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For the most recent reports from the BVI see this page.
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- Hurricane Earl has 110mph winds
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:00:49 EDT
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LOCATION...18.4N 62.9W
ABOUT 25 MI...40 KM NNE OF ST. MARTIN
ABOUT
140 MI...220 KM E OF ST. THOMAS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...110 MPH...175 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR
285 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...965 MB...28.50
INCHES
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- 1am Monday
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:54:41 EDT
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Woke up at 12:30 local. Thought the wind was blowing but it was only
the AC system in the room. First I've had in a long time at night.
Don't know how to adjust it and it is in C so ever what 17 is ... that what the
room is trying to be. I had a blanket on the bed!
Woke
because I needed something to drink.... had not had a sundowner so after a nice
chug of water I fixed a small one... only one I could fix because they only have
two small glasses in the bathroom and about 1/4 a class of ice from the dinky
frig in the room. TV does not work so I went with drink in hand down to
the dock at this marina and took a look around. Overcast sky, moon hiding
behind dark clouds but occasionally let its location be known.... no
stars.
Wind is only about 13 knots but I'm close to the mountains
but didn't see any white caps or hear anything such as rigging howls. The
little I could see about the boats on the moorings is that they all seem to be
pointed in the North North West direction. Still nothing indicating a
problem in a very few hours. It does not appear to have rained hard yet, only
the small shower we had about the time I was getting to the Motel. I do
hear a bit of thunder to our South. PR Radar shows a band of
storm cells moving through but they seem well South of Tortola at
this time.
Reports show Earl has increased in power.... not a good thing for most
guys and not this one for sure!
Did notice a bit of increased activity at the local food stores but
not the type mad rush I was accustom to seeing in Florida when a storm
was on our door steps. People were only getting what they needed for
a couple of days... in Florida most people get what they would need for a week
or more!
Hope to have some photos in the AM if I still have internet.
Going to get some more sleep but will shoot another off when I can.
Hope all will be safe.
Later
da Wayward Sailor
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- 100 mile per hour winds with Hurricane Earl
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:56:52 EDT
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At 10:37pm, the 11pm report from NOAA arrived:
Hurricane EARL is a category Two hurricane
LOCATION...17.9N 61.1W
ABOUT 50 MI...80 KM ENE OF BARBUDA
ABOUT 130
MI...215 KM E OF ST. MARTIN
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...100
MPH...160 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24
KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...971 MB...28.67 INCHES
The location refers to the eye of the storm. This big bad boy,
is rather large.
They might have confused knots and miles per hour:
Saffir-Simpson
Scale
| Category |
Wind
- Knots |
Wind
- MPH |
Pressure - MB |
| 1 |
65 -
82 |
74 -
95 |
>
980 |
| 2 |
83 -
95 |
96 -
110 |
965 -
979 |
| 3 |
96 -
113 |
111 -
130 |
945 -
964 |
| 4 |
114 -
135 |
131 -
155 |
920 -
944 |
| 5 |
>
135 |
>
155 |
<
920 |
With Hurricane Early Earl slowing
down in movement, at only 15mph, he could very well churn himself into
a category three, soon. 
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- Eye of Earl?
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:31:44 EDT
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Another report in from the West End area:
Hi there,
yes we are all taking it rather seriously as it seems that this time we
are going to get a hit...actually I think that as it has moved a little more to
the North, although they now predict it to be a cat 3 as it passes us that we
will not be right in the centre of it.
Lots of activity at all the boat yards today with all the boat yard
managers looking very harrassed! I helped put three boats to bed this morning
and then went home and got everything ready there. All my plants are now inside
and the place resembles a jungle. The evening sky was beautiful with lots of
colour...very moody...
earl has now slowed down and is now due more towards tomorrow evening.
I will let you know as and when things progress.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Where is the eye of Earl? I looked at the 8pm satellite picture,
and the eye is not clearly defined.
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- Early Earl is on his way to the British Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:14:20 EDT
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8pm Hurricane Earl
LOCATION...17.7N 60.3W
ABOUT 100 MI...160 KM E OF BARBUDA
ABOUT 185
MI...300 KM E OF ST. MARTIN
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85
MPH...140 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...972
MB...28.70 INCHES
A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR... *
ANTIGUA...BARBUDA...MONTSERRAT...ST. KITTS...NEVIS...AND ANGUILLA * SAINT
MARTIN AND SAINT BARTHELEMY * ST. MAARTEN...SABA...AND ST. EUSTATIUS *
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
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- Local Report from the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:51:01 EDT
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I'm one tired sailor! Up since about 5 and have been working hard all
day. It has been hot and have not had much break in the sunshine until the
afternoon when a few dark clouds came past and about 6 we had a short shower in
East End, Tortola.
