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For the most recent reports from the BVI see this page.
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- Tropical Depression Three
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:44:11 EDT
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We are working on the formatting problem here. Sorry for the
confusion...
Tropical Depression Three dumped tons of rains on the Virgin Islands.
Now it's over the Bahamas making a mess there.
Sorry about that! But here's a report from Bullwinkle:
As TD-3 developed in the eastern Caribbean there is no
denying it deposited a huge flush of rain on the Virgin Islands and the Turks
and Caicos! Some areas accumulated upwards of 10
inches...
Needless to say this was carried in with some
horrendous thunderstorms that brought along some downburst winds just to keep it
interesting.. Yikes!
Invest 98, now in the Bay of Campeche carries with it
a 50% chance of further development however it is running out of water over
which to intensify. That is not to say it won't make life difficult
south of the Rio as it enters Mexico. Previously flooded areas are
about to take another blow so I hope folks are a long way back from the
river?
TD-3, by all models it is supposed to head through the
Florida Straights into the Gulf of Mexico? Those in the Bahamas can
expect some brisk winds and very heavy rains until it leaves the
area.
If, if if if, it does follow the published
guesstimations, it will bring strong winds and very heavy rains in excess of 5
inches to the Keys all the way out to Key West.
Here I go again, I think, (dangerous) that it will
head inland over eastern Cuba and dissipate within the next 24
hours? I don't just throw dust up in the air when I come up with my
scatter brain thoughts but, forecast winds, a High over the SE US gives me
reason to believe it will be forced to the due west into Cuba? OK, I have
50/50 odds .....
It is moving right along at 15 mph so we will all know
the reality within 24 hours. (That will also give me enough time to change my
mind  )
Those experts, the pretty folks on TV and those that
live in dark places in their shirts and ties believe this system will become
TS-Bonnie? Maybe, maybe not? I will give you
the information provided by the professionals and you will have everyone's
guesses?
In any event, be prepared for the worst and hope for
the best! Always keep an eye to weather and be safe out there.
Hey, go into stormCARIB, Tortola, DearMissMermaid, buy her book and laugh away
the storms "Hurricanes and Hangovers") Max 
WOW thanks for the good
word!
Dear Miss Mermaid
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- Ouch!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:11:50 EDT
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This is the dismasted boat pic dat Wayward Sailor promised us. It looks
just like my friend's custom built catamaran from a few year's back. Has
he returned from England already? I must contact Wayward Sailor and see if
he can find out for me.
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- Ketchup-Catch-Up
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:22:33 EDT
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Not sure where da mermaid has gone to but I'll send in another report
anyway!
Rained all day Tuesday and all night. Had at least 7 inches in 24
hours and while we do have a few minutes of sun now, the clouds are moving in
and the radar and Sat images indicate we will hav e another day of rain possibly
on and off IF we are lucky.
All the Virgin Islands had heavy rain including the USVI where many reports
of heavy flooding in different areas. Can't tell much about BVI since I'm
on a boat but I can say that travel has been much lighter based on the few autos
I see running up and down the main road between the Airport and Road Town.
Have a bit of gas to run the generator later today as I'm sure the sun is
only here for a short visit today.
Trying to stay dry and hope da Chief Mermaid is OK.
Later da Wayward Sailor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
tue 20
Another wet looking day! At 9AM we have no Sun, just brighter
clouds mixed with darker ones. Just
had a small quall cell move through but it was less to it than those we had late
Monday night when the boat was rocking and rolling. Funny thing is last night my Skype
headset seems to have succumbed to the boating life and I was trying the Video
which I had only used on land previously.
As I was talking with the video on, it was pointed out to me that a
picture on the cabin wall was swinging over my head with 15 degree swings to
each side on occasions.
Temps are now in low 80’s and a mist is in the air most
of the time. We are seeing an
occasional breakout of blue sky to the South East but it is gray in all other
directions. Sat images indicate we
have another front moving in… nothing new there! Guess this would be a great day if you
were a Duck!
Well, on the other hand maybe not! A couple of weeks ago a friend and I
were having a nice lunch aboard the good ship when a small foul flew by. I was asked if it was a duck. It was and it was the small type we in
the states call a Wood Duck as apposed to more colorful Mallards but they seem
smaller here in da islands… maybe they are adolescents? A few days later I discovered the had a
nest or gathering area just on Red Rock Reef in front of my boat. I observed several flying in and a few
flying out as they typically passed the boat Starboard to Starboard as any good
mariner would do and was easily observed.
About the end of last week the winds were so I was pointed away from them
when setting in the cockpit with my back to the wind, I saw several fly by very
low and close to the boat and a couple of others heading to Buck Island doing
all sorts of weaving and dodging about.
Thought it was interesting and a bit odd but not much more at the
time. After a bit, I turned and
looked forward toward the reef and saw a large Hawk perched on a small mangrove
branch. I figured that was the
reason they all flew away. Then I
noticed it was pecking at its feet… well when I got my field glasses out I
determined it was not cleaning its toe nails it was eating one of the
ducks! The remainder of the group,
have not returned to the area.
Attaching a photo of this AM’s view of Red Rock Reef
where the duck area was and one 180 degrees away showing the squall that just
passed us in the bay and just past East End. Some very high clouds with thunder and
lightning occurring are hanging about to our West and moving away.
Looks like another day to kill off another book! Will need to get wet to go ashore and
get Gas for the generator.. all dry tanks and no sun for the solar panels so it
is a wet sailor I’ll be later this AM
Da Wayward Sailor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday after noon
Sunday mid AM actually had some Sun... Wow! But it did not last
long... by 2 PM is was rain and winds, this time from the East and what looks
like a large front moving in from the Atlantic. We look to be into it for
the night and probably some of the AM Monday. Getting lots of gust well
over 20 knots but most of wind is down to the mid teens and rain comes and goes
but seems to always come back just about the time the hatches are vented.
Attached is a photo of a boat assisted in just before 3 PM during a heavy
rain. Top 1/3 of mast broke and is hanging to Starboard with the
Jenney. Noted the Main was in the sail bag but they may have been motor
sailing with the Jenny and got a wind burst the broke the mast. Appears to
have been two couples on the small catamaran. No injuries were noted and
after collecting their "stuff" all appeared more than ready to spend a
night ashore in a hotel with a bar near by.
later
da Wayward Sailor attempting to keep dry...and not blown away
***Photos coming soon...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Miss Mermaid apologizes... she got lost and internet wasn't
working, nor phone, so she was off the grid. Check her other blog for
foolishness!
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- Iggy the Mascot on Tortola
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:40:24 EDT
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I am presently out on Great Caminoe Island, doing a little cat and
house sitting. Really getting tossed around in the wind. White caps in the
swimming pool. We've had quite a few squalls blow through here the last couple
of days. This one that just hit as I am writing had to have packed some 40-50
mile winds.
I believe that the picture da Wayward Sailor posted is of
"Iggy" the Penns Landing mascot. His grandfather was the big guy that came for
Christmas in our apartment. lol.
Missa Lissa
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- Get ready for the pre-storm in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 11:19:01 EDT
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TROPICAL WAVE...
East of the Leeward
Islands with the usual disorganized showers and thunderstorms... Watch
out Virgin Islanders! Gusty winds and rainfall are headed your way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(\_~~~~~~~~~~
Had a heck of a Squall move through last
evening. Later saw they had issued a fast update.... to late for anyone to
see that the winds would be up to 34 knots or higher in a cell... That is about
40MPH for da landlubbers. We had a significant drop in temp after the day
of overcast and humid conditions with NO Sun. After the Temp drop, we
started getting increasing winds then the rains hit hard and winds continued to
increase. I would estimate we had at least 36 knot winds from the South
SouthEast and we even swung South West for a while. After about 30 or so
minutes of the really heavy stuff the winds died and we had light rain for an
hour. It was then dead calm. Bay was like dark glass, boats pointing
in all directions including the two large container Cargo carriers raffted
together in the bay. Had a few bugs during the calm but think most
had been blown away. Night remained cooler than typical but no more storms
and not any rain on me.
We look to have another band move over us
later today or tonight according to the Sat Views and most weather
reports. Hope it is not as bad. Think a few boats may have had some
minor damage due to not being fully prepared for the level of intensity we
actually had.
Going to look at a Hurricane Hole with a
friend later today. She is considering placing her boat in early and going
home for a while as she has had enough being kicked around by the winds and seas
for one season. She had been attempting to make a run down islands and got
caught up in a couple of fronts that knocked her back after 3 days trying and
damaged 3 of her sails.
I would like to get a look at the place,
just to have another possible hiding place for later this year if I need it and
am close enough to use it.
Later da Wayward Sailor
PS Glad someone had a photo of one of
the iguanas at Penn's Landing. That was not the one I saw but
similar. The one I saw was a bit larger and had a green head and very
muskluar around the front half of his body with longer peaks on the head and
back... and much bigger feet! He sounded like several people tap dancing
on the wood dock as he scurried along.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(\_~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Paraquita Bay is much closer and far safer than Hurricane
Hole, but you have to move in there early, and then move off the boat, until the
storm passes. Take it from Dear Miss Mermaid, who has personally gone
through several hurricanes and himmacanes with her old sailboat.
Remember, everything has to come off of your deck before a
hurricane, and that will pretty much fill up the cabin of your boat, hence
moving off to safer location like a friend with a concrete house or room.
Every year when I lived aboard, I asked various friends the
"what if" should a storm come our way. That way I already had a safe hidy
hole to stay in, that was off my boat and I was out begging for shelter at the
last minute.
A dear friend in St John had agreed that I had a standing
invitation to his home, in the event of a storm scare. He had a grand
piano. It was surreal, to be playing his grand piano by candlelight, while
the hurricane howled around us. I sure do miss having a real piano to play. My
boat was not insured and tucked away in a bay I couldn't see from his house. My
stomach churned and the piano playing calmed me down.
Last Christmas, I sat down to a real piano at a friend's
house, and played dozens of Christmas Carols by his roaring fire while he
decorated for the holidays. I had not played Christmas Carols nor the piano in
AGES, but my fingers eventually warmed up and began to remember how to tickle
the ivories. When I was growing up, my mother bought stacks of Christmas music
books, both easy and difficult, for me to learn to play. It was a welcome break
from the classical routine I was schooled in. Come October of each year, she
handed the Christmas books to my teacher, so that by December, I could actually
play festive music for her ears.
I sure can ramble on...
from Dear Miss Mermaid
A plea to my readers... If you have read my book "Hurricanes
and Hangovers" please consider posting a written review at Amazon.
A big hug and a super big thanks.
Also, send a picture of yourself or your friend somewhere in
the world, reading my book, I'm trying to collect pictures from all over.  They will be put
together on a fun web page soon.
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- More Iguanas on Tortola
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 09:32:26 EDT
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Another wet windy start of a day. Squally conditions are expected to
continue for a couple of days but hopefully will ease up by Mid Week.
Didn't get any real sun Friday and today's chances are not looking all that
great at this point although I did see a bit of Blue Sky in the East last
evening just before sundown. Tropnet Radar shows a big blob moving over
the Virgin Islands heading West and the lower level winds here at the surface
are from the South East. Temps are comfortable mid 80's and probably will
not get any higher without some sun. Seas are kicked up during the squalls
but when they pass all calms down to a 2 to 4 foot state with few white
caps. No big storms are anticipated for the next 48 hours according to the
weather services for our area.
Think I'll make a run into Road Town later this AM and pick up a few boat
things and have a good sticky bun and coffee at the bakery. I've been
doing this on Wednesdays when possible but missed my trip this week, so today is
hopefully going to dry out so I can catch the Bus with out getting too
wet.
later da Wayward Sailor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AnnMarie who was recently at Penns Landing, has contributed these
Iguana photos she took there.
Iguanas are vegetarian, so they have no interest in biting humans.
Unless... you are wearing bright red toe nail polish. Yes!
They sometimes mistake the bright red toe nails for delicious red berries.
So while visiting the Caribbean, wear non-berry colored toe nail
polish.
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- Fried Daze with da big Iguana in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:09:13 EDT
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Locally Squally Weather is forecast for the remainder of the week into
early next week. Had a few cells pass through last night kicking up the
seas but soon passed.
This AM had a mix of showers and overcast sky but a few rays of Sun are
making themselves known. With the winds at about 15 knots, things dry out
fast. Expecting the seas to keep up a bit and be uncomfortable within the
squall as they pass. Looks like a great day to take a few naps!
Think I may start after I finish the coffee.
Had a visitor walk up behind me yesterday while at the Red Rock Cafe at Penn's Landing.... well
crawled up is probably more accurate. About a 3 to 4 foot iguana nice and
green was prancing about the docks... of course I did not have the camera with
me and soon it decided to take a swim. This was the first time I've had
the chance to see one of the large Tortola iguana's take a swim in the clear
waters of the marina... geez are they fast when they want to be! Maybe
I'll get lucky and get a shot of one soon to share. Several are said to
live in a tree just off the marina and frequently visit when the docks are less
busy.
later da Wayward Sailor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I talked to the Wayward Sailor LIVE today via Skype. I sure
do miss him. We had oodles of fun in the BVI together.
