Hello!
Well, another month has gone by... and guess what? We've been here for 12 of them now. For those who have trouble adding, that equtes to a year! How time flies when you're having fun (or as one of the tourist T-shirts here say "Time Flies When You're having Rum!") which could be close to the mark as well at times. 22 May 07 we arrived here. And despite all of the confusion, frustration, waiting, swearing, stomping, yelling and screaming, we've had a pretty good time to date. Rather than re-hash it here or do a highlights package, you can do it yourself by going to the very first Blog (yep, wayyyyy down to the bottom) and then scroll quickly up, stopping at those bits that appeal. There. You'll have your very own personalised highlights package of our last 12 months.
And now to this months action packed edition. Plenty happened in May, generally Nautically related, but we won't spoil it for you now, you can read on at your own liesurely pace and find out for yourself. It's only an hour or so until lunchtime, so read slowly!
Boats
It’s been a boating month for us this month. Friends of ours have a boat and are keen to go out for a day now and then exploring the outer islands around the neighborhood. We’ve done quite a bit lately, as you will see below.
On Boats
Boats
It’s been a boating month for us this month. Friends of ours have a boat and are keen to go out for a day now and then exploring the outer islands around the neighborhood. We’ve done quite a bit lately, as you will see below.
On Boats
One Saturday day we all went out on our friend's boat and popped over to Peter island for lunch at a new resturant called Ocean’s 7. Very nice setting overlooking the water and the boats. Following that we all went for a snorkel and a then got the biscuit out to take the kids (and the big kids) out for a drag. Heaps of fun!
Another day (a week day this time) Dave went out Dead Man’s Chest (another part of Peter island) for lunch. The resturant had built a little gazebo on the beach that they had their table in and lunch and drinks were served there. Very nice spot indeed! Dave said the Smoked Salmon Pizza was just the best! They were too full to do any skiing after that and were running out of time so raced back to Tortola just in time to pick up the kids from school.
Just had lunch at Ocean's 7
More water pics:
Michelle on Mystique
Michelle went off for a day sale on a chartered cat called Mystique, around Jost van Dyke with some friends a couple of sundays ago.
A 9.30am start, which, in usual BVI form, was 10.30-11am - and off to a really tiny island off Jost Van Dyke called Sandy Spit - you can walk around it in about 3 minutes. Most of the guys had drinks in hand as soon as they arrived - Michelle who was not so well trained held off for a while, scared that she'd miss all the fun if she started too early! They did a bit of swimming, lounging in the water, and snorkelling. The snorkelling wasn't that exciting until Michelle found a massive Jack swimming in the shallows - looked about 3-4 feet long and wasn't at all perturbed at being followed. Then back at the cat a baracuda hung around underneath freaking out a few of the unsuspecting swimmers. After a couple of hours it was off to Foxy's for lunch (Michelle had taken her own picnic lunch so scoffed that and wandered around while waiting for everyone else to finish!). Then there was a bit of a trek off to the bubbly pools - Michelle was expecting something like a natural spa but it turned out to be a small pool that was fed by the waves from time to time - rather disappointing initally but when a decent wave smashed in it was very entertaining. Michelle took a heap of photos waiting for the perfect wave but never got it! Then they wandered back to the boat and went around to White Bay and the Soggy dollar - and met up with Dave & the kids. It was a very pleasant day!
Starting off on Mystique
Sandy Spit
Having a Beer at the Bubbling Baths
Sandy Cay, Soggy Dollar, & Willy T
While Michelle was living the high life aboard Mystique, Dave and the kids went out on our friend's boat which just happened to be going to the same area. They went to Sandy Cay (which is an island off JvD, and is a little bigger than Sandy Spit). After a couple of circuits on the skis in some rather bumby water, they had lunch there on the beach where some other friends had brought a BBQ. So lunch consisted of fresh homemade burgers and hotdogs... and a wee Carib or two. A real Americanised BBQ. After that it was off to the Soggy Dollar Bar on JvD. It's called that because you have to anchor your boat off shore and then swim to the beach. Everyone's money is usually wet by then, hence the name. We met Michelle and the Mystique crew there and she jumped ship and came with us.
After about 15 Painkillers (a very drinkable yet lethal rum concoction) it was off to the infamous Willy T for dinner. Another great day out on the water.
The kids marooned on Sandy Cay.
The kids marooned on Sandy Cay.
En route to the Willy T
Fishing for Marlin
The boats at dawn
A bunch of guys from the rugby club arranged a morning out Deep Sea Fishing on a charter boat a few weeks back. Dave went along. There were two boats. One full of Saffers (Sth Africans) and the rest of the world on the other boat. There was a wager on which boat would do the best. The Saffers were confidant (and very vocal about it too) as they had a few very active anglers on their boat. The Rest of the World (ROTW) had a few Poms, a Scot, an Aussie, and two Kiwis who really didn’t have that many clues about Deep Sea Fishing. This was clearly evident as they hooked a fish (Barracuda) only to lose it before getting it on the boat.
