|
|
- Updates from the Islands -- - Tortola & Virgin Gorda (BVI) - - |
|
|
| - Balmy Winds and oads of Sunshine | |
| |
|
| - Same haze in the BVI | |
| |
|
| - Come on down, the weather is PERFECT! | |
| |
|
| - Is it a hurricane? First Ever in SOUTH Atlantic (below equator) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
|
| - Life's A Beach! | |
| |
|
| - Surf is up Everywhere! | |
| |
|
| - Surf is Up Again! | ||
| ||
Title: AOL Email
|
| - Green With Envy | |
| |
|
| - Odette and now Pete? | |
| |
|
| - Warm and Sunny | |
| |
|
| - We Have a Famous Star Visiting the BVI | |
| |
|
| - Woke Up Chilly, under 80 degrees here! | |
| |
|
| - Green Again! | |
| |
|
| - Gorgeous Day in paradise | |
| |
|
| - Sun is Out and Surf is Up | |
| |
|
| - Tortola's Rapid Recovery In Full Swing | |
| |
|
| - Sun is Out! Sky is Blue! | |
| |
|
| - Cry Me A River! The Driveway Has Rapids! | |
| |
|
| - A farting bull with sinusitus... | |
| |
|
| - Bring Your Skis and Glide on Down! | |
| |
|
| - My Feet Are Getting Moldy! | |
| |
|
| - Old Building Collapses in Tortola | |
| |
|
| - Intense flooding has cut off many parts of the island | |
| |
|
| - Damages All Over Tortola | |
| |
|
| - Extreme Weather | |
| |
|
| - Tortola rain | |
| |
|
| - Too Early for St Nick! | |
| |
|
| - Himmacane Nicolas? | |
| |
|
| - TD 19 | |
| |
|
| - Mini Mindy | |
| |
|
| - Drive with your Lights on in Blinding Rain | |
| |
|
| - Harry and Kate | |
| |
|
| - Remember Left Lenny? Now we got Lefty Larry! | |
| |
|
| - Hurricane Pics of Bermuda | |
| |
|
| - Juan, Kate and Dolphins | |
| |
|
| - tropical storm Kate | |
| |
|
| - Juan is now a hurricane well north of us | |
| |
|
| - Tropical Storm Juan | |
| |
|
| - Link Correction |
|
|
Folllowing is a picture of Santa Claus and a broken link! This link shoudl replace it (and hopefully work!) Spend Christmas in the Islands |
| - Nothing to worry about yet, just a small tropical wave off Africa... |
|
|
Well, it is another gorgeous day in Paradise. 86 degrees. Soft winds wafting by, clear blue skies. Folks are gearing up for high season. Make your reservations now to come to the BVI before all the good spots are gone. There is small tropical wave off Africa. So typical for this time of year. We hope is stays small and disorganized. Like me... A new government was voted in. They removed most of the speed bumps and it sure does make life nicer on Tortola. Amen to them! And now for today's foolishness: From an email: I think you should contact me, so we can disgust this matter further... From the bar: The drunker I stand here, the longer I get... Overheard at the bar: How can I miss you, if you won't go away? Also overheard: Well, if the phone ain't ringing, it's me calling... Bathroom Graffiti: Mamas, don't let your cowboys grow up to be babies... Pickup Line: Are you tired? Cause you been running through my mind all day... Gossip: Did you hear about the southern twins who opened up their own cut and color beauty parlor in the Caribbean? They named it Pair of Dyes... More Gossip: Someone else opened a barber shop at the sailboat marina, named Trim The Mane USEFUL INFO ABOUT WEATHER TERMS: Tropical disturbance, tropical wave -- Unorganized mass of thunderstorms, very little, if any, organized wind circulation. Tropical depression -- Has evidence of closed wind circulation around a center with sustained winds from 20-34 knots (23-39 mph). Tropical storm -- Maximum sustained winds are from 35-64 knots (40-74 mph). The storm is named once it reaches tropical storm strength. Hurricane -- Maximum sustained winds exceed 64 knots (74 mph). Rum Squall--Drunken Hangover Where Does Santa Claus go on vacation?