While the activity among most boaters was visibly increasing day...
the general public did not seem to get into the storm prep until after
Church... Guess Hell Fire and Brimstone were not the only bad news the
Congregations received word of?????
I'm now in a small motel room just off the bay and I can see my boat and
her bare poles and stripped of all canvas and external items except finders and
lines. Our marina manager advised all to double up each of the mooring
lines with an additional line and if possible one to the top ring of the
mooring. I now have 5 lines on the mooring ball which has two tethers
rather tan the single one you see on most mooring balls.
We did see lots of movement of boats.... and a few late to act power boat
people who came into the bay looking lost and in search of some place to
park. Yes I say Park because most of these people have no idea how to
anchor. A few dropped anchor in an adjacent mooring field... guess they
thought if so many boats were here it must be a good spot. After a bit
they were informed they could not anchor within a mooring field as they would
over swing a half a dozen boats. Saw a group of 4 large Cats leaving just
as 4 similar boats came in and went into a small cove on the Western edge of the
bay.... never knew such a place existed! One day I'll have to dink over
and take a look...
Really tired now. Monday will be another hard day for different
reasons but on the last reports, Earl had finally started making some Northers
movement.... guess it is never too late... just wish it were sooner and More!
and still hope it is enough to spare this wonderful little island.
More later... after I take a nap!
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- Pictures from the islands, before the storm
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:57:13 EDT
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Photos from around 2-3pm in West End, Tortola, TODAY!
As you can see, quite a few boats are still in the marinas. That catamaran
appears to have a sail cover on his boom, does that mean the sail is still on
it?
THANK you to the wonderful photographer who so generously shared these
pictures!
Look at the lines on this boat, I don't see any chafe gear out at all.
P1050961.JPG
The calm before the storm... the ferries seem to have run
off and hid, but look at that big power boat on a mooring.
P1050962.JPG
I believe this big boat is the Leyland Sneed, unless they changed
the name. It's been sitting in West End for a couple of years. Notice
their canvas tarp is still up, I don't see any sacrificial chafing gear on the
bow's chain. 
P1050963.JPG
Ok, this boat
has a few fenders out, the sails are stored, but again, no chafing gear on
those lines. They look like standard lines, nothing heavy duty, nothing
doubled up.
P1050964.JPG
This shows a few extra lines run to the boat. Why is that anchor
not deployed? No chafe gear and you can see the lines draped
over the wooden dock. There is a cleat unused, can't tell if it is perhaps
broken or twisted, or just not in use.
P1050965.JPG
Me thinks this hurricane may catch some
boat owners and islanders unawares. 
Someone else called me, that had spoke to
someone on Tortola, who wasn't doing anything to prepare for the hurricane.
I hope everyone survives! I wish I
were a window salesman, a lot of folks might be shopping for some real
soon...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Years back, I was typing hurriedly for a
storm report. I had been to a marina to check on conditions and finalize my
own boat preparations.
I watched a guy show up to his rather
big sailboat, around 50-60 feet, then proceed to use chains to attach his
sailboat to the dock cleats. He also put padlocks on the chains.
While typing "I watched him chain and lock his boat to his dock" I
made a monumental GOOF and typed dick instead of dock... The avalanche of
emails arrived with questions like "Chain and lock his boat to his
WHAT???"
I shall strive to type better...
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- Hurricane Earl is on his way, watch out for this big bad boy!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:28:04 EDT
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5pm Hurricane Earl Sunday August 29 2010
Location 17.6 N 59.5 W
340 Miles East of St martin
Winds at 85 mph
Movement at 14mph WNW (285 degrees)
Minimum Central Pressure 978 mb
The government of Antigua and Barbuda has
issued a hurricane warning for the British Virgin Islands
5pm Earl
Heaven help you, time to RUSH your preparations and get ready for the big
one!
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- Yikes, Earl seems so big, and the islands so tiny
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:26:27 EDT
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- live from st martin, web cam
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:13:20 EDT
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- 2pm update on Hurricane Earl
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:07:02 EDT
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NOAA puts the 2pm plot of hurricane EARL (his eye) at 190 miles east
of Antigua.
17.4 North,58.9 West
978 MB
75mph Winds
movement WNW (give or take) at 15mph 
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- boat advice... hurricane stories...
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:01:10 EDT
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Washed up on the seashore: Message in a Bottle:
Hi,
enjoyed the photos. No wonder
our boat insurance is so high in the Caribbean!
Brian
From Dear Miss Mermaid
For boaters new to this hurricane mess...
Remember sacrificial chafe gear. I used to take my old
towels, wrap them around the chain and lines, tie them down with bits of
string, then put duct tape over the whole mess. The usual chafe gear shreds
pretty quickly when the boat be a bouncing around.
