we drew lots of stares, but no comments from the normal dirt dwellers also haunting the aisles.  In short order we had gathered the makings for our feast.  The PETA people need to go ahead and log off now, for us, PETA stands for ‘People Eating Tasty Animals’.  The meat manager told us that we were purchasing two legs of lamb, but they looked suspiciously like dog.  No matter to us, we were salivating in anticipation as we left the supermarket.

Then it was back to the marina where Lenny began his masterful preparation of the feast and I assisted him with the pre-drinking phase of the operation.

Just when I thought that we might be in trouble, Bill showed up with a wagon and cooler full of drinks and ice, followed closely by Lenny’s wench Marietta, Bills wench Earlene, and Marty who couldn’t trick his wench into coming.  After hors d’oeuvre of little bourbon marinated hot dogs, cheese and crackers, and a salad, all prepared fresh from scratch by Lenny, we lit up the grill and watched while he created a gourmet feast of lamb, baked vegetables, and Lenny’s own garlic bread.  A better feed I cannot remember.

Without slighting Lenny’s culinary genius, what really made the night such a pleasure was the warm camaraderie of bright, entertaining friends with interesting and colorful stories to share.  As the ladies retired, and the rum flowed, the stories ranged on toward the midnight hour.

It was with regret that we succumb to the ravages of age, time, and alcohol while trudging the docks back to our own boats and empty bunks.  I for one am hoping that last night is an event that we will be able to repeat many times.  For now, fair winds and following seas.    Nat

Filed Under: Nat's slip

Tags: boat • gatherings