Ironically, I just spent the last week in Michigan with BVI cruisers,
who also have a boat and home in Tortola. It was terrific, they fully
understood my island ways, my lack of a watch, clueless to what day
it was and traveling in a "land yacht" that is as fickle as small
craft in high seas.
By that I mean, several times I have planned to arrive at one place,
and ended up in another. But I just go with the flow. One of my
misadventures ended in such a cool place, in Coolville. (I kid you
not, it was named Coolville. )
Maybe some hippie named it in the 60's. It was way cool too. I
loved it and spent 4 days there, rather than the unplanned one nighter.
Half my life seems to be planning one thing, but doing another.
Spontaneity is fun! Try it sometime, you might find yourself on a grand
adventure.
Surprises are fun. I'm surprised I'm still alive, it was just
a year ago, I was rushed by ambulance to ICU at Peebles hospital, where I
unintentionally took up residence for nearly a month. I am soooooooooooo
grateful for all my angels, thankful to wake up another day in a beautiful world
with lovely people and a silly puppy who reminds me often, we need to play more
and worry less.
Stop and smell the flowers. Life is good.  And so far, no
hurricanes on the horizon headed our way. PHEW!
More of my misadventures are at:
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- BVI High Winds
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:47:57 EDT
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This AM started off WET as usual for the past week. Sun and clouds
fight for space in the sky but the clouds seem to be on the winning side so
far. Internet keeps going in and out... been attempting to get this report
out for past 4 hours but just as I'm about to send... it goes dead and I loose
everything! Temps are moderate and in the mid 80's with a nice fresh
breeze of 14+ knots. Very comfortable unless you are in a place the
mosquitoes can find a place to hide from the wind and come out and attack you
when your not looking! They have found a few places on the boat and I have
to spray to kill them off at night prior to going to bed for the night.
Seems we have several other fronts moving through and Small Craft
Advisories are up for 4 to 8 foot seas with winds of 14 to 21 Knots with gust
higher. Last night I know we had a few over 20 knots as the boats danced
on the moorings here in Fat Hogs Bay East End. I'm actually at Penn's
Landing, just had a great hot shower and now fighting the ISPs for internet
connectivity. My normal direct dial up ISP had no internet connection most
of AM and the WIFI's seem to also be dropping out frequently. Hopefully I
can finally get a report off!
Watched some DVD's last night with popcorn in the cockpit... the only
problem was I had to "guard" the popcorn to keep it from blowing away.
Wonder how the fish like those that got away? Also had a mix of Cashews
and Dried Hibiscus... yep dried Hibiscus flowers... really great stuff!!
Special friend borough them for me. You can get semi dried Hibiscus
flowers for making a really great tea at Sunny Carib a local and famous Spice
and Speciality company located down down and in other locations around the
island and their products are in many other stores.
Have some Sun Tea making over the companion way hatch now. Should be
about ready when I return to the boat later this afternoon. Keeping fluids
in you is an ongoing concern as the heat can burn it out of you in no time if
you are not careful.... and even da Wayward Sailor knows that a good cool glass
of tea is often better than a beer or Rum in the heat of the day!
Now let us see if this one can make it to the internet!!!
later da Wayward Sailor
Dear Miss Mermaid makes hibiscus tea from the day old flowers. They
fold up after one day, so she picks them, washes them, then brews them into tea.
Typically it is a deep purple tea, but when you add lemon juice, it changes to a
delightful bright pink color. The taste is awesome.
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- Wednesday already in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:35:43 EDT
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No storms on the horizon, all is well.
Our correspondents are scattered! Mermaid Gardener flew north to
Minnesota. Wayward Sailor went sailing, but is presumably, still in the BVI.
Dear Miss Mermaid is on the Great Lakes.
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- Tuesday the 13th in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:38:23 EDT
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Was a Wet wake up this AM with strong winds and very large rain drops
coming in through the open hatch in the Masters Cabin and on to my face!
Another rain drill, closing the hatches in the almost dark. Only lasted
about 10 minutes then the sun fought with the clouds for billing in the sky.....
think it was a close tie so far!
Several fronts are moving up through the area over the next week.
Winds are brisk at between 14 and 21 knots with higher gust. At times it
would be hard to do detailed work inside the moored boat but great for sleeping
or just doing little jobs or a short read. Sky's will be mixed with rain
showers, clouds and some sun. Hopefully enough for the solar cells to keep
the frig going through the day and I can boost it if needed at night with the
Honda 2000i and maybe watch a DVD or two. Great selection here at Penn's
Landing and I have a few a friend gave me. May delay my trip back to St.
John USVI for a few days to allow the weather to take a break and slow
down. Attaching a few photos of the area including what is rumored to be
the office of a Pirate/ Wayward Sailor, and an example of how true love
can over come all physical, emotional and even mineral
differences. Ever see the Michelin Tire Guy sky surfing?
later
da Wayward Sailor
Surfing the sky in the BVI!
Wayward Sailor's temporary office
Dear Miss Mermaid is on walkabout in Michigan or somewhere near
there.
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- Thieving!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:07:21 EDT
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Sunday and Monday started out about the same, a few short light showers
then partly cloudy with haze. Sunday had strong winds. While at da
Loose Mongoose, winds were gusting at over 18 knots, the sand was blowing into
the beer I was crying into! Yep da Wayward Sailor does on occasion cry...
had a special friend going away for a while... too long in fact, but like almost
everyone else, once you have been to da islands, mon you gotta come back
soon!
Looks like the week will look the same, winds between 14 and 21 knots with
seas between 4 and 6 feet, showers in AM and thunder storms in evening.
But we will have nice sun for some great activities for those who get out and
about. Personally, I have a few boat projects I need to attend to and then
possibly a quick run to USVI later this week or weekend.
I may stop in for a visit with Sara. I've been attempting to get a
photo of her for some time but she is rather difficult to get a shot of. I
do have a couple of her relatives photographed but she is harder to get.
You ask who is Sara? Well Sara is a thief and DMM will hopefully post a
link so you can see a bit I put together about her. An interesting
character for sure in an are full of characters!
da Wayward Sailor
NOTE: Our apologies for those of you named Sara who are
not thieves...
Sara is a Thief
Sara has stolen many hearts from men and women, boys and girls.
Problem is that “hearts” is NOT the Only thing Sara steals!
Sara is a redhead. You can often see her standing tall just off the
beach at Lienster Bay St. John, USVI at the Virgin Islands National Park
overlooking Waterlemon Cay. Sara is however not a beach person, not a
sunbather nor a swimmer or snorkeler. She “works” the beach…. She is a
thief but a charming one.
The beach is very popular being one of the best snorkeling spots in the
Virgin Islands. Only access is by boat or a hike along what was the Old
Danish Highway… basically a donkey path. It is located on the North
Eastern part of St. John, just across from Tortola in the British Virgin
Islands. From the parking area near the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins a walk
of about a mile will bring you to Sara’s home and place of business…. If being a
Thief is a business. No facilities are available at this location, just a
few moorings off shore for boats, no anchoring is allowed as it is a National
Marine Park but small dinks are allowed to beach in the same area as the hiker
day visitors gather for a day of snorkeling and sunning. No one lives here
except for some sailors on their boats who are allowed a few days to visit the
park and many of these know Sara by name and reputation as an adept thief, but
she is a charming thief and sailors can deal with such.
The “ability to deal with it” is not always true of the non-sailor beach
goers!!! On more than one occasion, da Wayward Sailor has overheard arguments
among beach goers, who in accusing tones, ask if near by beach goers have
“messed with” their stuff.
It is “normal” practice for the non-sailor beach goers to come prepared for
the day. They bring snorkels, mask, fins, drinks, food and all types of
beach supplies. Since many are tourist, they sometimes bring items to the
beach they probably should have left behind, including money, important
documents such as Passports, watches, rings and other valuables.
They get settled in, spread their towels, get into their snorkeling gear
and plod off into the water for an hour or more of very interesting underwater
sightseeing. Many see things they never have before seen, such as large
Green Turtles, Hawksbills Turtles, large Starfish, huge schools of fish that
block your view, octopus, squid, Tarpon, Blue Tangs, Parrot Fish,
Barracuda, rays including a large spotted Leopard Ray and occasionally a Remora
which everyone initially thinks is a 5 foot shark.
What they do not see is Sara watching them form the Manchineel trees (Death
Apple Tree), just off the sandy beach. Sara is smart. She will watch
the visitors arrive, watch them setting up their “beach camp”, watch them
putting on the odd looking face mask, fins and putting snorkels into their
mouth. Sara never swims in the bay. Sara knows her place is on the
land and knows where fresh water is to be found to drink and has no use for salt
water.
Sara will watch, sometimes standing, sometimes laying flat just a few feet
away from the potential victims, hidden by her stealth and heavy overgrowth just
off the beach. She knows these people will look to the sea and not to the
thick Manchineel and Maho growth just a foot or more behind them. When all
from one “Camp” are in the water and swimming away, she first checks the near by
camps. These people are also always looking at the sea. Only when it
is clear will Sara make her move. With a quick dash with no sound being
made, she will be among the camps items. She knows which packages most likely
have what she is searching for.
With out a sound, Sara will open closed containers and zipped backpacks,
pull out and discard what is not wanted until she has her prize. She then
rushes back to her place behind the Manchineel, behind some old ruins off the
walking path. This is one of her homes. It is food that Sara has
learned to savor form the coolers and backpacks. She will share with
others, smaller than and not as wise as she. For some unknown reason, Sara
loves sandwiches with Mayo… no lettuce or tomato, some meat is fine.
When the swimmers return they find their “camp” in disarray. Clothing
that had been neatly folded and placed in a bag is out in the sand.
Wallets, money, watches and jewelry are scattered about the towels and
sand. The swimmer’s first thought is someone has gone through their
property and they are often angry and ask near by visitors if they had seen
anyone “mess” with their stuff. When told by the near by beach goers that
they saw nothing and looking at the large mess they returned to… they wonder
“How could that be?” It is usually when several other camps suffer similar
faiths, it becomes clear that a
Thief is among them. No one seems to
draw any conclusion about no “valuables” being missing.
As the day moves on and Sara repeatedly ply’s her trade, only when some
watchful person diverts their eyes from the sea to the rear of the beach may
they catch a glimpse and observes Sara. Possibly slower by having a bit
too much to eat, she is spotted!!!
Then an odd thing occurs…. The Theft Victims are no longer angry!
Other non-victims attempt to give Sara food. But Sara is proud! She
does not take handouts. Sara is a Thief and can get what she needs.
Sara is a Redhead. She is smart and Sara is a mongoose.
Da Wayward Sailor considers Sara to be a friend and she must feel the same
as she never objects to his passing through her home or watching her do her
watching. She does not even seem to mind when he tells others about
her. He isn’t on the beach very often and plenty of food is always
available. I’m sure Sara thinks da Wayward Sailor is one of the more odd
of the humans that pass through her area… he lives on a boat that floats on the
salt water… how odd is that to a mongoose?
{DMM please post photo at end of story... key is
to not show who/ what Sara is until the end.}
(whispers) OK
signed Dear Miss Mermaid
LOL!
That is one crafty thief! Or as we say in the islands "t'ief!"
LOL!
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- Lovely Sunday
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:52:24 EDT
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It's such a gorgeous day in the BVI today, that all the correspondents have
gone sailing or to the beach.
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- Turtle Eggs at Smugglers Cove!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:08:57 EDT
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Good Morning on this lovely Saturday.
Dear Miss Mermaid was correct in saying that probably all her
correspondence pals were at da beach!! Friday was a perfect day to pack a picnic
lunch with some cold beverages and sweets.
Myself and a friend took the day off and went to Smuggler's Cove for the
afternoon. What a glorious day at the beach. Upon arriving at the
beach we spotted a huge HawksBill/Leather Back turtle coming up on the beach to
find a place to lay her eggs. This was the largest turtle I've ever
seen. The authorities came out to document her egg location. It
became evident that she was unable to find the perfect spot to lay her eggs and
off she went back into the sea. We all are hoping that she will come
ashore again and find just that right spot.
The afternoon was filled with swimming, and sunning in the sand.
Lunch was a mix of fun foods, some brought from home, tomato/calamada olive
tapenade on sun dried tomato crakers, humas, a fabulous beach hot dog,
refreshing cold beverages and to top all that off a smore cookie from the bakery
in Roadtown. Truly wonderful.
Ended up over at Crusin's Bar at Carrot Bay. Saw Lena the
owner/manager, chatted, cooled off and then had a yummy dinner at Palms
Delight.