Click Here and Spend Christmas in the Islands
|
| - 4 tropical waves |
|
|
We had a wave go through the BVI last night and boy did it ever rain and howl. The rain was so thick you could not see across Sopers Hole in West End! There are 3 more waves headed for us and we sure need the rain. The island is so much cleaner and nicer after a good hard rain. Of course those who were stuck home and thought they would watch cable TV were sorely mistaken as the cable went off. Ditto for the Internet. Then the power went out. All this over a small tropical wave. Doesn't give me much hope for the stamina of our utilities, if we can't even survive a small tropical wave. Perhaps we will have a minor baby boom nine months from tonight *giggle*. This morning brought out brilliant blue skies and bright sun. A great way to begin the week.
|
| - Bright and Sunny |
|
|
Hard to believe that Isabel is only a 300 miles north of us and we are enjoying exceptionally good weather. I hope to go to the North shore today and see if the surf is up and what the surfers are doing about it.
|
| - From Hell with Isabel |
|
|
|
| - Isabel Stomps By Closely |
|
|
The weather is incredibly gorgeous here today, yet inexplicably a huge hurricane is just north east of us. I still watch it with guarded eye, it could go anywhere and those hurricane experts in Miami could be wrong. But, then again, they aren't wrong often, just that a few years ago we went through several hurricanes that were way off the predicted mark. Sometimes we got reports that the eye was one place when it was somewhere else and this gave us pause for cause. I remember during hurricane Bertha, years back, I was living aboard my uninsured yacht, a modest 30' sailboat. I had taken refuge with about 15 other sailors in a two bedroom condo nearby. While the drunken radio newscaster was mumbling about the hurricane reports, which said the eye was well north east of us, we were experiencing this eerie calm of the eye right upon us. Everyone ran out to check on their boats and on the way back, the wall of wind behind the eye hit us suddenly. I was dashing across the yard to the condo when the wind swept me up and plastered me against a chain link fence. I looked down helplessly as my feet dangled about a foot off the ground. I wasn't even holding on, just that the wind was so strong it held me against the fence. Finally I pulled my way down to the ground and dashed inside the condo. About that time, a coconut came flying by and hit the roof, it sounded like we had been hit by a bomb. We retreated to the bar, which covered about 90% of the kitchen counter space and drunkenly toasted the hapless newscaster on the local radio who was saying things like: "Hurricane *hiccup* Berda, is about um *burp* tur-tee miles from um (sound of guzzling bottle followed by a big sigh) Berda has winds of um, about, um, hmmmm, a hun-dirt miles per *burp* hour...." this was followed by about two minutes of radio silence but we could hear a chair scraping, some muffled moans, a glass breaking, and then the announcer came back on. "Hurricane, um, Berda, is..... *belch* .............. oh shit, ................ where's my bottle, (guzzle) ............ a category, hmmm, ah, well, um two or tree, I think. Let me take a leak out the window and see what she's doing. Um, I mean a wook out the lindow, ah, um..... (sound of crashing equipment followed by more muffled radio static). We drank and giggled and played scrabble and watched the sliding glass doors bow in and out as the winds pummeled the condo and marina. The sailboat masts were all playing the flute, but each on a different key and the melody was like an injured banshee. A few minutes later, the radio announcer cleared his throat, couched up some phlegm and droned on punctuated by loud swigs from his bottle, muffled burps and belches. "Hurricane, um, um, well, um, Berda, yeah, Berda, has 100 yeas max, um, 100 winds, uh, 100 miles *guzzle* her power, um, per power, ugh, per hour. There is a report dat, um, a, um, that um, a um, what-cha-calli-it, I mean uh, um, roof *hiccup* has blown off in um, east end. If you out there, um..." and the radio died completely. We collapsed in giggles and spent much of the day imitating the radio reporter, making up our own reports. There was no electricity, the phones were dead and as night fell, we managed to assemble dinner by candlelight on a gas stove. I made a huge pan of lasagna for the group, and it was devoured in about 3 minutes, as besides drinking and playing Scrabble by candlelight, there wasn't much else to do. ************* Currently, we have tourists on the island and quite a few of them are disappointed that the hurricane missed us. They have heard so much about our fabulous hurricane parties that they are saddened to be missing them. But what they heck, sometimes you just have to go through a rum squall to get to the *hiccup* purdy stuff. |
| - All is well |
|
| Weather is gorgeous, not a cloud in the sky. The massive hurricane Isabel is going to miss us it looks like, so we are all very relieved. |
| - Where we Are, Where Isabel is |
|
|
