Michelle, the police want to talk with you.

This was the absolutely last thing I was expecting early on the first morning, June 1, after arriving in Horta, Azores. I was sitting on board enjoying my coffee and reading the New York Times when I noticed the marina manager walking across the two boats that we were rafted up to along the wharf. As he was stepping onto our boat, I headed to the cockpit to intercept him before he knocked on the boat so as not to wake the others on board.  In his broken English, he told me that the police were on the wharf and needed to talk with Michelle. My mind was racing, police? The marina manager could see my confusion so continued that she had lost a lot of money and others things.  

A bit of back story is needed. We arrived in Horta in the afternoon the day before, May 31, 2023 after 14 days of sailing from Bermuda. We had been pushing hard for days to arrive on May 31 so that we could celebrate Michelle's birthday at Peter Cafe Sport, the famous watering hole in Horta where all of the sailors from around the world meet and swap stories of their sailing adventures. Note, we have two aboard Sea Dog, with similar names,  Michele Vivas and Michelle Derible, also know as one elle and two elle or tall Michele and short Michelle.

The story continues, starring Michelle with two elles. Along with pushing hard for a May 31 landfall, we had all been talking and dreaming about our first gin and tonic (for which Peter Cafe Sport is known for). Now, all aboard Sea Dog are known to enjoy a wee tipple now and again.  As responsible sailors, on an offshore passage we all agreed that Sea Dog would be a dry boat. We do so that in case of  an emergency or other mishap we would all have our wits about us and be able to handle any situation that the mighty gods of the sea and winds might throw at us (of which they did).

The birthday celebrations started on the back of Norm the Storm, a large catamaran from Canada, also part of the Arc Europe 2023 flotilla.  I meanwhile, as Skipper, was holed up in the marina office checking in, followed by immigration and customs, so I missed a good hour plus of the early celebrations. I joined the crew as we moved onto Peter Cafe Sport. The first gin and tonic was heavenly, the second was just as good. The party moved onto a restaurant in town, Canto de Doca, that was hosting the early Arc arrivals for a dinner. As Michelle and Keith entered the restaurant, everyone there broke into song, a rousing version of Happy Birthday. It was special! The specialty of the house was a selection of thinly slice meats and fish that you cook yourself at the table on a super heated slab of volcanic stone. Included with this unique dining experience, were flowing bottles of  red Azorean wine. Michele and I were tired, so we called it an early night and headed off to Sea Dog for a restful night of sleep, the first in 14 days,  in which the boat was not bouncing or rolling and one did not need to wake every four hours for a watch.

Michelle and Keith had booked a hotel room for the first couple of nights in Horta, as a birthday treat, so they could relax in comfort after the long passage. I should have known something was awry when I woke early the next morning, expecting the boat to be empty and found Michelle sound asleep in the Pullman berth and Keith wedged into the V berth among various sails and assorted gear.

After my conversation with the marina manager, I went below to wake Michelle. I nudged her gently and as she woke, as casually as I could, said "Michelle, the police want to talk with you". It took a moment or two for those words to sink in. It seems that she and Keith along with a group of others from the rally had closed down the restaurant trading shots with Normand (Norm the Storm) from Quebec among others. It was late, they were tipsy and could not or were not up to finding their hotel room so found their way back to Sea Dog for the night. Now I am pretty sure that Michelle and Keith were sporting a decent hangover from the late night celebrations, but it is funny how fast it can sober one up when you are told the police want to talk with you. Michelle quickly threw on some clothes and headed up to speak with the police.

It turns out, Michelle and Keith were carrying a couple of bags, with the intent to go to their hotel after dinner. When it was time to pay, Michelle opened one of the bags to retrieve her wallet to pay,  was somehow distracted, perhaps by another round of shots, I can only speculate. Michelle is having a hard time remembering the exact sequence of events, shots can have that effect on you, been there, done that! All that can be surmised is that one of the bags was inadvertently left behind that contained her wallet, id and various other items for a night at the hotel.  A good Samaritan found her bag and delivered it to the local police, that kindly waited until the next morning to work with the marina manager in locating Michelle upon Sea Dog. 

Alls well that ends well. The bag contained all of their money, cards and other gear. They found their hotel the next night and stayed for several nights as Michele and I worked to air/dry out Sea Dog after her gallant voyage across the North Atlantic delivering us and our crew safely to the shores of the Azores.