The boats left at 6:15 am from Trellis Bay and headed out the back of Virgin Gorda to a spot called ‘The shelf”. The beers were cracked at about 6:17 am – for medicinal anti sea-sickness purposes.
The two boats trawled around the area criss-crossing each other’s path with plenty of banter between the boats when in earshot. No-one had hauled anything about after an hour or so. Suddenly one of the lines on the ROTW boat pinged and the line started to scream as something had taken the hook. Looking up, the ROTW were rewarded with the sight of a Blue Marlin leaping out of the water and dancing on it’s tail right behind the Saffer boat. The Saffers couldn’t help but see it and their heads dropped and shoulders sagged immediately.
Team ROTW were having turns being the “Man in the Chair” so when the Marlin struck it was the Aussie in the hot seat working his bum off as the others wound in the other lines then sat back enjoying a beer and offering plenty of vocal threats and support. After about 20 minutes the fish was done. They are protected here so you can only catch and release them. But not before some good pictures were taken. It was estimated at around 200lbs. A great effort by the ROTW boat. The pressure was all on the Saffers now. As the ROTW celebrated their catch in the accustomed style, the Saffers hooked a big Wahou but lost it. Then they got a couple of scawny barracuda. Not their day it seems. The contest was over and the boats headed home. Although it was pretty special to see the Marlin it was a little disappointing that the other fish weren’t biting that day. Maybe next time they’ll have caught something to eat when they come back…
(See Facebook pics: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23029&l=110f9&id=766998601 )
Team ROTW point the finger at the losing Saffer boat.
Under boats
One of our friends needed his boat hull cleaned and repainted. It had slime and barnacles all over it which plays havoc with the efficiency and speed of the boat. Dave spent a couple of days with two other guys scraping the smelly slime and stuff off the boat on a trailer before sanding it and painting with Anti foul paint. It was pretty hot and smelly work but as there were three of them doing it, it only took about a half day. Once that was done, there was another friend’s boat to be done. They’d got it down to a fine art by then and managed both days to have the boats cleaned and painted in time for a lunch at the pub while the paint dried. But both boats are looking pretty good now – and fast too!!!
Into the blue!
Behind Boats
Biscuit & Skis - we bought some water skis and a biscuit a while back. Now we have some friends with a boat, we make the most of the opportunity to get out on the water. The kids just love the biscuit – Jake likes going fast and tipping up at speed while Sam enjoys a slightly more sedate ride. The boat is a 25 footer with two 200’s on the back. Plenty of power there! Michelle and Dave have both been out on the skis a couple of times and both managed to survive the seas.
Biscuit & Skis - we bought some water skis and a biscuit a while back. Now we have some friends with a boat, we make the most of the opportunity to get out on the water. The kids just love the biscuit – Jake likes going fast and tipping up at speed while Sam enjoys a slightly more sedate ride. The boat is a 25 footer with two 200’s on the back. Plenty of power there! Michelle and Dave have both been out on the skis a couple of times and both managed to survive the seas.
Dave and Jake with a bit of pace on...
... and the end result.
Michelle and Jake - lovin it!
As summer comes, hopefully the sea will become even flatter and the skiing will get even better.
Maybe even Skurfing (Surfboard behind a boat) & Wake-boarding to come!
(See Facebook pics)
Maybe even Skurfing (Surfboard behind a boat) & Wake-boarding to come!
(See Facebook pics)
Fast Boats
Last sunday was the Annual Poker Run. It's a charity fundraising race around about four islands here and only the fastest of the fast enter. Some of these boats clocked in excess of 160 mph. Yep 160 mph. They don't use petrol for these babies, only the hot stuff! The photo above was taken from our house. We heard the massive roar of engines and by the time we got to the balcony, half of them had gone past already! When they aren't doing the poker run, rumour has it that they spend their time outrunning police boats and helicopters as they run their drugs around the carribean. Well, I guess you've got to pay for it somehow!
Rugby Club Wine Tasting
Another fundraising event for the kids rugby programme was the annual wine tasting. It was a 3 pm Kick off. Apparently they used to start at 12 but things tended to get a bit messy. After about three hours of quaffing back wine a tasting competition commenced. Entrants were required to provide the country, year, type and anything else they could provide of six different wines. After three hours of drinking prior, there wasn't a great deal of expertise left in the place. Although Dave proved to have the most educated palate by winning the contest… somehow. His grand total score of 2.5 out of 6 was by far the best. 2nd place only got 1.5. People said it was just good luck, but we know different. There were a few miffed wine buffs though who thought they knew everything! So dave walked (or staggered maybe) away with a half dozen wines to add to the ever diminishing collection.
Another entertaining night with some sore heads the next day.
Phew! Lucky this pic was taken before the reds were dished out!
Jake’s Sports Day
The little kids at school had their end of year sports day the other week. It was a morning of fun and relay races which the kids enjoyed. Jake was the captain of his team and they did pretty well, coming in 2nd overall.