...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE ISABEL CONTINUES MOVING WESTWARD... AT 11 AM AST...1500Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE ISABEL WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 21.4 NORTH... LONGITUDE 54.5 WEST OR ABOUT 535 MILES...865 KM...EAST-NORTHEAST OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS. For your info, West End, in the British Virgin Islands is located at approximately 18.23.09 North 64.42.01 West
|
| - Hurricane Isabel |
|
|
Weather is still gorgeous on Tortola. The weather channel is still the preferred channel on public TV's in bars and businesses. A few folks have gotten ready for the storm, many have not. There is a general belief that Tortola is invincible this year. Let's hope my earlier predictions (last spring) will hold true that all we will get is a big old scare. We finally had a teeny tiny bit of rain down here, enough to make the gardens pretend not to die for a day. Already my mailbox is overwhelmed with requests to find vacationers, boats and some guy named BoBo who might the father of Teeny Tina's baby...at least she thinks his name was BoBo and he was on a blue boat in Jost about 9 months ago... Nothing has happened here yet, except I have had 5 calls from friends who want to stay with me in the event of a hurricane. 2 want to come here because they live in wooden buildings and would feel better in a masonry place and 3 just want to come stay here cause they live alone and would rather not spend the hurricane alone. So if we do get the hurricane here, and it looks doubtful, anyhow, my place, all two rooms of it, will be quite the party with 5 or 6 of us (plus all the pets) crammed in here and let's not forget the jungle I am growing in pots on my balcony has to be moved indoors... So we wait and pray and see where this mess is going. |
| - Isabel growing bigger |
|
|
Henri is no threat to the islands. Fabian is already gone. I got ready for Fabian in hopes that my work was in vain. It was. Now we have Isabel and TD# 14. Isabel is on a track headed for us, in the Virgin Islands, but we all hope she will turn North. However, being a category 4 hurricane means that damages could be substantial. Tortola for the most part is built with a lot of masonry buildings, but those living in wooden buildings should take cover elsewhere if Isabel comes for a visit. |
| - Isabel |
|
|
Here we go again, another hurricane headed our way. Strong winds too. We need the rain. My poor garden is so parched and water is so expensive here. We have had absolutely gorgeous weather all week, but today, inexplicably, it is overcast, a rare sight for these islands. Surprisingly, we are having loads of tourists down here. I mean it is in no way crowded, but a lot more tourists than many folks were expecting to be here this time of year. |
| - Bermuda |
|
|
My hearts and thoughts with love and prayers go out to those in Bermuda who have suddenly found themselves the latest sensational disaster news. I don't know how my friends and loved ones are doing there, but it can't be good. I can only hope and pray that the strong proud island of Bermuda, will quickly bounce back with renewed vigor. xoxoxoxoxoxoxox |
| - No Fabian Here! |
|
| Well, I planned for the worse and of course nothing happened. So we are sunny and clear, a great day in paradise. |
| - BVI |
|
We are experiencing heavy sporadic afternoon showers in Tortola. Currently
the sun is shining brightly.
Will advise if the situation changes.
--
Regards,
Nadine Battle
Executive Director
British Virgin Islands Chamber of Commerce
and Hotel Association
bviccha AT surfbvi.com
284 494 3514
284 494 6179 FX
|
| - Fabian the Himmacane |
|
|
84 degrees, scattered clouds, very little rain. Well, here we have the stylish name of Hurricane Fabian. It is about 1000 miles east of us. Of course the weather here is terrific currently. But I am glad to say that most of my hurricane preparations were taken care of months ago, I have the batteries, food, candles, water and such. But in the meantime, I have been growing a jungle on my balcony, and all that will have to come inside and I wonder where I will put 50 potted plants. Of course Fabian looks like he may miss us, but we will still get the outer rims and showers, at least we need the rain. I will try to keep you posted. I have a new computer and it is rather cantankerous. I am still trying to set everything up (yuck). |
| - Life's a Beach! |
|
|
All is well in Tortola. Tropical Storm #9 barely dumped a scattered shower on us. Matter of fact, Tortola needs rain on most parts. While some areas are green but not lush, other areas look desert like. The Sahara dust has blown over and gives us spectacular sunsets. Three, yes, three, tropical disturbances are headed our way and no doubt these bear watching as I expect to get at least a scare out of them. Link to satellite: http://www.intellicast.com/Local/USNationalWide.asp?loc=usa&seg=Sail&prodgrp=CaribbeanCharts&product=CaribSurfaceAnalysis&prodnav=none&pid=none |
| - Don't Stop The Carnival, I still got a hangover from the Donkey Races! |
|
|