Palms Delight had great local food. I had the Ginger Chicken which
was recommended to me by my dear friend who has a restaurant here in the
BVI. My friend had the local steamed fish. How about Blue Runner, I
didn't try it but was told that it was really good. We both had the Fungi,
had never had it before so it was really funky. A mixture of cornmeal and
Okra. I was surprised, I enjoyed it but only ate part of it, the
proportions of food we had were quite large. Sunset was beautiful another
stunning sunset to always remember.
All and all the day was lovely. Wish that the turtle had been able to
lay her eggs, but I'm sure mother nature will kick in and she will find just the
right home for her eggs.
Enjoy your Saturday!!
the Mermaid Gardener
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- Saturdaze
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:46:06 EDT
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Dear
Miss Mermaid,
I’m
sorry to hear about some of those dust devils stirring up from Africa. If they
could only reforest that big patch of sand, maybe some of those dust particles
would stay put!
Back
home I have to contend with plenty of BP “sun tan” lotion – it’s selling
very cheaply and sometimes pay for you to use it, works well!
Oh
well what’s the best waterfront property anyway? – a
boat!
Amen to dat! Love dem boats, especially on the water. Many in the BVi
are up on the hard, for the so-called hurricane and himmacane season. That just
leaves more room for the rest of us to sail around!
Dear Miss Mermaid...
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- Fried Day BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 11:26:26 EDT
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Ooops!
Our local correspondents have sailed off the edge of the ocean (they said
it was flat...)
Dear Miss Mermaid drove off into wanderland (and wonders where she
wanders)
Harley the puppy doesn't type yet.
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, here's White Bay Sandcastle at 11:15am
TODAY.
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- Thursday already
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 10:00:38 EDT
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Thursday Morning
Skies are hazy, winds light and the sun is up. A good day to get a
tan and while having a great sail. Last night had a small rain squall come
over me and dropped or should I say just dripped a bit. Nothing noteworthy
on the amount of rain fall. I'm sure my rain gauge is dry.
Yesterday took off and went for a lovely swim at Long Bay Beach on Beef
Island. The beach on one end was full of folks from San Juan. Many
kids frolicking in the water, but we did have a warning sign about jelly
fish. While walking I was constantly looking downward at my feet and when
I was swimming I was looking out for them as well. Have heard that there
are jelly fish at Norman and a couple of other places. Tiss the time of
year for Jelly fish. The water was lovely and warm. Might head back to the beach
today for a nice tropical Caribbean swim.
As I was walking on the beach I stumbled upon this ancient ruin. Not
sure how old it is and which tribe or ancient civilization could have made the
ruin but left it on the beach knowing that other sailors might enjoy seeing
ancient Caribbean ruins.
the Mermaid Gardener
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- thunder in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2010 20:33:11 EDT
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Good Morning from very gloomy Tortola,
This morning there was no sunrise to be seen here. We have cloudy
grey skies. The current temperature at 7am is 84 degrees, winds are light
at 13mph. Seas do not look too choppy. But there was thunder off in
the distance. The radar has been showing hit or miss showers in the
region. I'm sure that we are in store for more rain on and off
today.
Yesterday the day started out beautiful and sunny but soon turned cloudy
with showers. The wave we were expecting was coming through. Checked
my rain gauge and here in East End we received 1/2" of rain. We needed the rain,
things were starting to dry out again. Now all my flowers especially my Zinnia's
are happy. Last night I was able to fall asleep listening to the
frogs and crickets singing. The plants and some of the critters are happy
for the rain.
Time to heat up some water for breakfast tea.
the Mermaid Gardener
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- Mon Daze, it's July 5th in the Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 09:46:00 EDT
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Another tropical wave of the far eastern Caribbean Sea is producing
disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the Lesser Antilles. Heavy rainfall
and gusty winds are possible. Watch out Virgin Islands, beware of rock
slides! This looks like it could huff and puff and turn into a bad storm
as it travel northwest.
From Dear Miss Mermaid
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Here's the stars in the 4th of July celebrations. Just finished
up making sweet pickle Star fruit. My kitchen smelled just like my
Grandmothers kitchen years ago in the heat of the day canning.
the
Mermaid Gardener
Yum! Sweet pickle starfruit sounds delightful.
By the way, Gert, the wonderful
webmaster of StormCarib.com is searching high and low for hurricanes.
Currently he is on a research cruise in the Arctic. Good heavens, talk
about extremes... Here is his view of things, updated every
hour:
The really sad part of his research ship is that NO RUM is
allowed. Poor Gert.  He didn't make up that
silly rule, the Coast Guard did. Wonder what they do for fun?
Well Dear Miss Mermaid has to go walk the puppy doggy and every
bone in her body aches, while puppy is full of vim and vinegar, ready to
tackle the world with frenetic energy. 
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- A WHAT floating down the channel???
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2010 22:36:23 EDT
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Sorry for missing out on the past few days... had a camels hoof caught in
my throat... Actually all the Sahara Dust we have been having seems to
have attempted to make a home in my sinus cavity and has cause a major sore
throat and night sweats and chills. Good thing I'm on a boat by myself
incase it is actually a cold but think it is just post nasal drip from all the
darn dust. I is hell getting OLD and becoming more sensatative to things
that didn't seem to bother you when you were younger!
We have had
some significant sunshine but it has been filtered through the Sahara
Dust. Visibility when I made my way down the channel a couple of days ago
was under 2 miles today it is a little better. Winds and seas have been
light and variable but should be increasing to 12 to 19 knot winds and 3 to 5
and 4 to 6 foot seas my mid week. We also have this ugly blob of weather
moving in from the South East that no one seems to think is important except us
in the Caribbean where it will be by later this week and next weekend!
Today it was warm and sunny with light winds and light seas... a great beach or
boating day! Wish I had some BBQ!!!!
My duty as a National
Parks Service Host will end Monday and I'll again be a bit more free to move
about, which will be nice but I have enjoyed volunteering for the Park Service
assisting other boaters and land visitors to my bay. Will miss many of
them but have developed contacts with some who are now considered old
friends.
Did notice one thing that was a bit odd today... a house
floating down the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Had nice sliding glass doors
which allowed me to view through the house to the other side. It was
yellow with a white roof and what appeared to be standard windows and doors from
any home you would see.... on land!!! NOT at Sea!!! I watched it get
tossed about by the wake of one of the Ferry boats who seem to make it their job
to attempt to damage any boat they pass. I feared the house would fold up
and simply go under.... thankfully it did not and after a bit of violent
pitching about continued on its way. I have NO idea why anyone would put a
house like that into a sea lane. Freeboard looks to be under 2 feet and it
appeared to be on two pontoons with some type engine moving it. A small
dink was towed behind. Attaching a photo we hope DMM will be able to
upload. It was really an odd thing to see motoring by.
later
da Wayward Sailor
Lawdy mercy Wayward Sailor, I thought for sure you were smoking some of
that local herb when I read about that house going down the
channel... But you got the pics, so I believe ya now! *tee hee
hee*
Next we going to be reading about how someone in St John had their house
stolen...
Maybe somebody wanted to live at sea and didn't quite understand the
concept. Some folks just gotta take it all with them, in this case, the
whole house too!
I know all about those ferocious ferry wakes. When I had my mooring in Cruz
Bay, St John, the wakes were pretty violent sometimes, and often first thing in
the morning. I attached a special metal coffee pot holder to my stove, that
gripped the espresso pot. I used to call it the "Cruz Bay Coffee
Tamer" cause without it, the ferries would dump my espresso pot of coffee
all over the boat, in spite of the gimbaled stove, which just couldn't keep up
with the wicked ferry wakes.
*wink wink* from dat crazy Dear Miss Mermaid
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- Happy 4th of July to the USA, Happy 5th of July to the BVI!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2010 11:49:48 EDT
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Today will be a hit for both sailors and us land lubbers. The
skies are bright still a slight bit of haze but not bad. I can see
St. John today haven't seen it in 3 days. A great day for sailing
winds are light not gusty but seem to be picking up a bit. Have
taken my pool solar blanket off and did not fly away on a gust of
wind. A spectacular day to be at the pool. It will be a hot
one! Have not heard if any ex pats are getting together for a BBQ
but down here things can come together in a quick moment. Maybe I
will even have a BBQ later on today with friends.
Enjoy my
Red, White and Blue BVI 4th of July tribute!
the Mermaid
Gardener
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- BVI visitor
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2010 11:54:41 EDT
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EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! A tropical visitor shows up in the house!
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You never know who your guests can be until all of a sudden they
literally drop in. While talking with a friend from the states this
morning I hear...kersplat!!!! Something fell on the floor. I
look around the living room and see this cute pencil thin tropical
snake. At first I thought he was dead but then after recovering from
his fall from the ceiling he started to slither quickly away. Didn't
scream when I saw it.....thought oh great maybe he will eat up the
mosquito's that have been harassing me. As a gardener things like
small dinky snakes don't bother me. I know that in the big picture
they are our friends and do their part in helping keep down small
insects. So got a broom and dust pan pushed him away from the
house. Hopefully he will find a new place to hangout instead of my
living room ceiling.
It's hazy, sunny with haze, warm and we have a
breeze out of the southeast. Good day for swimming in the pool and
catching up on other household things.
the Mermaid
Gardener
Dear Miss Mermaid would have screamed! She doesn't care for
slinky slimy snakes in any shape or form (and neither did her
cats..)
Sahara Dust has laid a thick cover over the Sir Francis Drake
Channel
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- Sahara Dust in the air in the BVI *cough cough cough
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 10:07:10 EDT
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Where's St. John? Cannot see it at all today. The Sun is
out bright but hazy, you can still get a sunburn with filtered sun.
I'm planning on heading over to the beach this afternoon so sunscreen will
be in my beach bag. The ocean water temperatures have been quite
warm and the locals are all talking about it. This week when I was
at the beach I have to admit the ocean was warm, very
relaxing.
Last evening after the heat of the day cooled down I went
to work trying to figure out how to make Star Fruit chutney. Had
gotten a few Star fruit from a friend of mine. I figured that
chutney might be fun to try to make. Gathered up what I thought I
might need and started to hot process of cooking it down and canning
it. The aroma was gingery spicy and sweet at the same time.
Added pineapple, ginger, apricots, raisins, onions, lime juice, brown
sugar. Cooked it down, kept cooking, had a cold beverage while I was
stirring and waiting for the chutney to soften. Once it was soft,
did my hot water bath canning thing, just like grandma used to do.
Hope the Star fruit chutney is good...... will be using with fish, Roti,
chicken and other Caribbean dishes. Tortola has plenty of fun places
for Roti....most bar type of restaurants have it. If you are down
here and have not ordered it try it. A great Caribbean dish.
the
Mermaid Gardener
 Starfruit Chutney made locally by Mermaid
Gardener
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- Bye Bye Alex!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 08:04:20 EDT
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Himmicane Alex dissimilates over the mountains of Mexico. Yippee! One
down... many to go...
Here in the BVI it is sunny but hazy. The water is warm and crystal clear.
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- Where the heck am I?
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 09:50:14 EDT
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Woke this morning to hazy filtered sun. The
temperature is 83 degrees but it feel hotter than that. Winds 14-19
knots, winds are directly out of the east. For those who are going
to be sailing towards the west it could be a fun sail, but those heading
up to the east they will be beating into the wind. Have noticed that
Cooper has been quite busy over the past 3-4 days. Even Peter island has
had a fair amount of boats at anchor. Marina Cay yesterday looked a
bit quieter than the past few days. Have checked the Sahara
dust web site that Dear Miss Mermaid has and we are starting to get
hit by a fair amount of dust. You can definitely see the mess headed
our way. |
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- Himmacane Alex
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:51:32 EDT
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Yesterday spent a lovely time with a friend touring the Botanical gardens
again. It was the first time for my friend to actually go in and see the
gardens. Many people just pass by the gardens or don't even get up to them
while they are in Roadtown. It's worth going and seeing some of the exotic
plants that have been donated to the gardens.
After our lovely tour of the gardens we drove down to La Dolce Vita Ice
cream shop, now that's a must do when you are in Roadtown. Especially if
you are hot and sweaty!!!
Enjoy the eye tropical eye candy!
the Mermaid Gardener  
La Dolce Vita has the best homemade ice cream on earth! Dear Miss
Mermaid was sick when her friends came by with some "get well" La Dolce
Vita ice cream. It was heaven on earth, the best stuff I have ever tasted.
It took my fever away, and I never wanted any other ice cream since. The store
bought brands made hundreds or thousands of miles away, just can't even begin to
compete with their magical recipes.
The botanical gardens is another magical spot. My first visit there was at
night, during a fund raiser concert. I went back the next day. Several times
when the hot and humid mess of Road Town traffic was stressing me out, I snuck
into the gardens and felt true peace again.
Himmacane Alex is 220 miles southeast of Brownsville Texas and not a threat
to the Virgin Islands. The hurricane season has started early, brace yourself,
it's going to be a busy one!