Jake setting the pace with his team manager in support.
With the ribbon
The Rat Count Revival.
We had some people around for a barbecue out the back the other week when a fat rat sauntered past and disappeared into a hole in the wall. Right, Game on! Dave duly set the trap right outside said hole in wall and also borrowed a block of Rat Poison from the neighbor who was having issues with rats in his downstairs apartment.
Dave set the trap and went inside to check the beer stocks or something. Upon returning just a few minutes later – the rat was caught. The poison was still sitting in the hole but disappeared over night, so there were possibly two rats who met their demise that night. Unfortunately the International Rat Count Confederation don’t allow us to count kills without solid evidence. So we can just claim the one this time.
Weather Watch
It’s definitely getting warmer now. The coldest of late had been about 23 over night with highs in the low 30’s during the day. Summer is nearly here. It's been quite muggy this last week with rain threatening but never really arriving.
We had some people around for a barbecue out the back the other week when a fat rat sauntered past and disappeared into a hole in the wall. Right, Game on! Dave duly set the trap right outside said hole in wall and also borrowed a block of Rat Poison from the neighbor who was having issues with rats in his downstairs apartment.
Dave set the trap and went inside to check the beer stocks or something. Upon returning just a few minutes later – the rat was caught. The poison was still sitting in the hole but disappeared over night, so there were possibly two rats who met their demise that night. Unfortunately the International Rat Count Confederation don’t allow us to count kills without solid evidence. So we can just claim the one this time.
Weather Watch
It’s definitely getting warmer now. The coldest of late had been about 23 over night with highs in the low 30’s during the day. Summer is nearly here. It's been quite muggy this last week with rain threatening but never really arriving.
Surf Wrap
Well, believe it or not, even in May the surfing has continued. Not very often though! We’ll officially call the season over and just make the most of the occasional storm swells that pop up from time to time.
Jake – Jake started standing on his Boogey Board before Christmas so Santa in his infinite wisdom provided a board for the budding ‘Kelly Slater’ (Google him if you don’t know who he is). He took his board out after coming back from NZ in January and stood up immediately. His surfing continued to improve and he is able to paddle out and catch a wave on his own (conditions permitting). He’ll have all of next winter to work on his form so should continue to improve.
Sam – Sam loves the Boogey Board and seems content to stick with that for the time being.
Michelle – Michelle has only had a few opportunities to get out on Dave’s board, but with a full season next winter there should be plenty more chances to get out. Dave has managed to find a longboard for Michelle so we’ll see how that goes too!
Dave finally got his board in late Jan/early Feb and has made the most of his opportunities since. He can now catch ‘most’ waves and even a few clean ones and ride them all the way into the beach. He is working on steering the board now, which appears easier said than done.
Well, believe it or not, even in May the surfing has continued. Not very often though! We’ll officially call the season over and just make the most of the occasional storm swells that pop up from time to time.
Jake – Jake started standing on his Boogey Board before Christmas so Santa in his infinite wisdom provided a board for the budding ‘Kelly Slater’ (Google him if you don’t know who he is). He took his board out after coming back from NZ in January and stood up immediately. His surfing continued to improve and he is able to paddle out and catch a wave on his own (conditions permitting). He’ll have all of next winter to work on his form so should continue to improve.
Sam – Sam loves the Boogey Board and seems content to stick with that for the time being.
Michelle – Michelle has only had a few opportunities to get out on Dave’s board, but with a full season next winter there should be plenty more chances to get out. Dave has managed to find a longboard for Michelle so we’ll see how that goes too!
Dave finally got his board in late Jan/early Feb and has made the most of his opportunities since. He can now catch ‘most’ waves and even a few clean ones and ride them all the way into the beach. He is working on steering the board now, which appears easier said than done.
"Us surfies get all the hot chicks". This is some NY model whose boyfriend lost his kite at Josiah's. Dave just happened to rescue it from the surf for him. Anyone recognise her? Dave couldn't remember her name...
Fuel costs
We note that the cost of petrol in NZ has got to $2. Just to really annoy you, it costs us about $3.85 a gallon here. So with a gallon being approximately 3.78 litres, a litre here would cost (with the exchange rate of .78), $NZ1.30 per litre. That might explain why half of the population here leave their cars running with the AC on while they pop into a shop or pick up kids from school.
Sunset swim in a friend's pool
Whirlwind House Tour
If you want a quick tour of our house, we have added a video clip below. Please let us know if it works or not. It all seems fine at this end.
See ya!!!!
Next Month
Visitor’s Report - Who will it be?
Tri Nations Rugby – Carribean Style. Or should that be “Quad nations”…
Visitor’s Report - Who will it be?
Tri Nations Rugby – Carribean Style. Or should that be “Quad nations”…
Travel report - hopefully we'll be able to report from our st Maarten trip as well as a little visit to the Cayman islands.
and much much more!!!!!