86 degrees with 70% humidity and gentle trade winds wafting by, bringing cooling breezes. It has been a tad warm lately, but that's been good for going to the beach. We need more rain, my flowers look sad. The carnival is over and folks are nursing their hangovers, packing for vacations and some are closing their business for a few weeks or even a month so they can take a break. Life is moving slower here. Since the island population has shrunk so drastically, it is like a small town. I get embarrassed when so many folks speak to me by name and I am wondering now WHO is that... Sometimes I go to introduce myself and the other person will say, they know who I am, where I work and where I live. Makes ya wonder if big brother is watching you. On the flip side, sometimes folks feel they know you so well, that they treat you like royalty. For instance, my jeep was in the shop, it needed everything. It is only 15 years old, but still stuff breaks on it. I had a very long list of things for the mechanic to fix, from the front end to the wiper blades to the brakes. When I went to pick it up, the mechanic said he hadn't had time to figure up my bill, but for me to take the car and stop by later in the week and pay him. Then I had friends who were delayed getting on island and I feared the small guest house they wanted to stay at, would be closed when they arrived. They had made a reservation but not paid a deposit. I called the guest house to tell them they were running late on arrival, and the manager told me to come pick up the keys and we would do the money and paperwork later, not to worry, but she was going home and I could do the waiting for her. When my friends finally arrived, they looked real worried, because the guest house was dark and locked up. I produced the keys and they wanted to reimburse me and when I told them I hadn't paid a thing, just fetched their keys so the manager on duty could go home early, they were flabbergasted. Ain't life grand...
|
| - Life's a Carnival! |
|
|
The long anticipated rain has finally arrived. It poured for a good 5 minutes in West End. We needed to settle the Sahara Dust. That's right, the Sahara dust. It gives us spectacular sunsets in the summer as well as hazy horizons. I always drive with drinking water in my old jeep, I have to wash down the dust now and then, in my travels. Tonight the sunset was a brilliant red sky. It was mesmerizing, so I spent a good half hour studying it. But our twilight is quick and when the sun finally set, there were only a few more minutes of light before we were enveloped in darkness. Days are in the low 80's and nights are in the low 80's too, but the trade winds have been keeping things nice and cool. Carnival is in full swing, lotsa partying everywhere as they move Carnival from town to Carrot Bay and then to East End. It's a Carnival! |
| - Anonymous Tropical Depression |
|
|
There is a tropical depression about 900 miles east of Barbados. It is well worth watching, as it came off Africa disorganized and seemed to organize as it drifted west. Hopefully, it will just bring us much needed rain and some cooling breezes. This is my favorite satellite picture: Caribbean Satellite I DON'T BELIEVE IN MIRICLES. I RELY ON THEM. Quote from an 83 year old Lady
|
| - Sunny Skies Are Here Again! I'm so happy, I could write song on my Banjo! |
|
|
Yesterday is was dark and cloudy much of the day with strong winds and very little rain. Folks at Nanny Cay were skipping along happily, as everyone was relieved and ready for the non-storm. Today, the sun is out, the winds are moderate and I am off to the beach! Yesterday, at happy hour, Jolly Roger had an un-hurricane party and we watched these Frenchmen all hop out of their dinghy, climb up on the dock and order drinks. Apparently, no one thought to tie up the expensive dinghy. The winds and current began to whisk the dinghy right out of the harbor. One of the Frenchmen stripped down and began swimming for the dinghy, but it looked pretty hopeless. The current was strong, the winds were stiff and the sky was dark. Another person ran down the shore, then jumped in to go after the dinghy, but as the current grabbed him, he quickly made a U-turn and came back to shore. It was almost dark thirty, and a fast moving ferry was on the horizon. Fortunately, they saw the dinghy, and stopped the ferry, maneuvering it around, to stop and pick up the dinghy, rafting it along side. They then continued on to the ferry dock, with the wayward dinghy in tow. I suggested the Frenchmen go thank the captain and hand him a hundred dollar bill. They thought I was crazy. Other bar patrons thought two hundred would be more appropriate. The Frenchmen went to the dock, with a thank you and no money. The captain of the ferry decided that his trouble was worth $150 and a small squabble ensued. The Frenchmen came back to the bar for an opinion, and we said "Well, try $50, wave a hundred in his face and pay $150 if he insists." The Frenchmen were furious and we explained that he was darn lucky, that no boat is under any obligation to save "things". Had the dinghy been full of people and adrift, then yes, the captain is obligated to assist. But to take a commercial ferry, divert course and maneuver around, trying to rescue a dinghy (sans people) was worth a "salvage" fee and they should just pay up and be grateful, they didn't lose the dinghy completely. Some lessons in foolishness do cost. The school of hard-knocks ain't cheap!