Dear Miss Mermaid is on walkabout, doing a book tour but headed back to the
BVI soon.
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- Sunny daze in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:34:52 EDT
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This morning is starting out to be a lovely day. Sunny skies
with
typical Tortola clouds, no real rain threat maybe just a
passing
shower here or there. Not much haze either so a great
day to go to
the beach!
the Mermaid Gardener
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- Yippee! The sun showed up!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:41:15 EDT
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The SUN is out in the BVI! |
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- Hurricane Alex (Himmacane Alex!)
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:10:14 EDT
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Not a threat to the beautiful British Virgin Islands, thank
goodness...
1000 AM CDT MON JUN 28 2010 ...ALEX SLOWLY INTENSIFYING...HURRICANE
WATCH ISSUED... SUMMARY OF 1000 AM CDT...1500
UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...20.3N
91.7W ABOUT 85 MI...135 KM WNW OF CAMPECHE MEXICO ABOUT 535 MI...860 KM SE
OF BROWNSVILLE TEXAS MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60 MPH...95 KM/HR PRESENT
MOVEMENT...NNW OR 330 DEGREES AT 7 MPH...11 KM/HR MINIMUM CENTRAL
PRESSURE...989 MB...29.21 INCHES
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- SunDaze, MonDaze, it's all a blur in the Caribbean!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:48:32 EDT
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Sunday was a nice day with lots of Sun and mild to calm
winds. Temps were low 80 in AM to upper 80 in afternoon with just a short
shower. Last night we did have a long rain with a bit of Thunder and
lightning about and for several hours before and after the winds were dead
calm. Bay was like glass out into the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
Seas under a foot were the largest I could see anywhere even in the center of
the Narrows! Think the great weather brought out the drunks in small power
boats as we seem to be the termination point of an impromptu Poker Run for
several who caused a bit of disturbance to the bay and the bay's occupants...
until a really handsome sailor on Duty came out to inform them the bay had rules
and regulations that had to be followed or ......... Think a group of
other sailors were about to take the situation into their own
hands!!!
The eternal war between sailors and stink
pots...ever since that first steam engine sailed the seas... (comments Dear Miss
Mermaid)
Today started out dead calm then we had a short rain
shower with variable winds under 8 knots and now we are calm again. Hope a
bit of wind pops up or it will be a steam bath by noon. Weather reports
call for a continued chance of rain through the week possibly peaking mid
week. Winds 6 to 18 knots again peaking mid week. Friday seems to be
the best chance for no rain and lots of sun. Just in time for the 4th of
July weekend!!!!! I may want to hide under a rock under the bay if we have
a group like we did have Sunday come back for the full weekend! I expect
to see the PR Navy move in by Thursday and stay throug the holidays... lots and
lots of power boats... Ohhh Joy....... NOT!!!
No other bad blobs appear to be threatning us at this
time. Invest 94 is now off the records but a wide circulating mass is
still to our East North East and who knows it could come back to bite us if we
totally ingnore it. The freight train of storms keep rolling off Africa
and turn into the Caribbean at various stops. Everyone needs to keep an
eye out on the weather and be prepaired! I still need one more anchor line
set up but will fix that later this week.
With just a bit more Sun, I think we can dry out from
all the wet we have had over the past 3 weeks. Feel sorry for the charter
people who came down for 7 to 10 days and were basically rained out. Still
most had fun in my bay and many reported seeing Octipus and squid in several
locations. Still lots of colorful fish about but the colors are more muted
with out good sunshine. Only thing missing is our very large Starfish....
they have moved down to the next bay as they often do and they will not be back
until they get back! We do still have some turtles but many have also gone
as they typically do at this time of year. Think they like the more open
waters when the water temps get in the mid 80's in the bay.
Well time to get something done... maybe a
nap?
Later
da Wayward Sailor
It's been told to me that with every evening
right at sunset that somewhere in the world there is someone blowing a conch shell bidding the day goodnight and beckoning sunrise to raise in the morning. We had a beautiful sunset last night and this morning while I was attempting to do sun salutations the sun rose with great beauty. So I figure that someone whether it be a sailor even as close as St. John or Tortola, or someone on the beach had blown the conch shell last night beckoning the sun to rise again to make a new day. And what a beautiful sunrise it was!!!
Wish that the sun would beckon the mosquito's away, they are quite fierce now with having had all that rain over the last two weeks. That's the tough part about drying out after the rain, then comes these stealth mosquito's that even fly and bite you in a hurricane. I'm in my living room as I type, have the fan blowing right on me and these guys can still fly against the fan and biting me. Bring out more bug spray!!! Once I'm bitten then it's run and get the Anthisan cream. I get it over at Medicure in Roadtown and that does help the bite from really itching. The other little gizmo that I use in my house is called a Vape machine. It's this little heater that heats up a small 1 1/2" x 1" cardboard pad that has insect killer on it....sort of a different version of the mosquito coil. Works great. Lots of dead insect bodies on the floor in the morning. In the morning my living room is all bug free and then I open up the doors and let the fresh air in guess what...yep another squadron of mosquito's comes in and starts nibbling. Need to dash...to find more bug spray!!
the Mermaid Gardener MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE From MissaLissa in the BVI Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, I have been somewhat pre-occupied with a new kitty, "football" action at Redrock, Wimbledon, house and husband keeping - ha- and yes, trying to dry out. Have had laundry drying on my balcony for a week now. I'm going to have to break down and have it dried at the laundromat. We had one "wave' come through with wind gusts so strong it literally blew some pictures off our walls -- glass everywhere. Of course our apt. is a wind tunnel on the best of days. Can't imagine anything stronger than a "wave' coming here. Yikes. Hey MissaLissa, Better get ready for hurricane season. Shame about the pics busting up. I know what you mean about all the wet laundry. For an emergency drying area, try a bunch of clothes pins and plastic coat hangers. You pin the laundry to the coat hangers and hang it on the shower rod. Speaking of the Vape Fuma Killa! I had several in my house for company, very few bugs bothered the mermaid for some odd reason. Could it be the garlic? Or maybe mermaids are just naturally immune. More alternative mosquito killas... The grocery stores used to drive us crazy in the BVI. They would get the electric Vape machines in, but not the pads, then a year later, the pads would show up, but not the machines. It took me two hurricane seasons to assemble my Vape machine. Finally I bought a case of the pads for the machines. Then I was set for awhile. If you want a piece of the Caribbean to wear everyday, to remind you where you really need to be, check out this conch shell jewelry. | Tropical Storm Alex is over in Mexico and not a threat to the Virgin Islands at this time. And now some GROGEOUS pics from dat Mermaid Gardener:
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- Tropical Storm Alex, due west of the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2010 06:50:19 EDT
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Tropical Storm Alex is due west of the BVI, but crossing the souther
Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. He is not a threat to the BVI. He already
dumped rains and caused flooding on Tortola earlier when he passed through as a
depression.
Web Cams from MaxWeather:
Disorganized cloudiness and showers extend from the northern Leeward
Islands northeastward into the Atlantic, are associted with a tropical wave and
upper level trough.
Where's my bucket? Never fear got it in 4 wheel
drive!
Saturday 7pm
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Late this afternoon took these photo's that show just how saturated
the ground is, we had 1/4" of rain in East End but suspect that West End
had more. I could tell that West End had more rain especially when I
was driving to the east along the coast road. Had my car in 4 wheel
drive and was not speeding through the rain puddles and rivers. Saw
plenty of back hoes working on various parts of the road.
This
evening the seas are now flat and we have nice blue skies with typical
Tortola clouds. The sun is setting and there seems to be very little
haze out now. Looks as if Invest 94 has fizzled out which is good
news for us. Hope that we have a couple of nice dry days so that we
can ward off mildew and dry out.
the Mermaid Gardener
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- Been hiding from storm
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:53:16 EDT
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Been hiding from storm
Last Tuesday I bashed my way East through the Narrows and up Sir Francis
Drake Channel to the Beef Island area and Penn's Landing. Initial part of
trip was a bit rough with a washing machine type sea state with 4 to 5 foot seas
until I was out of the Narrows and well into the Channel. Didn't get any
rain but just missed a few local cells and spent some time in Road Town where I
did have to make a run for cover a few times. After a couple of days with
great friends and some really great food I made my run back West Thursday
AM. Day started off ugly but the rains died down and just a gray hazy
overcast took its place... at least it was dry. The only uncomfortable
part of the trip was the initial part in getting the boat ready with swells
rolling in just when I'm trying to off load 5 gallon Jerry cans of diesel and
water and a bag of ice. The dink moving 3 to 4 feet in following movements
of the boat make getting back on the boat something to take under real
consideration before you give it a shot!
Did notice a few more boats out but most were bare poles and those going
East were bashing into 4 to 6 foot swells off the Caribbean South East.
While I was heading in the opposite direction, my trip was much smoother but the
aft did tend to do a wiggle when a larger than typical swell came up from
behind.
We should be getting a temporary break in the wet weather but by Sat Night
we are back into the 70%+ chance of rain and winds near 20 knots and seas 4 to 7
feet in the passes and probably 3 to 5 in the Channel with some squalls tossed
in just for fun.
This Am the winds were from the East at about 10 knots with overcast
sky. Just after 1;30 we had our first shower of the day and it was
light. Things will probably go down hill from here with Sunday being a
wash out with good weather possible for Tuesday. Temps have been mild and
winds and seas somewhat less agitated and a few more boats have been in the bay
with lots of walk in visitors doing snorkeling. Looks like the shower is
chasing most away and I may almost have the bay to myself tonight.
Been having major Internet problems... had server connections to my ISP but
they had no Internet connection! Hope it hangs in long enough for me to
get this report out!
later
da Wayward Sailor
This is really crumby weather
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- 10% chance of tropical cyclone in the islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:18:44 EDT
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NOAA has reported a large disorganized area of cloudiness and showers just
east of the Northern Leeward
islands that is associated with a tropical wave interacting with an
upper level trough... in other words, a big mess that might do something in the
future.
NOAA gives it a 10% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next 48
hours...
Now what are we supposed to do with that 10%? Stock up on 10% of your
hurricane supplies? Actually, if you don't have at least 90% of your
hurricane supplies laid in by now, then you are way behind schedule. Shop now,
while there isn't a mad rush.
During hurricane season, I never let my gas tanks in the heap of a jeep,
get below a half tank, and if there is a slight scare, go ahead and top up,
while there is current and gas available. You don't want to be in long lines
before a major scare.
Check out your battery operated things like flashlights and get extra
batteries now, while they are available. If you have a cistern, find out where
your access hole is and how you can open it in an emergency. You will also need
a nice clean sturdy bucket and a rope for lowering into the cistern to fetch
water, if your current is out and you don't have a generator.
The heavy duty buckets sold for mixing and moving concrete are the best to
have, they are sturdy with strong handles and can take the weight of repeated
water fetching.
I used to bring home take-away food that came with the plastic forks and
stuff. I would save all that in a box with the hurricane stuff and eat with
regular flatware. Paper plates and plastic bowls are good to have around. Check
your propane and make sure your spare tank is filled up.
Harley says, "Don't forget your pets. Have extra food on hand for
them, plus treats and toys too.
Harley is half toy goat and half monkey. I should have gave him a
Cherokee name like "One Ear". He weighs an astonishing 5 pounds and gets
into loads of trouble.
Read more about Harley and Dear Miss Mermaid at the Other Blog.
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- Silly string in th BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 07:44:19 EDT
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Here's a gardening quiz for all you green thumb
folks.
What it this yellow spaghetti stuff that seems to pop up
around Tortola? Make your guess.
A. Spaghetti that has a bit
of saffron in it that someone threw out of their kitchen window.
B.
Silly string...plenty of cans. Like maybe 25???
C. Yellow Love.
D.
Dodder, Cuscuta a parasitic plant.
If you guessed that it is
"D" you are correct or if you said "C" Yellow love you were also correct
that is a local word for the parasitic plant. This time of year you
can really see this stuff hanging on trees, fences, scrubs, you name it is
there. Even in your grass this stuff grows. Dodder is a parasite
that attaches itself to anything and tries to feed off of it. It will
eventually choke out the plant or fence....he he .
From my paradise
backyard to yours..
the Mermaid Gardener
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GRAPEFRUITS,
LEMONS, LIMES, ORANGES AND TANGERINES.
DISH CARIBBEAN CELEBRATES SUMMER WITH
CITRUS AND COLOR
Tortola, British Virgin
Islands, June 24, 1010 – The heat index is rising and so are
your taste buds! Cool down and cook with DISH Caribbean. This month let the bold
hues of citrus be your guide to eating right and feeling right. When life hands
you limes, make sorbet! Our Caribbean limes are the juiciest. Grapefruits? Candy
or soufflé them! Spoil your partner with our delicious menu in Table for Two.
Make sure you carry the DISH grocery list: 10 items to include in your pantry or
refrigerator. Eat your way through the Virgin Islands and start at Peter Island.
