Refugees and stolen RIBS

Nigelpickin said:
That’s your privilege and right - to agree - openly in public.

Sadly for some - the right to speak, write and behave freely does not come so easy. Enjoy your privilege and all the irony that comes with it - but may I suggest respectfully that these ‘immigrant’ threads are really more suited to the lounge.
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Agree it shoud be in the lounge.
Maybe you could do a sort of boaty test and try and get you and your boat into the USA illegally.....report back if your able to!
 
Can we keep this discussion of poor people and politics to somewhere more appropriate like scuttlebutt or the lounge please?
 
Flynnbarr said:
I thought I'd read that you lived in a private/gated? place in the cotswolds where you obviously don't get to see the results of illegal immigration.
My apologies if I'm completely wrong :)
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That's correct. It's very pleasant, you should try it. But no matter where I lived I hope that I wouldn't regard immigrants as vermin as some people seem to.
 
Flynnbarr said:
Agree it shoud be in the lounge.
Maybe you could do a sort of boaty test and try and get you and your boat into the USA illegally.....report back if your able to!
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With the Govenrment shut down it’s proving tricky to get through to the Customs guys at St Thomas, (we arrive in USVI on Thursday). At this rate I might have to just take a punt and trust that they can clear us in - of course they won’t deport me, I’m white, middle class with the good fortune to having been born in a country that enjoys visa privileges with the USA. I didn’t earn that right - I’m just lucky.
It has been thought provoking, travelling these Caribbean Islands - there are no indigenous Caribean - slavery and European diseases put pay to that. Our ancestors arrived here, on boats, paid for illegally through the raping of the ‘new world’. They had no Visa or invitation.
The wonderful folk whom we’ve met in the past couple of months are ancestors of slaves but the horrific history of their journey to become ‘Caribean’ does not seem to worn like a badge - they don’t seem to carry the burden of a grudge.
We’ve been welcomed by imigration in all of the islands, clearance is relatively simple, for us at least if not our dog Banjo :)
It’s the sense of total freedom of movement along with the generosity of spirit afforded by people who have every right to hate me for the sins of my fathers that is just humbling and making this part of our journey so much more than just a series of idyllic beaches and clear water.

Sailing by boat from the UK and one way or another travelling through three continents in a big lump of plastic has been the most emancipating experience of my life - and then I read threads like this and I feel sick to the stomache - guilt mainly I suppose - that I’m so lucky to have been in the right place at the right time and that my escape is one of pure indulgence and leisure unlike the ‘criminals’ who made use of the Underground Railway or cramped attic spaces in Amsterdam and the sad desperate humans trying to cross the Channel.

It’s true of course, its pointless trying change the mindset of a bigot, but I guess that makes me a Nihilist and perhaps that’s worse ;)
 
Nigelpickin said:
I’m so lucky to have been in the right place at the right time and that my escape is one of pure indulgence and leisure unlike the ‘criminals’ who made use of the Underground Railway or cramped attic spaces in Amsterdam and the sad desperate humans trying to cross the Channel.
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Hear hear! (with the caveat that it should be in the lounge :-) )

Many of my ancestors arrived here in utterly desperate need of sanctuary (those few that survived of course), and if we have no compassion we are not much better than those that drove them here.
 
Nigel,

You are comparing apples and pears..

You approaching an island in your plush cruiser stashed with cashed is hardly an unwelcoming sight to somewhere which is heavily reliant on beach sales of fish and rum cocktails.
I would imagine a boat rammed full of Syrians that was stolen from the neighbouring island with intention of setting up cheaper rum bars wouldn't have the same welcome.

Don't forget as sad as parts of the world are, there are many people who by no fault of their own were born on this island and need government support too. They wont consider themselves fortunate like you do.
I understand those who are struggling to get their own homes, healthcare, social funding - seeing numerous people gaining illegal access to the country having turned down France, Germany, Austria et al would be extremely frustrating.

Good luck on your trip and safe sailing - just in case you have forgotten the UK is dark, damp and miserable :cool:
 
Nigelpickin said:
We’ve been welcomed by imigration in all of the islands, clearance is relatively simple, for us at least if not our dog Banjo :)
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Nigel, Have you taken your dog with you? Travelling internationally with your dog on board would make some interesting reading, no doubt you will be experiencing some challenges.

A separate thread on that would be great, leave this one behind.
 
Richard.C said:
Nigel, Have you taken your dog with you? Travelling internationally with your dog on board would make some interesting reading, no doubt you will be experiencing some challenges.

A separate thread on that would be great, leave this one behind.
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Yes, 1 dog and 2 cats!

Travelling throughout Europe was a doddle - Cape Verde - easy - the Caribean a little challenging but it gives us something to do. We just cleared USA customs here in St Thomas and they weren’t interested in our disclosure re our pets - so no problem.

There is a lot of admin involved regardless - it’s worth it tho’ :)
 
petem said:
That's correct. It's very pleasant, you should try it. But no matter where I lived I hope that I wouldn't regard immigrants as vermin as some people seem to.
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You are Lilly Allen and I claim my prize :D
 
Nigelpickin said:
Yes, 1 dog and 2 cats!

Travelling throughout Europe was a doddle - Cape Verde - easy - the Caribean a little challenging but it gives us something to do. We just cleared USA customs here in St Thomas and they weren’t interested in our disclosure re our pets - so no problem.

There is a lot of admin involved regardless - it’s worth it tho’ :)
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Oh wow, I wouldn't have dreamt it was really feasible to do. We're picking up a new puppy at the end of the month, all I need now is a lottery win so I can get a nice big Nordhaven!!!!!!
 
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