|
| - Gutsy and Rainy |
|
|
Or is that Gusty and Rainy? It is 7am, and been blowing kind of strong most of the night with scattered squalls. No sun, just gray sky and a low gentle roar brought by the winds. |
| - Erika WHO? |
|
|
There is no Erika, least not yet, and that mess of a tropical storm is now just a tropical wave. Sailing From West End to Nanny Cay turned out to be a breeze and pretty much uneventful. Bareboat companies at Nanny Cay were scurrying around, securing their many yachts for the possibility of a storm. Just last week, I was buying canned goods, filling up water jugs and topping off my Red Dragon (the rusty jeep) with gas. It only took a gallon and a half to top it off, yet inexplicably, I had not bought gas in well over two weeks! Guess there is something to be said for those old jeeps that that run on fumes and don't drain the pocket book. I felt last week, (some folks were making fun of me, for planning for a non-storm at that time) that if I was all prepared for a hurricane, then it wouldn't happen and would be just an exercise. But if we were to get a big blow, I have business and personal concerns to attend to (some not insured) so I wanted some of the donkey work knocked out of the way. I still believe this tropical depression is wroth watching, as it could gear up again, once it gets past us. |
| - Unnamed Storm, tropical depression 6 |
|
|
For now, we just have TD#6. I was watching it on the satellite pictures when it started rolling off Africa. It is poorly formed at the moment, but I still don't like the looks of it. We could be in for a strong blow. In the West end, today, it is blowing gently with the sun out. However, I am going sailing upwind to Nanny Cay and that may prove to be rather choppy and sloppy, will let you know. We sure could use some rain! |
| - TD#6 |
|
We had some rain overnight, which is always welcome here, as it keeps us nice and green! The sun is out this morning, along with a generous supply of clouds and spotty showers. TD6 is still supposed to pass south of here as a weak tropical storm. A watch has been issued for USVI. The local radio station which plays on our local tv information channel this morning mentioned a "tropical wave" in the vicinity, but no mention of a depression or storm. (Everyone here watches The Weather Channel, anyway, for tropical updates). Tropical Prediction Center at 8am had this to say: "INTERESTS ELSEWHERE IN THE LESSER ANTILLES AND THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM." We certainly will do just that. Our very best wishes to our island neighbors to the south, especially Montserrat! ************************************************************************ check BVI & tropical weather at: http://www.weathercarib.com ************************************************************************ |
| - 11am good news |
|
The 11am advisory sounds considerably better! Now not forecast to reach hurricane strength until Thursday morning, at 78W. It does seem like a busy season is underway, being it's only July and we're about to see the 5th named storm. Probably wise to get that list updated and stocked, since it consists of non-perishables, etc. There's plenty of time to eat canned beans during the winter if they aren't needed this season. Cheers! ************************************************************************ check BVI & tropical weather at: http://www.weathercarib.com ************************************************************************ |
| - Erika |
|
As of this morning, looks like TD6 might be TS Erika later today, and possibly Cat 1hurricane by Tuesday. Current prediction passes her south of us, but I plan to stock up on water, batteries, just in case we have enough wind that they turn off the power. Meanwhile, it's a beautiful cool morning up here "on top", soft breezes and white clouds dotting the blue skies... ************************************************************************ check BVI & tropical weather at: http://www.weathercarib.com ************************************************************************ |
| - Paradise back to normal |
|
|
It is 80ish degrees with trade winds cooling things down. All the ash is gone. We had some rain the other day, but it was very brief. Danny is far north of us and Claudette is dancing aorund the US. And Now from the Mailbag: What is a Mermaid? signed Never Seen One! Dear Gentle Reader, A Mermaid is a deep-she fish!