Also check your RIGGING after the storm. It takes a helluva vibration
during the storm, things break, unscrew and loosen up.
During a storm, all sorts of tiny leaks may spring up around stanchions and
anything else thru-bolted the deck, unless there is a goodly amount of 5200
sealant under them all. My nickname was the Ziploc Queen because when I opened
up a sailboat locker, all my junk was hiding in Ziplocs. This comes in
real handy if those weird hurricane leaks show up.
Some people put Vaseline around their rubber edged hatches in hopes it
makes a better seal.
During Hurricane Marilyn, I thought my boat went through unscathed. That is
until I noticed the rigging had pulled the starboard chain plate up... I
replaced all the chain plates afterwards. My rigging was only about 3 years old
at the time, the rig needed retuning after surviving two hurricanes in ten
days.
Another lady, a well seasoned salt, left the dock, after the hurricane had
passed. She was anxious to get down island. About two hours into her cruise, the
entire rig came tumbling down, narrowly missing her. She came back into port,
packed up and flew home. Her beloved boat was put up for sale and she
said that was the end of her sailing days.
During Marilyn, I'll admit, I was caught unawares, with no food. At the
last minute, I shared a 2nd floor hotel room with my then boyfriend who had
flown in to check on hurricane Luis damages to his sailboat in the yard.
We were so busy getting both our boats prepped for the hurricane, that by
the time we got to the grocery store, it was locked up tight. The employees had
fled to go take care of their own homes and boats, leaving no one to man the
store.
He had dried apricots and pistachio nuts stored on his boat. We took them
to the hotel room. We lived off that for nearly 3 days. I still hate dried
apricots, or dried anything. I can't eat a pistachio without thinking
about that hotel room in the dark, being hungry and scared.
The hotel only gave us two towels and one candle. Even on the second floor,
the winds forced the rain through the doors and shuttered windows. We were an
inch deep in water for 2 days, with no broom or mop or towels to push it back
out with.
My stomach wasn't happy. I made numerous trips to the toilet. There was a
tiny window in there with crank out shutters. Like a fool, I opened it slightly
to peek out at the hurricane. Suddenly my ears popped and the wind held the
bathroom door firmly shut. It wouldn't budge. The wood had swelled up and the
winds were pushing on it, making it hard to impossible, to open.
After about a half hour, my boyfriend realized I had been in the bathroom a
LONG time. He had not heard me banging and hollering because the
hurricane was so noisy.
The masts on the sailboats in the yard, marina and harbor sounded like
10,000 flutes playing off key.
It was hot an sticky, we shed our clothes and were laying on the bed, each
of us with our nose stuck in a book, reading by flashlight. I rolled over and
noticed the overhead ceiling fan was vibrating badly. We had no
electricity, it went off ten minutes after we checked into the hotel room.
I jumped up to find my clothes and put them back on. He did likewise. If
the roof blew off, it would have sucked out our clothes scattered on the spare
bed and we might have found ourselves naked in a storm, seeking more shelter.
A friend of mine stayed on his boat alone during hurricane Marilyn while
his wife stayed ashore. She was clearly the smarter of the two.
When their boat started breaking up and going out to sea, he jumped
overboard, fully clothed with two dive flippers on his feet. I
guess a scared man can swim pretty fast. Somehow he made it ashore in Great Cruz
Bay, on St John, where there is a luxury hotel.
The only problem was, the storm ravaged waters had stripped him naked,
leaving him with only one flipper for cover. A hunk of his rear end was missing
and his body was severely battered. He banged on a hotel door, they let him in,
wrapped him in a sheet but insisted he lay on the floor and not the furniture. A
few days later, he was air lifted to a Puerto Rican hospital, where he spent
weeks recuperating from his injuries. His wife was informed of all this, when
she listed him as missing with the Red Cross. After the storm or hurricane, if
things are bad, the Red Cross is usually first on the scene to set up aid. They
make lists of missing people, in hopes they are eventually found.
Another friend had a beautiful catamaran. He left it on anchors in Cruz Bay
but it, like many other simply vanished during hurricane Marilyn. A few
weeks later, he was visiting on Jost Van Dyke. He found the name board to his
boat, washed up on the shore, in the bushes. He never found another piece
of his boat and he looked everywhere, scouting out many remote islands,
literally looking in the bushes. What was left of them.
Another sailor was blown out to sea on his boat during the hurricane. He
managed to swim to an uninhabited island. A few days later, a kayak washed up on
shore. He found a flip-flop and was paddling his way back to civilization, with
his hand and the one flip-flop, severely dehydrated, sun burned and only
tattered rags wrapped around his hips. Some one motoring along, spied this
odd sight and came to his rescue.