Their new interactive guest chef program takes you from the farm to the table,
wine included – really!
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- Gloomy Doomy Bloomy in the British Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:40:56 EDT
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Good Morning from a gloomy Tortola. The weather has again
turned rather nasty and not very nice out. We are expecting on and
off again rain. For those sailors coming down for the first time it
will be a very exciting sail but the scenery is not much to look at hazy
gray cloudy misty days. Have not been in my pool for days, plus my
tan is now fading, funny how that works, leave the midwest and come here
to sunny paradise and end up with cloudy days. Will have to work on
that the minute a ray of sunshine comes my way. Have had a
lovely couple of days even if it is gloomy out. Did my art day
yesterday with the group down at The
Pub. Had a really good rain squall come in while we were
painting. The afternoon was not a total wash out since I had a
yummy pizza and antipasti over at Capriccio
Di Mare for lunch. Even on gloomy days you can catch a ray of
sunshine though good food and friends. I read yesterdays
blog about dear Miss Mermaids friend out driving in that storm we had over
the weekend. No way am I going out in that kind of stuff unless it's
absolutely necessary, rock slides and flooding are way too scary for
me. Glad to hear that her friend made it safely home. Our
hillsides are so saturated right now that even a couple of inches we will
have more rock slides and floods. This messy weather pattern we are
in is going to hang on for a while so that there is a very good chance
that we could have continued flooding. For those of you sailing
seas look choppy from my vantage point, it feels like maybe it's 80
degrees, humid, gusty winds. It looks like as the sailboats go by me
from East End to Road Town or points beyond they are doing more motoring
than sailing but up by the Indians there
are a few sailboats out with both the main and jib out. Will
keep my fingers crossed that a ray of sunshine will filter down my
way!!! the Mermaid Gardener
 A squall, as seen from The
Pub, on the edge of Road Town.  |
What a great report from dat Mermaid Gardener!
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- Flooding...Rats... and more rain...
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:52:46 EDT
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Here is a weather report I got through instant messaging from a lady on
Tortola, a few minutes ago!
I was out on Sunday at a friends house for lunch as it hadn't been too bad
in the morning but then it came on really heavy
We traveled from Hodges creek to home, (spyglass Hill, west end) and it
took us 2 hours!
The water was running across the road by the hlscc (the college).
In town it was coming up (yes UP!) from the manholes. At sea cows bay opposite
the little boat launching slip there were so many rocks and mud and stuff on the
road it was almost impossible to get through.
The water at that point was about 8 inches deep!
The worst part for flooding that I saw was by the incinerator at Pockwood
Pond.
wow, maybe because they have destroyed the swamp, across the road,
to build on?
The water there was flowing really fast and was higher than the door sill
of my car, (Terios) We nearly had to turn back but I knew that it would be
impossible to go up to the ridge road and go that way as all the roads up there,
had water coming down like rivers
Oh I see, the hills from the Pockwood Pond were pouring down a river!
They have carved out the mountain there, I guess what's left of the mountain,
ran with the river...
Loads of big boulders and rocks came down on the road to West End
I did have me camera in the car and if I had been alone I would have tried
to stop in various places to take photos as it was impressive but I had my
daughter in the car and she was scared so it was best just to keep going
along.
WHAT A MESS!
Just getting from the car into the house turned my daughter and I
into drowned rats.....oh and the TV cable went out as well over the weekend coz
of all the rain so we were stuck in watching movies that we'd seen a million
times.
At least da current was on!
Actually........
It was on part of the time but some stupid driver ran
into the pole outside the laundry that's close to Big Bens Gas station and broke
it in two!
One half was left in the ground and the rest was lying on the roof of the
laundry!
The wires were still attached but the transformer was bent outta
shape
I think that pole has been hit before, it seems...
Well this time they had to replace it!
Oh I must tell you about my friends rat experience. She bought one of those
big sticky traps and was going to put it down until I told her about my
experience with one of those.
I had a rat that kept coming on the deck at my last place so I put one
of these sticky things down and in the morning when I looked it had
disappeared
I thought the rat had got a bit stuck and "walked" with it.
Anyway a few days later I smelt something nasty and when I looked over the
side of the deck I saw the rat, (including, by then, maggots) stuck to the trap
which had caught on a nail when ratty had "walked" off the side of the deck with
it
Yuck, I had to get a broom and knock it down...double yuk and then get rid
of it ewwww
So after I told my friend that I told her to read the instructions on
the side of this trap as I remember I had done that after the incident.
Instructions said" when rat caught on trap, flip trap and rat over and then
with a blunt object apply light pressure to bottom of trap until rat quiet. Then
fill a 5 gallon container with cooking oil and place rat and trap in for two
hours"
seriously can you imagine
Obviously my friend couldn't get the trap back to the store fast enough
and she returned with poison instead!
COOK the rat in oil for two hours? That is HILARIOUS!
Wow, rain really coming down again
No not cook....drown
I know a French woman told me you hold the sticky rat trap with the
live rat, in the toilet and wait until the bubbles stop...
That painted a pretty picture...
Two hours to drown the rat in cooking oil??? Who keeps a five gallon
bucket of oil around? I guess the bars have used cooking oil in buckets
laying about...
this is better than the underwear story! (scroll down to see
another post below this one...)
I mean you cant make this stuff up its priceless!! LOL
equivalent of marinating I guess....seriously we couldn't stop laughing
at the thought of it all
And, what do you do with a 5 gallon container of oil with a drowned rat
in it...how do you get rid of that. Put it in the dumpster and hope no one
throws in a cigarette butt and blows the thing up?
Well feel free to use the rat trap story too
I will!
Oh god I need a boat to get to the car now
20 minutes later...
still raining cats and dogs including in the office where I am working and
have just been running round finding various containers to catch the
drips
sun has definitely been strangled into submission...oh another friend of
mine found a small duckling all by itself all wet and bedraggled up on the ridge
road on Friday...it is soooo cute. we dont know where it came from as there was
no evidence of mummy duck so she took it to the humane society as they already
have some ducks there
Qwack!
Speaking of underwear... my friend also said:
I once was taking off a sports bra, (so it's all in one and you have to
pull it over your head) and made the mistake of standing under the ceiling fan.
Well as it came off over my head it pinged into the fan and started spinning
round at speed. By the time I turned the fan off it was stuck in the works of
the fan and I just couldn't get it to come out.
In the end I had to cut it away but you could still see bits of white
sticking out from the groove and the fan always made a grinding noise after
that...
We have pythons in the mangroves out at Beef Island too...pets that grew
too big so have been released to the wild. One of my daughter's
friends saw one and got her mum to photograph it. About 5 feet
long!!
That's a scary thought! I thought all the pythons were stuck in
the government offices...
And this concludes out insane messaging, LIVE from Tortola...um instant
messaging...
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- more weather
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:43:08 EDT
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Weather report by instant messaging from a friend on Tortola:
The weather here over this last weekend and up to today has been
totally crap. Rain and flooding on sunday
Showers and the sun has just squeezed through the clouds
We now getting lots of mosquitos coz of the rain....they're nasty ones
with big hob nailed boots I thiink!
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- A Messy mess in Tortola
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:09:19 EDT
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I don't know if our local correspondents got washed away in the recent
rains and flash flooding or if they are just busy. One does tend to get busy
with Caribbean emergencies. Things like discovering the rum cabinet is bare,
could be cause for a fast dash to the store to replenish.
There is also the bikini emergency. Elastic in the Caribbean has a much
shorter life span. Sometimes you get out your bikini to put it on, you stretch
open the bottoms in anticipation of stepping into them and sliding them up, but
the elastic stays open and your bikini falls down around your ankles. This can
cause an emergency run to the store to find a new suitable bikini.
This also happens to underwear. I was out and about with a sailor who was
having underwear problems. He was just a friend who had begged a ride to town in
my heap of a jeep. The elastic in his undies had gave out and he was still
trying to wear the bikini undies. But the faded red bikini type
unides kept sliding down and hanging out from underneath his boat shorts.
This of course looked unsightly. It also made it hard from him to walk.
Especially since he kept digging around in his shorts to pull them back up every
20 seconds.
All while we are walking down the main road in Road Town, after parking.
Now he is digging around inside his shorts with both hands, dealing with his
dead elastic bikini undies. I kept trying to walk ahead like I didn't know him.
People were staring and giggling and poking fingers. Those tied up in traffic
were staring in surprise at this strange sight.
I found my pocket knife, and passed it to him, suggesting he cut the
offending undies off. I was also pushing him towards an alley to do this in. But
noooooooo, he stops right on the sidewalk, on the main road, and this was right
around lunch time too, so traffic was plenty heavy. He pulls his undies up
above his waste, um up above the waist, above his shorts, while screaming
"Oh my gosh, I have a WEDGIE now!" and then began trying to slice each side of
his red bikini undies with the knife.
I thought he was going to cause a major car wreck as drivers dropped their
jaws and stared in shocked awe at this new entertainment.
I hissed at him "I am NEVER going anywhere with you ever again!" I ran for
an alley and looked for a place to hide.
Finally he gets his undies sliced on both sides, but now thanks to the
wedgie, he can't seem to get the undies to come out from under his shorts.
So he starts reaching up from the hemmed line of his shorts, and fishing around
to undo his wedgie and pull the offending undies out again.
Traffic is now at a standstill as drivers are more interested in watching
this old salt mess around with his undies on the sidewalk, rather than driving
to their destination.
Have you ever been in Road Town and wandered WHY traffic is backed up so
badly?
I had ducked into an alley where I began laughing uncontrollably. I wish
I'd had a video camera of my rum infused sailor friend doing all these antics on
the sidewalk. Which on a side note, his wife had flown back to
England six weeks prior and NOW I knew WHY. She didn't want to be seen with
him either.
Finally he announces, he has freed his underwear, and he holds them at
arm's length in his hand, and says "Now what?"
"Stuff them in your pocket!" I hiss at him, as I crouch behind an
air-conditioning unit in the alley, trying to distance myself from him. "When we
find a garbage can, you can toss them in!"
"You want me to carry around used underwear in my POCKET?"
By now I was frantically trying to dig a hole behind the air-conditioning
unit to crawl right into. Ever noticed how when someone has had too much rum,
they tend to get LOUDER and LOUDER as if everyone around them has suddenly gone
deaf?
"It's your used underwear! Just stuff them in your pocket while we
look for a garbage can!"
He is now studying his underwear, held aloft in his hand, "You know, if I
wash these, then I have a nice soft rag for cleaning my boat with."
People in traffic are staring, laughing and poking their finger in his
direction. Some just have their mouth wide open, like they don't believe what
they are seeing; a sailor on Main Street, holding his faded red undies aloft,
after cutting them off, and studying them for the potential use as a boat
rag.
I roll my eyes and tell him "I am never ever going anywhere, ever
with you again!"
He answers with "I feel so FUNNY walking around without underwear on. Lots
of wind passing through these shorts, I hope I'm not hanging out!"
Now he is bent over, on Main Street, studying his crotch to see if his
private parts are hanging out anywhere. I can hear loud laughter from one
of the cars.
I assure him "Nothing is hanging out, now let's GO!" and I rapidly retreat
down to the other end of the alley.
I no longer care that he has ridden with me to town in my heap of a jeep. I
am going to find my jeep and leave him standing on the sidewalk, bent over,
peering under his shorts to see where his private parts are or are not dangling.
I run for the nearest bar and order a drink and a sandwich. Unfortunately,
my friend finds me. I order the sandwich wrapped for take-away. He is still
discussing his underwear dilemma. People in the bar are getting
quiet so they can listen to him.
I grab my sandwich and head for my heap of a jeep. He notices and starts
following me asking if we are going to the marine store and the grocery store. I
tell him I am going home to my boat and hiding from him.
"Obviously, you've never had underwear problems!" he tells me, as if I have
offended him.
"Yes, I've had problems with my underwear and elastic, but I didn't stand
on Main Street during lunch time and make a public spectacle of myself
either!"
He thinks I am being awfully fussy over nothing. He carefully folds his
undies and drapes them over the grab handle above my glove compartment in the
jeep. I glare at him and he says "What? What now?"
I guess looking back now, the whole event was pretty hilarious.
My apologies to those of you that were stuck in the back of traffic
that day, wandering why.
Today's weather:
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- Botanical Plumbing
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:58:31 EDT
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News worthy....yesterdays picture of the Navy ship coming in was
reported on by BVI NewOnline. The ship is the Royal Navy Warship HMS
Manchester and is in port for 4 days. Making it's presence known
during hurricane season.