|
| - Let's Kick Some Ash! |
|
|
Tortola continues to receive a sprinkling of volcano ash with a thick haze buffering the bright sun. What we need now, is some rain to wash this mess away. SMugglers Cove Beach was lovely as usual today, but the water is a bit cloudy and clarity has decreased. Instead of seeing clearly 20-30 feet below, one can only see about 10 feet below in the water. Horrors! This will clear up, the Caribbean sea is famous for its crystal clear waters, but Montserrat is dusting the oocean and masquerading the island. The water was the perfect temperature for swimming and Miss Mermaid spent the day frollicking in the sea. There was a mild earthquake on Sunday, it felt like the island took a giant burp but was quite brief. |
| - Montserrat blows her top, send ash over BVI |
|
|
Not only is it the 13th of the month, but it is the Full moon and the night of the Fool Moon parties. I had planned a beach day, but the morning brought an eerily dreary day. It didn't even look like I was in the islands, so I went back to bed, hoping the horrid sky was a bad dream, and I would awake to my sunny beach day. I wasn't connected to the latest news sources. But throughout the day, I remarked several times that the overcast was a really strange color. My potted plants looked unhappy so I did some balcony gardening. I never made it to the beach. But I noticed bits of weird dust all over my home. Funny, didn't I just clean this place? Even the cats were looking a bit dusty and chose to stay inside today, something rare for them, since they think they own the island and are entitled to roam it at will. However, I now find out that the Montserrat Dome collapsed, and the volcano shot nearly 8 miles into the sky, sending ash raining down, which was then picked up by the winds and then gave Tortola such a strange hue. This also explains why I have had to put constant eye drops in my eyes all day. I thought it was just an excuse not to catch up on some office work, since my eyes felt bad. Anyhow, we are grateful that no one was killed in Montserrat, but my heart goes out to those people living there. Life is tough in paradise, sometimes.
|
| - Be Careful What You Ask For |
|
|
Claudette is not a threat to the BVI at all. Before she was named, she breezed through here with some strong gusts which even knocked down some of our already loosely strung telephone wires and managed to mess up the Cable TV somewhat. After she left here, she was named and went on to hunt down other parts of the world. So we are happy to be just lazing about the beach here, having a grand ole time. Temps in the low 80's, humidity at 70-ish, rain is not expected, so I am off to the beach again! I was in a bar the other day, and noticed a man sitting there and his head was as tiny as a softball, yet the rest of him seemed normally proportioned. We got to talking and I finally asked him about his tiny head. He said, "Well, I got this in the war. See the enemy torpedoed my ship and I was the only survivor, thrown in the water and trying to swim to shore to save myself. A mermaid came along and safely got me to land on a small deserted island. Then she granted me 3 wishes. "First, I asked her for loads of money, so I would never have to work again. She granted me that and I became rich. Then I asked her to return me to the U.S. and poof, we were in the U.S. again. Then on my third wish, I asked the mermaid to make love to me. "She told me that mermaids can't have sex. So I asked her for a little head..... |
| - Weather Is Gorgeous |
|
|
It is 84 degrees with balmy trade winds meandering by. The humidity is low and there is no stickiness factor. The weather is so great today, that I am going to the beach! FROM THE MAILBAG Can you give me a general idea of the weather in late October in BVI? I know it's technically during hurricane "season," but is it worth making a week-long trip to BVI at that time of year? Thanks and take care, Signed, Technical Dear Technical, The weather in late October is generally quite nice and summery with cooler nights. The winds are usually gentle unless we do have a hurricane on top of us. While it is technically still hurricane season, we hardly ever get any hurricanes here, though we had a scare a few years back. I think it certainly is worth making a trip her in the fall. The Virgin Islands are a great year round destination. The odds of a hurricane during your stay are very minimal and you can buy trip insurance if it concerns you greatly. The insurance companies love to make money! See ya soon!
