- Updates from the Islands -

Tortola and Virgin Gorda (BVI) Update

Where's dat dunshine?

Dat Wayward Sailor writes:   Spent some time sailing, motor sailing and just motoring up and down the Sir Francis Drake Channel over the past two days.  Far  fewer boats out but a good bit of the sailboats were under sail.  Winds are between 12 and 18 knots but they do have a few wind shifts that surprise you if your not looking out at water surface.  Most sailors can read wind on the surface and can adjust for wind speed and direction before they come on to the wind line.  That is what race boats do but cruisers like myself use the same techniques for ease of sail and smoother/ dryer rides.   We did have a glorious start of the day today.  Overcast with good winds and rain.  Now you ask how could this be good?  Well you just had to have been there.  In da islands what may seem bad is very often very, very very nice depending on the circumstances at hand.  Something unexpected just occurs and even overcast and rain can look far better than you may assume.  It is all about attitude and a bit of lower latitude probably helps!  Sharing great food and times with friends is the key ingredients.   On and off showers with a few spots of sun and breezy winds are on tap for most of the islands today and tonight.  Things are really looking green and the flowers are all coming out.  Even the birds seem to enjoy the short rain showers   later  da Wayward Sailor   The East End Correspondent writes:   Hello from cloudy Paradise! Woke this morning just after sunrise to see some rain squalls coming through.  The rain shafts are so interesting to see from high up on the island that it's always fun to watch.  The winds have picked up over the last day or so and the clouds have thickened.  Not many boats out sailing, must have hunkered down to let this disturbed weather pass. Not sure if that Wayward sailor passed by my house or not, from my distance up on the hill most sailboats look alike with the exception of the larger Oysters (Hum I want one of those) need to work on Santa for that one.......Most boats have full sails out but are not heeling over too much, it would be a nice downwind sail going from Trellis Bay to Sopers Hole today.  Due to the cloud cover, I kicked up the timer on the solar heat to the pool, call me a wuss but do like a pool that is on the bit warmer side.  Still working as I type on my tan near the pool, listening to the surf from Paraquitta Bay.  No one has started to haul their boats into Paraquitta Bay yet, that's a fantastic place for boats during hurricane season.  I usually get to watch Moorings and Sunsail maneuver the boats through the very small channel at the entrance.  They stack them up side by side tightly. Yesterday was a fun day for me. Joined my art group for a lovely day of painting. While picking up my friend en route to art group I stopped and snipped a Purple Wreath (Petrea Voluilis) which was to be my botanical art subject.  It's flowers are lovely purple with sticky wide leaves.  The petals are quite dainty and it will usually wilt quickly so as soon as I could I dashed it into water, but lo and behold not quick enough so I've started painting a wilted Purple Wreath.  For me living periodically on the island it's important to meet people and make friends so my art group along with practicing botanical art I'm enjoying new relationships with ex-pat's, Brit's and locals.  We end the morning with lunch.  Our hostess made Greek chicken and the works.  Quite a lovely morning plus started that wilted Purple Wreath watercolor. Will close for now, all is well and paradise is still here waiting for you to come down and join her. East End Correspondent.    Warm and Sunny Regards, DearMissMermaid.Com Author of Hurricanes and Hangovers(And Other Tall Tales and Loose Lies From The Coconut Telegraph) Available in the USA, UK, France, Germany, India, PR and the BVI

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