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Yesterday was a nice reprieve from the dreary weather, had bits of
sunshine throughout the day, even had a friend complain that I was hogging
all the sunshine up on East End. By late yesterday afternoon it
began to cloud up again. That however did not stop me from going to
a surprise birthday beach party for another friend. It was
fantastic, the food, friends, new friends and the birthday girl were all
fun to be with. I think everyone truly enjoyed the evening. This
morning looks as if our dreary weather has returned, no rain as of yet but
winds are back up again and the seas look unhappy. From the looks of
the radar this weather is not necessarily related to Invest 93, it appears
that it's just disturbed weather. No rain on the horizon as I write
this at 730am. But that could change. Hope that those sailors
making their way to a new overnight destination don't get too beat up by
the unhappy seas. Last Friday I was able to go to the Botanical
Gardens and do some water color painting that is until it poured on
me. I've included several pictures from my garden tour. It
turned out that I was not able to run to the garden center after the
Botanical Gardens, had to make a Clarence Thomas run (the hardware
store) for a new bathroom shower head. One of mine is leaking
like a sieve, so I needed to replace that one. I also bought my
housekeeper some much needed new cleaning supplies, like a bucket, broom
and dust pan. The house did not get pretty flowers this time.
I have to admit that my shower no longer is spraying water all over the
place and missing me so that's better than a few new flowers. Enjoy
the tropical eye candy! 
 Pictures and info by
The Mermaid Gardener
From Dear Miss Mermaid
That mess that passed over the BVI is now a very strong tropical
wave over the central Caribbean sea that could turn into a real stormy
mess. Stay tuned.
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- Here Come Da Navy! Are we being invaded?
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:45:25 EDT
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Here's a picture of the Navy coming in this morning, couldn't make
out the flag on the stern of the ship so don't know who's it is or what
kind of ship it is. She took a wide turn going into Roadtown right
out in front of me.
the Mermaid Gardener
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Sunday was a No Sunday. Mist to heavy rains dominated the day and
gray sky was all we saw with an occasional strong wind gust near 20 knots but
most of the time down around 10 knots. Temps have been down in low 80's in
the day and upper 70's at night but with the rains, and the need to keep the
hatches closed the interior boat temps are uncomfortable warm and damp..
UCK!
This AM, about 7:30 I saw the sun,,,, for about 15 seconds then a storm
swept through but we were on the fringe of this one on and the heavy stuff hit
above Frenchman's Key and central and Eastern Tortola and not as much on the
adjacent BVI Islands but Jost Van Dyke did get a good drenching. System
continues to move north West and another is forecast to be here later this
week. Today SHOULD be dryer and have some sun. At least the sky has
some blue again and not the multi color Gray that has been inplace for far
toooOoooo long. Da Wayward Sailor has a solar soul and needs his sun just
as his hungry solar panels do!
Now (8:45) it is 84 with 78% RH, water temp is 83 and winds are presently
variable and swinging from North East to South as he small storm cells pass
through. Most boats seem to be hanging in the "resort/ tourist" moorings
near bars and places to eat and shop. If a bit of sun pops through then
the sailors will probably drop the moorings and head out for as long of a sail
as possible between storm cells which should be fewer and fewer as the day goes
on but by mid week, we will have more showers passing through... showers are
LOTS better than what they could have turned into!
In the AM I'll head East and spend a few days near Beef Island and possibly
walk from Penn's Landing to the beach at Trellis Bay (or maybe ride?) and take a
nice long walk... in the rain if necessary! Looking forward to a few less
showers and the opportunity to get th boat dry again.
Da Wayward Sailor is having internet problems again this AM with drop outs
about mid way through any activity underway. I just fixed a French Press
full of coffee and a couple of very nice pieces of Cinnamon Sugar toast ( a bit
over brown perhaps) Note: Black is a bit over brown... as I have not
perfected the broil function of my LP Gas Oven...
Sun is actually out for a bit and I'm in the cockpit getting as much as
possible (some will understand more than others) with my coffee in hand and
waiting for the internet to return so I can hit the SEND button.
later
da Wayward Sailor
Morning! Just checked my rain gauge and yesterday
afternoon through the night I received an additional 1" of rain. My
pool is filling up it's past the skimmer now, all my plants and their
saucers are full of water. I'm hoping today to try to empty all the
saucers, nothing like water logged plants. Yesterday was a day of
running around every so often to close the windows and doors, then to have
to reopen them shortly after that. My house became so humid at times
the windows fogged up. I normally only get that up in the midwest in
my car having ran from one grocery store to another store in the rain then
having to put the defroster on. Here I just put the fan on until I
was able to open up the doors or windows. My house is all open like
many of the homes here. I have sliding screens, but for my main
doors and kitchen door I do not. I love that open feeling just
walking from one room to the next, however it can be a pain to have to run
around and close them when a dark cloud comes over. I'm lucky my
house stayed dry. There are plenty of people who get flooded out with this
much rain, it has no where to go but run down hill and if you happen to be
in that path....guess what...yep your house gets flooded. Nothing
like having a tropical river running through your house.
Last night decided to brave the roads and went to Pusser's
East for Fish and Chips, plus a bowl of pumpkin soup. Going down my
hill there were rivers still running towards the sea. Had my car in
4 wheel drive in case of any on coming cars that would force me to jockey
around. Picked up my dinner and 4 wheeled it back up my hill, I'm
one of these people who if the roads are wet here, I'm determined to get
my hill, so I give her plenty of gas to get up it. Having lived in
the part of the U.S. that some say is fly over country, It's pretty flat
where I live and have no mountains or ridges to content with so down here
it's always a challenge in the rain....hey even if it's dry it's a
challenge. I've not driven Joe's Hill road yet. Dinner was hot
and good, sat out watched the rain squalls go by toward St. John, they too
got nailed by all these squalls. Hope they too didn't get too soggy.
I know I'm soggy up here in the east.
Looks as if the skies
might be breaking apart a bit and it could be a day that is not a total
wash out. That would be nice to dry out and feel some warmth again
while emptying all my drowned potted plants.
Looking forward to
drying out and visiting friends today if they aren't too water
logged!!!!!
the Mermaid Gardener
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- Un-Sun-Day
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:16:39 EDT
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Good Morning on this gray and wet day. Had rain squalls periodically
through the night. Woke this morning thinking that it was a repeat of
yesterday and it is. Invest 92 is giving us cloudy rainy weather.
Had another 1" of rain last night in my rain gauge. This morning checked
Marina Cay, it was packed at the mooring. Scrub Island had quite a few
large yachts at the Marina. Trellis too was packed, Cooper did have a few
open spots. Peter island looked from what I could see through the rain to
have a few boats in there as well. I think most folks are still hunkering
down. Winds are still gusty but the channel looks to be flattening a bit
not quite so many white caps as there was yesterday. I chatted with a
friend of mine this morning and we both agreed that today was going to be
another wash out kind of day. No fun in the sun with the dregs of this wave
coming through.
Having Lavender Earl Grey tea this morning with a Croissant and brie.
Something not too heavy but love that hot tea on these coolish
mornings. My thoughts for today are to get a few household chores
done and then maybe brave going out later this afternoon to see a friend of
mine. But if it is truly another wash out, I'll plug in my DVD player and watch
a movie.
Will keep you posted on what the weather is doing here, if my pictures look
gray, guess what it is that shade here, no tropical blue colors.
later...the Mermaid Gardener
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter Island in the Rain, British Virgin Islands
St John, USVI used to be out there... the storms have hidden it
away!
Looking east from Tortola
Towards Fallen Jeruselum, should be flooded Jeruselum by now
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sat was an overcast and rainy day with No Sun at all. Collected
several inches of rain in dink and my rough measure of rain fall is just over an
inch and half for the daylight hours. Winds have been moving through in
waves as the front that was Invest 92 continues to move West North West with a
trailing area of clouds with rain and scattered Thunder Storms over the Virgin
Islands. Today, Sunday should be an improvement but mostly Cloudy with
lots of chance for rain and occasional Thunder Storm.
Presently raining and 82 with variable winds. Water Temp appears to
have dropped to about 83 due to rain and clouds and probably the frequent high
winds the kick up the seas. Off Shore Seas are 4 to 6 and expected to be
increasing over the next few days to over 7 feet as the next wave moves over
us. Weather picture over the Atlantic from Africa shows a near continuous
line of blobs moving West then North West into the Leewards and we should expect
them for some time, hopefully in small doses and not a Big One.
Local waters seas are under 4 feet except in the storm cells as they pass
by.
Due to ugly weather for doing much of anything in the sailing/ boating
area, I did not make it over to Sophers Hole Saturday but may try again later
today if we get a bit of sun, da Wayward Sailor needs some Fun!!!
Very few boats out. Those that are are typically bare boat charters
who only have 7 to 10 days and most are just hopping between the locations that
have the tourist bars in the mooring areas such as Soper's Hole, The Bight on
Norman, Cooper Island, Trellis Bay on Beef Island near the Airport, Yost Van
Dyke on several locations and Marina Cay. Can't see much about Virgin
Gorda from here but will be moving that way the middle of July to check things
out in that area a bit more.
Hoping for a bit less rain today and the opportunity to view a few special
flowers that should be nice and moist from such extended rains and see if they
enjoy the opportunity for a bit of sun and fun as much as I would
later
da Wayward Sailor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dat Dear Miss Mermaid drove off the map again LOL! More from
her later...
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- Crazy weather in the Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2010 20:02:28 EDT
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Chilly in Tortola! Brrr...the tropical wave has dumped rain every
where!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stormy night, high winds and heavy rains moved in bands across the area
most of the evening and early morning. I've collected about 1.3 inches of
rain since sunset last evening. Wind gust as the squall lines passed were
often near 20 knots which whipped up the seas to near 5 feet in a very sloppy
manner. Saw a few boat making the run into Soper's Hole West End Tortola
late in the evening and the place is probably full by now. None have
appeared to leave yet. Presently the rain is more of a mist with winds
about 8 knots but often has wind gust in the 15 knot area with heavy rain.
No sun visible so far today at 9AM and from radar it looks to be an overcast and
mostly cloudy day... but all could change by late afternoon and we may still see
some sun and dry out.
Temp is a comfortable 82 and water temp is still at 85. If the
showers ease up a bit, I'll think about making a run over to Sopher's Hole and
maybe see friends for the afternoon. Few boats out so far this AM but if
the sun pops out we will probably see a flood of boats leaving their moorings
for a bit of sailing.
later
da Wayward Sailor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Last nights weather was just a precursor to what we are having this
morning. Heavy rains this morning, no lightening, but wind gusts
coming and going. Looks like we are inside the clouds it is so
thick. Checked out Invest 92 and she looks like she may effect us
for the next couple of days. Sailors are going to have a wet time of it if
they need to sail. Think I'll go back and pull the covers over my
head and listen to the rain.
the Mermaid Gardener
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is Friday's Post Below:
Looks like Invest 92 even though it may have broken
apart is heading possibly for us. This evening it is
exceptionally windy with lots of wind gusts. We have had
numerous rain squalls. Seems like the wind does not know what
direction it wants to come, especially up here on the ridge
line. I've got candles burning in case we loose power, have
had some issues with dimming lights this evening. Just not
sure if I'll loose power or not. Happy that I have a surge
protector on the house. Wouldn't live here without one, with
all the brown outs and power surges that go on here. I know
that Dear Miss Mermaid has talked numerous times about loosing power
and having electronic things like refrigerators get fried.
I've had my fair share of that, so hence the surge protector on the
house. Knock on wood have not have anything get fried since
that was installed.
Looks like invest 92 has broken
apart and we are left with the dregs of it. I suspect over the
next 3-4 days we will be in store for some up and down
weather. I think I'll hunker down tonight with my candles by
my bed as well as my flashlight and hope that in the morning a new
dawn will arrive on the horizon and all will be better.
Good
night from gusty Tortola!
the Mermaid Gardener
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vinca in bloom on Tortola
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday from dat Wayward Sailor
Had a nice motor sail down from East End Tortola to St. John on
Thursday. Had several large storms cells heading same way but I was able
to avoid them by slowing down (no way I could out run them) and by occasionally
heading in the opposite direction I wanted to go... something us sailors often
do but this was for other than the typical tacking operation. All in all I
only had a very few rain drops on me and the fine ship that is often my
love. While it did take us a bit longer to reach our destination, we did
it out of the range of the very visible lighting and heavy rains in the small
squalls. It was rather fun watching the large low clouds dump water and
move along at double my speed but in a direction which allowed me to duck in
between of follow behind them. While I'm normally a fair weather sailor, I
do have to put out occasionally in a bit more marginal conditions to honor
obligations I have made to others including my volunteer responsibilities as a
National Park volunteer. All in all it was a nice sail, cool breeze, no
hot sun and a bit of exhilaration at some of the following seas that at one
point were about 6 feet as I entered the Narrows.
This AM it was very sunny over head but with large clouds all about.
Had a nice cup of coffee and a bowl of Special K Vanilla Almond MMmmm (great
stuff with milk in the AM or just a hand full while watching a DVD or just as a
dry snack!