|
| - Bill's not here and 3 Wishes from the Mermaid |
|
|
Tropical storm Bill is dancing around the Gulf of Mexico and not a threat to the Virgin Islands. Boy, do we feel lucky! It's a bit overcast this morning, nice cool and quiet. 81 degrees and 71 percent humidity. We need rain and some showers are expected. I am thinking of buying a truck load of water, for the parched cistern, yet that usually makes it rains. So I am oscillating between ordering water and just dancing for it instead. Last weekend, 3 of my male friends went fishing. Out of the blew, they managed to catch a mermaid! She begged them to be set free and in return she would grant each of them ONE wish. The first guy just doesn't believe it and he says "If you can really grant wishes, then double my IQ." "Done!" says the mermaid and suddenly the guy starts spouting Shakespeare flawlessly and analyzing it with great insight. The second guy says, "Wow, I want you to triple my IQ!" "Done" says the mermaid. He starts to spit out mathematical solutions to all the problems that have been stumping scientists and physicists for eons. The third guys is so impressed he demands the mermaid quintuple his IQ, making his IQ five times higher. "Oh no" says the mermaid. "Not that! Wouldn't you rather have a million bucks or a new boat? Please don't make me quintuple your IQ." But the third guy insisted and would not be changed in his decision, demanding that the mermaid quintuple his IQ. "Are you SURE?" asked the mermaid. He was adamant. "OK" says the mermaid. She grants his wish, and the man turns into a woman! **********
|
| - Wet Putty Tats and 16 days of gully washers |
|
|
It is 82 degrees, 73% humidity and we are expecting a teeny tiny bit of rain. No storms are on the horizon, just another great day at the beach! Now, we have the mailbag to answer: Dear Miss Mermaid: I found this link on StormCarib.com. We're considering visiting your lovely isle in mid- to late July. We note that July typically has 16 days of rain. While brief showers are part of vacating in the tropics, we're not too intrigued at all by thunderstorms or gully washers -- heck, we can stay home for those! Can you give us a better feel for what July weather is really like? Thanks in advance. Very truly yours, Sunny Dear Sunny, I have no idea where you noted that in July we typically have 16 days of rain! Mercy! We should be so lucky, our gardens would love it! I think somewhere, where ever you found that info, that it might be very misleading. What we typically have here for rain is a shower of 5-10 minutes. This may happen once in a great while but certainly not enough (just look at my struggling oleander!) Most rain showers are very isolated, so if it is raining in West End and you don't want to wait the 5-10 minutes for it to stop, you can start driving east and typically run into sunshine rather quickly. If we were to have 16 days of gully washing down pours, it would make international news and be quite the phenomenon. I can hardly remember the last time it rained for more than an hour, much less, all day. I bet the 16 days of rain you noted somewhere, meant that on 16 days a drop of rain was recorded on the island. I guess it just goes to show that you just can't believe everything you read, even if it is on the Internet. I personally hope it does pour down rain because my cistern is looking pretty thirsty and I am a bit tired of the one quart showers we have been having until the rains do come on. Today, my little weather indicator shows rain drops instead of sunshine, and there are some clouds out there, but none of them dark and heavy and none seem to be raining anywhere. My poor kitty cat, is looking a bit dusty too. He is a strange little fellow. When ever it rains, he runs outside and gets his fur thoroughly soaked, then comes back inside and prances around until I punk up his fur by brushing it backwards for him. If he is soaked enough, then I have to get the towel out and he just loves that, as long as I punk up his fur when I am done. Then he takes a token swab here and there with his tongue and he is off to play again. He is two years old, and used to be a little pigpen, we were always saying to him, it was time to wash and he would just flip his tail at us. Then one day as a kitty, he got caught in the rain and since then, he just loves it! He would make a great boat cat, as boaters often run out in the rain and scrub their bodies, then the decks (if the rain keeps up long enough).
|
| - Why They Are So Sweet... |
|
|
Another beautiful day in paradise. Temps around low 80's with low humidity. Gentle winds of about 10 mph. No storms in sight, but we are expecting some rain to keep the islands green. Subj: Vidalia Onions, Tortola, and middle Georgia When I saw your latest message about Vidalia onions I couldn't help but write you. Although I now live in Virginia, near Richmond, my family line is from middle Georgia, in Twiggs County, near Vidalia, and from Macon, in Bibb county. My grandfather, was a railroad engineer on the Macon, Dublin, and Savannah (MD&S) railroad from 1914 until he retired in 1952. Although the railroad was never actually extended as far as Savannah from Macon (it was a very small railroad,) it did reach Vidalia, and the Macon to Vidalia run was my grandfather's normal route. One of their regular freight items was Vidalia onions. The reason vidalia onions are so sweet is because the land around Vidalia is lacking in sulfur, which is the element contributing to the "hot" (acid) taste of most onions. In fact, if Vidalia onions are grown anywhere but Vidalia, they will also be hot, because of the sulfur in the soil of the new location. So, if you're thinking of getting some Vidalia onion seeds, don't bother. On the other hand, if you can remove the sulfur content of some Tortola soil, and grow your local variety of onions in it, you might be the source of "Tortola onions" known the world around for their sweetness. Wouldn't that be interesting. Best regards, JP Our biggest problem with the soil on Tortola is that it is full of rocks and very shallow. If you dig more than a foot through this hard as nails soil, you just hit more rock. Tortolians do not grow a whole lot of food, though we do well at some things such as pineapple, banana, coconut, lime, almonds, cashews, mangoes, papayas, genips and hibiscus. Hibiscus you say? Isn't that a flower? It sure is and not only is it edible but it makes delicious tea.
