We received a bill from the owners of Barbara for £5000+ ten days ago. This was for the purchase of extra lifesaving equipment for the voyage as well as for harbour due and demurrage in Valetta. Try finding demurrage in the shorter dictionaries! Anyway this blow was softened with the negotiation of a final settlement for £3000 with the kind help of Steve Gillie, the shipping broker in Newcastle. This was on the understanding that we settled immediately. Incidentally we hope to meet Steve when I/we attend a meeting of the Senior Fellows Society of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in Newcastle in November.