Temp at 8AM was 86, water is 85 and we just had a short shower pass
over. Boat is now pointing South East but the winds get a bit confused
after a cell passes and we should soon swing back to the North East and expect
more showers and thunder storms ad the day passes and thru the Weekend. It
is our part of 92 which is now disorganized into a huge blob of rain storms but
not much else. Should be nor problem except for the typical flooding in
the mountain area and guts that lead to the sea. Lots better that it could
have been had 92 developed this early in the season.
Think I'll plan on taking the opportunity during the sunny periods to do
some snorkeling as I have the bay almost to myself. Most of the over
nighters have dropped their mooring and headed out for a sail. May even do
a bit of work on the dink which as all dinks have, a slow leak that
progressively gets worst. My forward Air bladder has a leak which did
need weekly pump ups now it need almost daily... time to locate it and get
things in place to fix it. I have all the "stuff" to do a couple of the
typical fixes so it should be no problem... it just takes time to locate then
deflate, make the repair and allow to set about 4 hours prior to reinfllation...
that is the hard part as you never know what can occur in 4 to 6 hours with your
dink out of service!
Later
da Wayward Sailor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Miss Mermaid drove off the map again, that's why the reports came in
late... 
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- Gardening in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:00:22 EDT
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Message in a Bottle, Washed up in a Bottle on the Seashore:
"My flowers have done really well, the Pride of Barbados are in full
bloom this time."
Thank you for mentioning that on your post. I hope that you are feeling
a little bit better. I see that you are in for some heavy rain this weekend. My
family and I, including all the grand children and my brother ,who is up from
Barbados, are going on a river Cruise on the Grand River in Ontario for fathers
day. I hope that you have a safe hurricane season and please stay
safe
Pirate Porter
Dear Pirate Porter,
Thank you for the kind words! The Mermaid
Gardener is responsible for the fantastic gardening in the BVI. She and dat
Wayward Sailor are working feverishly to help keep these reports from the BVI
alive and happening. Dear Miss Mermaid is on the mend, again, having
a setback, again, (sick and tired of being sick and tired!)
Glad you are going on the river, good place for a
pirate! *tee hee hee*
Thanks so much for writing! And LOOK, that
Mermaid Gardener has sent you all a pic of her Pride of Barbados!
ENJOY!
Yours truly,
Dear Miss Mermaid
 Above, Pride of Barbados
Below, C0rton, Curley variety
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- Friday already!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:43:50 EDT
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Had a nice motor sail down from East End Tortola to St. John on
Thursday. Had several large storms cells heading same way but I was able
to avoid them by slowing down (no way I could out run them) and by occasionally
heading in the opposite direction I wanted to go... something us sailors often
do but this was for other than the typical tacking operation. All in all I
only had a very few rain drops on me and the fine ship that is often my
love. While it did take us a bit longer to reach our destination, we did
it out of the range of the very visible lighting and heavy rains in the small
squalls. It was rather fun watching the large low clouds dump water and
move along at double my speed but in a direction which allowed me to duck in
between of follow behind them. While I'm normally a fair weather sailor, I
do have to put out occasionally in a bit more marginal conditions to honor
obligations I have made to others including my volunteer responsibilities as a
National Park volunteer. All in all it was a nice sail, cool breeze, no
hot sun and a bit of exhilaration at some of the following seas that at one
point were about 6 feet as I entered the Narrows.
This AM it was very sunny over head but with large clouds all about.
Had a nice cup of coffee and a bowl of Special K Vanilla Almond MMmmm (great
stuff with milk in the AM or just a hand full while watching a DVD or just as a
dry snack!
Temp at 8AM was 86, water is 85 and we just had a short shower pass
over. Boat is now pointing South East but the winds get a bit confused
after a cell passes and we should soon swing back to the North East and expect
more showers and thunder storms ad the day passes and thru the Weekend. It
is our part of 92 which is now disorganized into a huge blob of rain storms but
not much else. Should be nor problem except for the typical flooding in
the mountain area and guts that lead to the sea. Lots better that it could
have been had 92 developed this early in the season.
Think I'll plan on taking the opportunity during the sunny periods to do
some snorkeling as I have the bay almost to myself. Most of the over
nighters have dropped their mooring and headed out for a sail. May even do
a bit of work on the dink which as all dinks have, a slow leak that
progressively gets worst. My forward Air bladder has a leak which did
need weekly pump ups now it need almost daily... time to locate it and get
things in place to fix it. I have all the "stuff" to do a couple of the
typical fixes so it should be no problem... it just takes time to locate then
deflate, make the repair and allow to set about 4 hours prior to reinfllation...
that is the hard part as you never know what can occur in 4 to 6 hours with your
dink out of service!
Later
da Wayward Sailor
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- What? No Sunrise?
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:20:53 EDT
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This morning I awakened to darkness and no sunrise.
There were more clouds off to the south east so that the sunrise did not
make much of a show. Out on the horizon it was dotted with numerous dark
and stormy clouds. We had plenty of thunder and rain squalls though
the night and it appeared that we would be in store for a dreary
day. Already this morning we have had a large storm cell go over us
and drop quite a bit of rain. Thunder can still be heard off in the
distance. It's humid but cooler in temperature. Most sailboats
are motoring towards the west. There are a few boats out there with
both sails up heading east. No white caps on the channel however
looks as it could be a rocky ride motoring towards the west.
Probably a really good day to just hang out on the boat or my
couch and read a good book. The beauty down here always surprises
me, even in a stormy rainy day, the beauty can be breathtaking. My
flowers have done really well, the Pride of Barbados are in full bloom
this time. My Crotons (Codiaeum Euphorbiaceae) are doing quite
well, that is one of the plants here in the sub tropic that does
exceptionally well. I have several varieties one that is a curly
variety the others are more flat leafed. The colors are varied, at
times they can be more yellow others a deep red and green. They
don't mind being without water and bounce back when given a little bit of
tender loving care. Lately I have found that Vinca
(Catharanthus roseus) likes growing here in the stone walls. This
trip I am going to make time to visit the Botanical gardens. The J.R.
O'Neal Botanical Gardens are a nice way of seeing what plants do well down
here. I usually take my watercolors with me hoping to find a plant that
I'd like to paint plus I bring my camera as well. I usually find
some plant that I would love to add to my gardens, so a run over to either
Fort Garden Center or Minine's Plants and landscaping is normally on the
agenda as well. So, a trip to the botanical gardens always includes
a trip to purchase a plant or two or three. Sounds like going into
buying a spark plug for your dingy outboard but coming back to the mooring
with several hundred dollars of sailboat goodies, always seems to work out
that way.
Going to try to stay moderately dry today, sailors get
out your rain slickers!! We are probably in store for more disturbed
weather later today and through the weekend.
Invest 92 seems to
have broken up but is still worth watching and keeping an eye
out.
the Mermaid
Gardener
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- Thursday
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2010 08:15:08 EDT
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Stormy clouds in the beautiful British Virgin Islands, but look how green
everything is. No
hurricanes on the horizon.
Yet.
I understand quite a few people did a test-run on hurricane parties
recently... Some are really suffering from the hangovers too. 
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- Wednesday in the Caribbean
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:24:02 EDT
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Yikes!
Showers and thunderstorms are 600 miles east of the Lesser
Antilles are poorly organized.
Thank goodness for small favors...
However, this system is well worth watching.
Just in case...
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- Getting Ready for Hurricanes (and Hangovers)
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:40:24 EDT
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Well we have made it to the middle of the month!
Yesterday it was nice to be in da islands... nice breezes, mix of sun and shade
and only a few well timed sprinkles of rain.
Thanks to the O'Connors for the nice message in a
bottle to Dear Miss Mermaid. Glad you found us... really glad because
sometimes I'm not sure where I am and I'm never sure where da Mermaid is!
Funny thing is I was talking to some fellow sailors in the bay last night about
how they knew of the Dear Miss Mermaid and StormCarib and that interesting
fellow called da Wayward Sailor.... errr well interesting fellow are
really MY words but I"M SURE that is what they meant to say!!!!! LOL
Seems they have been following the blog for some time and to actually find me
was a surprise... See... I'm not a secret... I'm just a typical sailor in
da islands... well more or less typical... maybe less typical but........ me
head hurts.
Weather is expected to be about the same for today but
a front is moving in that may bring in more clouds and increased rain
chance. Sounds good to me! Maybe da rain will cool the
water???? MMmmmm seems like the last time I took a nice rain shower shower
the water was warm so adding warm water to warm sea water probably doesn't do
much to change the temp... but the fresh water feels SOOooo gooD.
Out in the Atlantic about a 1000 miles East of the
Windwards Invest92 is still showing ugly intentions and is expected to do so
today but by mid week it should run into less favorable conditions and hopefully
go away.
This AM the temp is 84 and water is at 85. Winds
are being funny and swinging between East and Southeast when they are suppose to
be Northeast today. They probably didn't get the e-mail and are just doing
what ever they want for now but expect them to get back to More Northeast as the
day moves on. Seas are between 3 and 5 feet and I can see only a few white
caps on the Sir Francis Drake Channel which I'll be in and heading East in less
than an hour. Heading back up to Penns Landing for a few days to relax
from all this hard work I do around here...LOL work!!!! LOL
Well I have to re provision a bit and get some diesel fuel and water then I'll
bee set up for a while. May have to make a run West to St. Thomas for some
Hurricane supplies.... thought being if I'm prepared no storms will bother
coming my way.
later
da Wayward Sailor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was looking for the hurricane list of emergency
supplies to post here and can't seem to find my list. Some days, I would lose my
head, if it wasn't tied down.
My mother used to get exasperated with us children
occasionally. She wanted to raise smart children and she instilled a love for
books and reading in us early on. But as children often do, we could be lazy and
act dumb. She would yell "Use your head for something besides a hat
rack!"
So, I've tried to rewrite the hurricane shopping list
of emergencies:
Rum
Batteries
Rum
Canned Goods
Rum
Candles
Rum
Bottle Water
Rum
Matches
Rum
CD
Rum
Big Heavy Duty Garbage Bags
Rum
Chocolate
Rum
Ganja
Rum
Gasoline
Rum
What? A CD? Yes, everyone needs at least
ONE CD on hand. It's great for signaling after the hurricane. If the sun catches
the CD while you are twisting it around, it makes a really bright signaling
device, better than a mirror.
Those big heavy duty garbage bags are for bagging up
your valuables before the storm and before all the leaks in your house or boat
spring open. The wind is so fierce, that water pours inside from
everywhere, even from the tiny earthquake cracks, and around all your doors and
windows, it's like the whole place sweats rains. Ditto for your boat. You think
you own a nice dry boat. Ha! Let it sit through one hurricane and you will
have leaks where you never dreamed of them. Also, your rigging takes a beating.
Many are dismasted shortly after hurricanes, due to rigging failure. Check your
rigging thoroughly before you set sail. You might be surprised what you find.
Also the hurricane will sometimes knock your rig out of tune (and it sings off
key.)
One of my most memorable hurricanes, I was at Nanny Cay
and all the boats in the marina and the yard, were singing. It sounded like
a thousand flutes playing off-key. It was an eerie sound that only another
hurricane can duplicate.
Do NOT stay on your boat during a hurricane. Stay
ashore in a solid building with friends (better hurricane parties that way
too!)
I've never been through a hurricane where there wasn't
a great party and copious amounts of libations, herbs and food being passed
around, typically by candlelight.
Anyhow, now is the time to get ready and stock up for a
hurricane. If everyone in the islands is PREPARED, then the hurricanes won't
come. Proven fact.
From dat
Dear Miss Mermaid
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yep I'm running away from the Midwest and it's
perpetual rain and cold
temps heading back down to sunny
paradise. Looking forward to warm
weather, and looking over the
Sir Francis Drake Channel.
Many people enjoy the adventure of traveling,
I'm of the mind set that
I get into my travel coma and look for the
best place to dine where
ever I'm laying over. This time it's a
Dallas layover. Got a couple
of hours to kill, so I was
hungry for Southwest or Texas style food.
Found a great place here at
the "D" concourse of American called Reata
Grill. Tamales, pico
de gallo, Texas ranch beans, and rice. For us
midwestern folks
it's hard to get any kind of good Texas style food
and this was a
treat for me. This evening Ill be lodging at the Best
Western
right at the San Juan airport. Some of you may have had to
spend
the night there during your travels to the BVI. It's not
uncommon to get stuck. These days American Eagle has reduced
flights
down to there summer schedule as well as Cape Air. The other
issue
this week is that with Spirit airlines out on strike it's tough
to
make it all the way to Tortola.
Alas, it's just a big
adventure and I make the best of it like eating
good food.
Planning on having to get out in my gardens and work off
the tamales I
just ate.
Have been looking at Invest 92 (I think that's the
number) it's
worth watching. Since I have no sailboat to put up
on the hard I have
no worries there. However, having a home is a
different story. My
plans are to make a provision list for
hurricane season. A trip to
Rite way will be on my agenda on
Tuesday. My list will
include....water, batteries, candles,
canned food, ice, paper plates,
plastic forks, chocolate and
such. Ill also have enough pop, juice,
dry cerial its an easy
snack. Maybe some rum....to be used only in
case of overwhelming fear,
or injury....you never know when you will
stub your toe.... Ill
also make sure i have planty of propane and bug
spray.