|
| - Wave Goodbye To TD#2 and burping Vadalia Onions |
|
|
Eating all those Vadalia onions sure scared TD#2 into downgrading to just a tropical wave. Yee haw! Today is clear and sunny with winds wafting by at a leisurely pace. Temperature is barely above 80 with little humidity. Great day for the beach!
|
| - The Vadalia Onion Experiment |
|
|
Today it is cool and quiet with few winds and a bit overcast. Rare to see an overcast day around here! The tropical depression, named TWO, for the moment, is located about 1100 East southeast of the windward islands. It is worth watching, as we have all become complacent about storms, since so few have visited Tortola in the last decade. See the current satellite picture at Caribbean Basin Sat Will Vadalia Onions Keep us Safe from Storms? Vadalia Onions are like no other in the whole wide world. They are only grown in Vadalia, Georgia and nobody has ever been able to duplicate the onion anywhere else on the planet. Generally Vadalia Onions are only available in the South Eastern United States, but they do occasionally find themselves in farther flung markets. Vadalia Onions are the sweetest onion. Raw, they are delicious, and cooked, they impart a unique savory flavor. It is almost impossible to cry while peeling a Vadalia, they are that sweet! So why all this talk about Vadalia Onions? Well, Miss Mermaid invited her long lost brother to come visit for a few weeks in the beautiful British Virgin Islands. Since the 911 mess, of course, traveling has been different. Typically, single males, traveling solo on non-business often get a second look by immigration and customs. BVI Customs decided to search my brother's luggage. I suppose they thought he looked too pale to have a sister living in the Caribbean. They repeatedly asked him where he was staying, why he was visiting and so fourth. He politely answered their questions and let them rummage through his luggage. When they came across a brown bag full of Vadalia onions, the customs officer barked at him, "And WHAT is this?" My brother proudly announced "Vadalia Onions, sir!" The officer, rolled his eyes and promptly closed the suitcase without any further searching. For now, he knew for sure, that the man before him did indeed have a sister living in the islands. My brother was relived to be on his way and as he remarked to me later, "He didn't say a thing about the box of Yellow Grits!" Relatives, visiting the islands, often bring all manner of food stuffs as gifts for their related hosts, usually exotic American things that we can't get here or super big lots of super cheap stuff that we would normally pay a small fortune for locally. (He also brought me rewritable CD's at a 10th the cost of what I pay to buy them locally.) My thoughtful brother, knowing how much I love and miss Vadalia onions, decided to bring me a bag full as a gift. Unfortunately, he also insisted Miss Mermaid not be so greedy and share them with him as well. So everyday, no matter what we are cooking or eating, Vadalia Onions are a part of our diet and Miss Mermaid couldn't be happier! We think the Vadalia Onions will keep this storm at bay and not cause us any harm. Only time will tell. |
| - Hurricane Season and reasons to Drink Rum & Rain |
|
|
Officially hurricane season starts in June and ends in November. I dislike this term of "season" but news makers love to be sensational, so hurricane season it is. CURRENTLY, WE HAVE NO STORMS APPROACHING.
Season implies that we have hurricanes on a regular basis and of course we do not. Many hurricanes are at sea and while many readers see that as no threat, I am one who always thinks about the poor hapless seaman on a small boat somewhere who may not have state of the state of the art equipment to even know they are in the path of a storm.
(1) Immediately go to the airport (prior to the hurricane) and fly home standby.
Remove all lose debris from the yard and park your vehicle away from potential falling objects. Gather up all the coconuts you can (great for pina coladas, etc.) A flying coconut in the height of a hurricane is like having cannon balls shooting around you.
Drink rum. Pray. Drink rum. Party. Drink Rum. Pray.
Use this time wisely to shore up your place, mop up, clean up, reinforce shutters etc. Do NOT venture out in your car and do not venture more than a few feet from safety. The winds can go from zero to hundred in a matter of seconds.
This cannot be repeated enough. But with the approach of every storm, is also the showing of much machismo.
AFTER THE HURRICANE May you sail in peace (you old fool!) I planted coconut trees in memory of each and every one of you, so your memory still stands, after every storm. 
This article written by Dear Miss Mermaid
|
| Back to top |
See 
