This year seems to be whizzing by. September has raced past us in a bit of a blur. We'll try and slow that down a bit for you so you can see what we got up to over the last month. Visitors, Travel, School, Rugby, Snakes and a wee cocktail party seem to be the main attractions of this issue. So, without further ado we'll let you read on!
(As is the norm these days, previous issues of our Blog can be viewed via the Archive section on the top right, or by scrolling down... a fair way...)
Visitor’s Report Jan and Keith's visit to the BVI
Jan (Michelle's mum) and Keith popped over for a bit of well earned R & R. Here is their version:
The Bomba Shack!
WELL - what an Island of Paradise, a great place to leave all the problems behind and relax and have not a care in the world.
The weather was just wonderful after having spent a wet winter indoors.
We visited many beautiful beaches (too many to name) and have got reasonably confident with snorkelling. We had a wonderful day on Virgin Gorda and just loved the Baths.
WELL - what an Island of Paradise, a great place to leave all the problems behind and relax and have not a care in the world.
The weather was just wonderful after having spent a wet winter indoors.
We visited many beautiful beaches (too many to name) and have got reasonably confident with snorkelling. We had a wonderful day on Virgin Gorda and just loved the Baths.
The Baths, Virgin Gorda
Anegada was another highlight, after getting a soaking on the ferry going over there we had three wonderful days with Michelle, Dave and kids exploring the island. we also experienced some rain one day whilst there which was not so good for snorkelling. One evening we had a meal at a FAST FOOD RESTAURANT at Anegada. We've never eaten a restaurant meal in such a short space of time! Itwas all over with in about one hour - entrees and mains. But hey, the food was great and there was plenty of it.
We have also developed quite a liking for the local cocktail "Painkiller" and subsequently downed a few whilst we were there.
We have also developed quite a liking for the local cocktail "Painkiller" and subsequently downed a few whilst we were there.
Someone's been to the Willy T...
We would like to thank Michelle and Dave for their kind hospitality and the fantastic holiday we had, meeting a lot of their friends, and also the wonderful 16 days we were able to spend with Sam and Jake.
These will be memories we will treasure forever.
Love Jan and Keith
So, there you have it. It was great having Jan & Keith over so we could show them just how hard it is to live in a place like this. The kids loved having them too - especially in the mornings!
Weather
Well the wet season is definitely upon us. we have had plenty of Rain, Thunder and Lightning over the last few weeks. Fortunately all of the Hurricanes and Tropical storms have avoided us, apart from rough weather on occasion, but we can't complain!
The garden has just gone nuts as well with all of the water and warm temperatures everything grows like crazy. Earlier in the year Dave was trying to grow some papayas with limited success. Now they are popping up like weeds all over the place!
The temperature during the day sits around the 30 mark, with a drop to about 25 ish over night.
Snakes
Snakes
SSSSSSSsssssssseptember sssssssseems to be the time for ssssssssssssnakes around here. We found one in our bedroom one morning and another in the 'office' area a few days later. But don't be alarmed. They weren't quite in the Boa Constrictor league. Far from it. These guys would be lucky to be thicker than a pencil and about one and one half times as long.
Travel ReportNew York!
Up on the Empire State Building
Michelle was sent kicking and screaming to NY for a training course last week. Since it was NY she took the Friday off to travel up there and spent a weekend doing the tourist things, and maybe a little bit of shopping (apparently there is no shopping on Tortola). The weather was nice and she took in most of the sights and checked out the city in preparation for the rest of the family to arrive the following thursday. Wall Street, Empire State Building, the UN, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge and Macy's were just a few of the places she went. The course lasted all week and at least kept her out of the shops and things during the day. But after that...
Aaaaarrrrggghhhh!!!!!! Get it off!!!!
During this time Dave and the kids were house sitting at a friend's place which is just a little bit flasher than our humble abode. It also has a swimming pool in which the kids lived when they weren't eating or sleeping. But it did rain fairly heavily that week, but not enough to put the kids off swimming!
FAO Schwartz Piano
Dave dragged the kids out of School the following Thursday lunchtime and they took a flight to Puerto Rico where they had only 40 minutes to get on the next flight. They scuttled around the terminal and made it on time so headed off on the second leg to JFK. It's a four hour trip and they arrived around 9:30pm. Next job was to find a taxi (or Cab!) to the hotel. They were told only to take the official "Yellow Cabs" but in true fashion, decided to take a trip with "Dodgy Brothers" taxis instead. But it was fine, and a much nicer car too.
Mad Hatter and Friends
Up early the next day, look out the window and .... it's grey. So, off we go, shorts, tee shirts and jandals down the street to find some food while all of New York's corporate world come in the opposite direction giving us a few sideways stares as they, armed with umbrellas, raincoats etc busily headed to their high rise office.
It's in there somewhere!
All fed (at a little coffee shop/cum breakfast bar) Michelle heads off to her last day of training while Dave and Kids take on New York. First stop was the Footlocker, where dave bought some more runners. The wet 'sidewalk' was too treacherous for his jandals. Then it was off to Grand Central Station for a ride to Central Park. They made that OK and visited the two Zoos in the park before checking out FAO Schwartz - a big toy store (the Movie "Big" was based on this place). The kids could have moved in here. So many toys. They had a go on the big piano as well.