All of
my windows have shutters, that are marked labeled and stowed
away in
sequence. If it looks like it may come our way one call and
my
gardener goes into action putting them up.
Let's hope this one stays away
from us but maybe Dear Miss Mermaid can
help me out with the rest of
the necessities just in case this one
comes close. Bye from
Dallas.
The Mermaid Gardener
Sent from my iPhone
Well, after Dear Miss Mermaid wrote her list, she saw
the Mermaid Gardener is back en route to the BVI with her list for the hurricane
supplies. She remembered BUG SPRAY like the famous OFF is of paramount
importance. Which if you can find Citronella candles in your shopping tour, grab
all you can. Don't be skimpy on the candles either. I used to go to Supa Valu
and get cases of the candles in the glass globes. Yes CASES.
I think it was 15 to a case, and I bought 3, leaving me
45 candles. I typically lit about 15 at once during a power outage (when we say
dat current done mash up!) The candles eventually burn down and you need
the other two cases to replenish.
When I lived in my one bedoom tiny apartment, it took a
case of candles to light up the place and then you felt right at home. You could
see to negotiate around the place. Placing them high up often helps, like
on top of the refrigerator (it's good for nothing else once dat current goes
off). Also, you want at least once candle in the bathroom. You will
make frequent trips there during a storm (my tummy never liked hurricanes,
probably because I was worried about my uninsured boat that was tucked
away).
Before the hurricane, it's a good idea to use your
buckets and garbage cans and anything that will hold water, and fill them all up
with water. Many folks stick a 55 gallon garbage can in their shower before the
storm, fill that up and use a smaller bucket to scoop out water to flush the
commode when the stench becomes overwhelming. In the islands, most
folks rely on either their cistern and electrical water pump for water or the
government's water, referred to as street water. Bot typically do not work
before and during a hurricane.
If you live on a boat, start asking your friends NOW,
if you can come crash at their place in the event of a hurricane scare, so you
know you have something already worked out in advance.
If you are lucky enough like dat Wayward Sailor to have
a portable generator, you will probably get LOTS of invitations to come stay at
other's houses. Not because they want your fine company, but because they want
you to bring dat generator with ya! Ha ha!
One year, when I was working as a Private Chef, I
had done this small fickle wedding. Afterwards, the bride and groom asked me to
return a case of champagne they had not drank. Actually, the wine distributor
has misunderstood my order. They wanted 4 bottles of expensive champagne and the
distributor dropped off 4 cases. They managed to drink 3 cases and gave me the
4th to return.
I had foolishly told a few people about this. The
hurricane came before I got the case returned. Well, guess what. A few souls
came knocking at my door before the storm. We lit all the candles and sat
around, well bored, once the rum ran out.
So, pop open the bubbly and $1200 later... I
ended up having to pay for the case of champagne myself. But it was FUN
times. I think that was the hurricane I managed to roll up sushi for
snacks too and shock everyone. I think I promised them peanut butter and
crackers, then returned from the kitchen with sushi. Yes, sushi goes with
champagne, rather well.
Gert, the owner of StormCarib.com, actually managed to
fly into the BVI one year, just in time for a hurricane scare. He didn't plan it
that way, it just happened. He ended up at my place with his lovely wife.
Hmm... now that I think of that, it seems 9 months later they had
twins...
Yep, there is always a baby boom after the hurricane. I
guess most folks forget to shop for birth control before the storm.
By the way, Dear Miss Mermaid is also posting at the Other Blog, on her current
mayhem and adventures as she goes on walkabout... One day soon, dat crazy
Dear Miss Mermaid will be back in de islands.
Meanwhile she owes a BIG HEAP OF THANKS to dat Wayward Sailor and dat
Mermaid Gardener for keeping the live local reports happening here.
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- Mondaze in the Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:23:33 EDT
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Very nice night with steady winds about 8 knots from the North East.
Bug free and very comfortable sleeping in da rocking boat. Late Sunday
afternoon we did have a couple of short showers... well one was a min-storm but
was only a few minutes long and did clear the decks of salt spray and what was
left of the Sharai dust.
This AM has a Mostly Sunny sky with mild winds of about 10 knots from the
East. Sir Francis Drake Channel still has some Eastern swells built up by
the winds and in the Narrows the boats continue to pound their way East but have
a dashing good time going West. Lots of boats in the bay last night and
today. More than we have had in a few weeks. The rains of last month
reduced the visitors a good bit. It is warm, about 86 with the water about
the same but the nice breeze helps!
Have a bunch of computer things to do today... wish I had a place to do it
as doing them on the bunk while laying down isn't very comfortable after a
while! It also leads to typing errors we all have seen. Well gotta
get to it!
later
da Wayward Sailor
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE:
Dear
Wayward Sailor – I found your blog as I was searching the internet looking for
info and weather before we headed on our vacation to Tortola back in
March 2010. My husband and I found your blog very entertaining. We also
found your blog -so close to the truth of the island way. We stayed in
Cane
Garden
Bay. We had a
great time –up until we were about to leave Cane
Garden
Bay. The
problem we ran into, well he ATM at Myett’s was out of money. So was the ATM at
the Super Market on the back road. All the ATM’s in cane Garden
Bay were out
of money!!! The cruise ships were due in that day. How on earth would these
vacationers be able to spend cash in the beach front bars?? LOL -so typical
island way. We did tell the Manager at Myett’s. He said they were all out
of cash, because it was a bank holiday the day before. Well lack of good
judgment on our part for drinking up all our money on our last night, before we
shoved off the next day to head over to St.
Thomas.
Thank God we did not check out of our motel room. We were able to
get a cash advance from the Front Desk. We just love
Tortola and
Stormcarib.com!!! Well maybe next march when we stay at the cottages- first week
of March –we can have a drink together!!! Safe sailing! The
OConnors
thanks for
your lovely letter! We are publishing it tomorrow! If my internet holds
up...
DearMissMermaid.Com
and Wayward Sailor
LOL –thanks
– too funny!! I just saw a typo – missing a t in front of
the-thanks!
U are a
mystery to us and many others. Keep the blog going and all of us wondering!!
Enjoy the islands today. I will enjoy a gray NJ day today. Argh!!! Wish I were
on Tortola or Jost Van
Dyke right now!!! Oh well, will have to wait til next March.The OConnors
We
love messages in a bottle! Keep them coming!
DMM
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- Sunday the 13th in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:32:28 EDT
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Warm night with frequent but very short showers. Up and down all
night opening and closing the hatches. After the short showers the winds
seem to die off for a while and the bugs come out for dinner!
This AM it is mostly Sunny so far with puffy white clouds that may turn
gray later in the day but still only scattered showers. Temp is already 86
and the water temp is about the same. It is still nice when you get in to
swim and when you get out and get a bit of wind chill. Doing so often
these days to keep cool and using lots of fresh water for a quick rinse.
Winds have clocked from the North East to South East and have been light so
far but the Sir Francis Drake Channel still has the eastern choppy swells
causing East Bound boats to pound and hobby horse a bit. More power
boaters around in the days than we saw last week but also getting more sail
boats with owner crews not the charter boats. Still lots of us who have
not put our boat away for the season as it is our HOME and can only plan on what
to do if a big storm comes our way. Everyone is keeping a close eye on the
distant weather.
Will be heading East for a couple of days early next week and hope I'll be
able to get a good angle on the wind this time. Late trip was very hazy
and we still have haze but it may be a bit less thick now. Will see if I
can get some sailin shots worth posting!
later
da wayward sailor
The mess southwest of the Azores has become better organized. It bears
watching, even though it's no threat to the BVI at this time.
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- Something to watch...
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 08:58:01 EDT
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Something to watch...
A broad area of low pressure about 750 miles southwest of the Cape Verde
Islands is showing some signs of organization. It's meandering 10-15 miles
per hour, headed west northwest.
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- Saturdaze in the Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:39:52 EDT
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Nice bright start to the day! Well to be honest.... I slept
LATE. Had a Pizza party for one last night and over did it. Well not
totally for one... I was on SKPYE talking to a friend exhorting the fantastic
Pizza creation I had made in my oven on da boat! Yes it was a bit meanish
but we both enjoyed it and the overall chat..... while I ate and had a glass of
wine.... I love to cook with Wine... sometimes I even put some wine in
what I'm cooking!!!
Winds died down last night to about 4 knots or less, seas near flat.
This AM we are forecast to have North East winds near 14 knots but just a hint
or two of them yet. Sir Francis Drake Channel still appears to have seas
under 4 but very few boats are out yet and I can't see how they fair as they
make their way up wind.
Low chance of any real rain, just the odd shower. I do see a small
disorganized local blob moving in from the East but it may pass us to the South
and just shoot us a cloud or two in the afternoon. Water Temp is near 86
under da boat in the bay... wonder if that is because I'm such a warm
guy???? Don't know but it sure feels nice to jump in and have just a short
nice temp shock then total comfort as you swim a bit. Just hope the warm
water does not cause problems later!
Well time for another cup of coffee on the deck. Great to have a bit
of breeze going and just enough sea state to rock your boat a bit.
Mmmmm I feel a nap coming on! Can't over do it you know... always time to
do work... LATER....It is just not good to Jump into working when you can do
something else! like take a nap, a swim or go for a hike... going to do that
later as I walk my trash to the waste bin about a mile or so down the trail.
later
da Wayward Sailor
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- June 11 in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:22:22 EDT
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Friday started out with several short showers and partly cloudy sky with
sun and rain often at the same time. Winds are well below forecast,
presently only about 5 knots but we did have a nice fresh breeze most of the
night, keeping da bugs away.
My cup of coffee is good but had an e-mail from a friend that was even a
better wake up! Some people just know how to get me going in the early
AM!!! Few sea gulls out this AM... possible sign of the lesser weather we
should be seeing later in the weekend. By this time they are normally on
the dink and sometimes on the bow pushpit screaming for something to eat.
None around so far.
The Sir Francis Drake Channel was kicking up late yesterday afternoon with
East bound boats doing the hobby horse thing into 3 to 5 foot swells, some with
small white caps. The short frequency caused most boats 30 to 60 feet to
make a big splash as they fought their way up wind against the seas.
Today the Channel looks much calmer with few white caps and what appears to
be seas under 4 feet. The forecast calls for winds up to 18 knots so it
could change quickly and become a real sailin day! But I'll hang in here
and read a bit, do a few clean ups and take a swim and quit fighting this
computer that is locking up about every 4 words as it performs its infernal
updates!!
later
da Wayward Sailor
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- Thursday already
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:11:34 EDT
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Been out sailin.... Made a down wind run to Cruz Bay then on to St. James's
Christmas Cove. They (DNR) have put in mooring on the Eastern Side of the
cove. That is good and bad... good because it makes it easy to get a good
night sleep on a good mooring, bad because it removes half of the anchor space
that Christmas Cove has... you can still anchor on the Western side... for
now. No fee is being charged at this time and they have a limit to the
number of days you can stay... sign was soo small I could not read it! By
doing this they did chase away boats that were taking up the space as a free
anchorage for liveaboards who commuted by dink to St. Thomas to work and boats
owners did not want to pay slip or mooring fees for. Some of the boats
were getting in bad shape. Came into port with my computer and laundry...
walked a mile or so down the road in the heat only to find out "da current
mashed up". Not wanting to walk back to the boat with the dirty laundry I
decided to stay a while and have a beer that was still cool. By the time I
finished it, da lectric mon soon come. With da current
Un-mashed, I was able to get the laundry done but all the other power outlets
were hooked up to fans. One thing is sure... you DO NOT unplug someones
fan when they are using it!!!
Winds picked up early Tuesday AM and have been in the 13 to 18 knot area
most of the time and from the East with a few jogs North and South
occasionally. We have a front moving toward us from the South West that
will bring some 20 knots winds by the weekend and 40% chance of rain with partly
cloudy conditions. Had a short shower last night just after I returned to
St. John Eastern End and Tortola's Western End but by the time I got the hatches
closed it was over and the winds dried everything out fast. No bugs!
In a 15 to 18 knot fresh breeze... not too many mosquitoes can grab on to you to
bite!
Looks like a good day today, I may even have to break down and get some
work done!!! ARRrrrrrgh, I almost have this limi'n thing down but I
still feel guilty about not getting anything done. You do not have limi'n
down correctly until you have no guilt about not doing something that needs to
be done.
Think the winds on Tortola are causing problems with power and internet....
hope they find a way to improve reliability fast!! This season could be a
windy one.
later
da Wayward Sailor
Pics coming soon!
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- Incredible Pics
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2010 06:43:47 EDT
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Older reports from the BVI have been moved to another page.
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