Wildlife in Central Park
After visiting the "Apple" store there was a fairly long walk back to the hotel where Michelle had just arrived in time for everyone to go out again (after a quick rest and a beer/cider).
The Ugly Duckling and Friends
Time square was where we were headed. Toys R Us in fact. Another home for the kids. After a play there we went to Planet Hollywood for dinner, checked out Times square and the M & M store and then home to bed.
No sleep in saturday - next door for breakfast (again) then Central Park, then the Staten Island ferry (to see the Statue of Liberty). Only problem was that the fog had come right down and the statue was more of a silhouette through the mist. After that it was off to Wall street and a few other spots before taking on Brooklyn Bridge. It was getting late so dinner was taken at Grand Central Station (they have a fairly impressive food court there) before heading back to the hotel just down the street.
Sunday. No change in the weather. Beakfast at the usual haunt then off to check out the Rockerfeller centre (where you can get great views of the city). Only problem was that there was zero visability. Another time maybe...
Eddie Murphy's brother drinks Speights!
We headed for the Bronx... There's a zoo there (one with animals and stuff). At the zoo we met up with Kirsty (one of Michelle's school mates) and her husband Craig and their two boys Guy (5) and Will (3). The girls hadn't seen each other for 'quite a while' and they had a good catch up as we all wandered about the zoo, which was quite impressive really. We never had time to do the whole thing but might have to do the rest next time!
Craig, Michelle, Kirsty & Kids at the Bronx Zoo
Then it was back to the Rockerfeller Centre in the hope that the clouds had lifted enough for us to see New York from up high. We were in luck! 360 degree views and just at dusk when all of the city lights were starting to take effect. Very pretty.
On the Rockerfeller Center
We were all pretty knackered after that so Pizza for dinner before heading out to another hotel for the night at JFK. A very early start on monday morning (5 am) and then a 7 am flight to Puerto Rico, then another mad dash to the BVI flight. But we made it OK and arrived back to the lovely sun and heat of Tortola. A great time was had by all. We might have to do it again sometime.
See lots more New York pictures by clicking each of the links below:Go on! They're pretty cool!
Honey Badger
The Honey Badger (in this instance) isn't an animal from South Africa, it's a boat owned by a couple of our friends. Dave went out one saturday for a day out to farewell the Rugby coach who was going back to the UK after his year here. The day was spent visiting Jost van Dyke (and the Soggy Dollar Bar) although no one actually went to the bar. They all just sat on the moored Honey Badger having a few beers. A Dolphin soon arrived and had a good time swimming around with everyone before departing to greener pastures, deeper seas or wherever dolphins go.
"The Bailey Boys" on the Willy T
The Badger headed off as well... to the infamous Willy T. The biscuit was towed across to the Willy T with various people getting a ride. Dave got the skis out but it was a bit too rough for that. A few drinks were had at the Willy T before the skis came out again (it was much flatter by then) but Dave managed to tear a muscle in his leg doing this and wasn't all that happy - especially with a Rugby game vs the navy in a weeks time. But it was a good day out all the same.
More Pics:
More Pics:
Rugby v Navy
HMS Iron Duke was down in the Caribbean on Hurricane relief duty. They were calling into Tortola for a few days off and also to play Rugby against the mighty BVI.
It was a very wet saturday and the ground was very muddy, which was a first for the BVI team as they usually play on a very hard and fast surface, often without grass.
But the BVI, being on average a little older than the Navy team, just kept the opposition on the back foot the entire game and eventually came out winners seven tries to Nil. We don't have any goalposts at the moment, hence the scoring method.
A little bit muddy........Dave played the game but kept it fairly quiet as he was still favouring his injured leg. He managed to pick up a ball from the back of the ruck in the last play of the game and knock two defenders out of the way before diving/splashing across the line to score.... but alas, it was the Dead Ball line. And yes, he did recieve quite a bit of ribbing for that. In his defence, the goal line was under water and it was a spectacular dive!
More pics:
Cocktail Evening
On board the 'Duke'
Now that Dave works for the Governor, he's now on the 'A List' for the official functions that are either hosted by the Governor or visiting dignitaries. The Iron Duke were hosting a Cocktail evening on board the frigate and Michelle and Dave were invited. They had a nice evening on board chatting to the Officers and enjoying the hospitality. The evening ended with the formal lowering of the flag and a few last drinks. All very nice.
SchoolThe kids are back at school now. Sam is in Grade Three while Jake is in what they call Primary Transition. Both are enjoying being back with their friends. Sam is doing Ballet and Drama after school while both are doing Tennis. Jake was offered the option of Soccer as well but politely declined.
"Cousin It"Next Month
October brings us...
- more travel (Cancun we hope!)
- not many visitors (as far as we know)
- maybe some surfing?
- we'll think of something, don't worry!
See ya soon!!!!!
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