All these stories are frighteningly true.
I hope we have NO awful stories to tell after this hurricane. I pray
it will spare everyone and that no one is injured...or worse.
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- 1pm from the Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:00:13 EDT
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Weather Underground reports ...
Tonight
Tropical storm conditions possible with hurricane conditions
also possible. North winds 17 to 22 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet. Scattered showers.
Monday
Tropical storm conditions expected with hurricane conditions
possible. Northwest winds 36 to 46 knots. Gusts up to 75 knots increasing to 95
knots in the afternoon. Seas 6 to 10 feet. Widespread showers and scattered
thunderstorms.
Monday Night
Tropical storm conditions expected with hurricane conditions
possible. West southwest winds 36 to 46 knots. Gusts up to 95 knots decreasing
to 75 knots after midnight. Seas 4 to 7 feet. Widespread showers and scattered
thunderstorms.
Hope that is higher than what we will see!
So far we are seeing North West Winds about 12 to 14 knots with an
occasional gust that causes some of the boats to have the rigging sing.
Now most boats are bare poles but a few still have sails and canvas up and even
some with dinks attached to the davits.
I'm going ashore after I finish up here this evening and will not return
until probably Wed if the weather has improved. Possibly just in time for
the next storm!!!!
Still it appears many people have no idea we may see 45+ winds and no one
seems to consider 95 knot winds!
Seems my internet service got their act together... wonder how long it will
hole up? I'll try to report as often as Possible if I have service.
later
da Wayward Saillor
East End Tortola, BVI
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- 1237pm Sunday in the Virgin Islands, before Hurricane Earl...
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:37:43 EDT
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I just talked to friends of mine in the BVI on their cell
phone. They proclaimed the weather as gorgeous and were out on a day
charter with paying guests. I was flabbergasted to learn they are not
aware of hurricane EARL, thinking it was still far out in the
Atlantic, where Invest 97L happens to be.
Pictures from Webcams:
Cruz Bay, St John, 1211pm Sunday, LOOK at all those boats just sitting
there, sails, awnings, and biminis are in evidence on many boats. Does the
threat of 75-100 mph winds not concern them in the least? This is mind
boggling! Maybe the storm will somehow bypass the islands and nothing at
all will happen.
The eerie calm before the storm at Soggy Dollar webcam 12noon.
Jolly Roger webcam at noon, a catamaran is leaving the harbor.
Click to enlarge any picture.
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- Hurricane Earl will strengthen as it gets closer
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:24:04 EDT
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Folks in the Virgin Islands, need to wake up and pay attention. Winds
from Hurricane Earl are already at 75 miles per hour, while you won't get a
whole lot of damage, the chance for destruction goes up exponentially with
the winds. So 100 mile per hour winds can do triple the damage expected at 75
mile per hour winds.
I've seen coconuts fly by in 100 mile per hour winds, it's like a cannon
shot! Be super careful when you open the door to check on the storm.
During one hurricane my friend opened the front door, and it slammed shut,
breaking her foot. She spent 3 more days with that broken foot, due to
the roads being blocked after the hurricane, she couldn't reach medical help.
Even so, by the time she arrived, they were already out of plaster and couldn't
even put a cast on for her, so a few more days went by before emergency supplies
arrived for her to a proper cast on the foot.
Another friend, stepped out on their deck, only to be literally decked by a
flying board, he never saw coming. Somehow his friends managed to drag him back
inside.
I myself am a fool too. During the eye of a hurricane, I ran out to check
on my boat, then ran back to the condo I was staying in. The winds started back
up before I reached the door, they picked me up and plastered me to the fence,
with my feet dangling about a foot or more from the ground. Someone ran
out and peeled me off the fence. They claim my tan had turned pale
white!
Well, enough foolishness, time to stock up NOW while the stores are still
open.
The Virgin Islands sign is way off course, the islands are further south
than the writing shows. That orange dot is not the islands, but the supposed
position at 8pm Monday, north of the islands.
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- Hurricane Earl
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:03:47 EDT
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9:20 AM
LOCATION...17.1N 57.7W
ABOUT 365 MI...585 KM E OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD
ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W
OR 280 DEGREES AT 18 MPH...30 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...985 MB...29.09
INCHES per NOAA.
Taking a rest break! Have internet for the moment so here is the
latest.
Have taken a room ashore for the next 3 nights with a view of my Bay at
East End Tortola.
Getting a few things ready to move into the room before the seas and winds
get too high. Not able to move much, mostly Electronics and important
documents and a bit of food that will not spoil. Having to run the
generator to charge up the batteries since I no longer have Solar Power as the
panels are now inside the cabin secured. Hate to think of the trouble in
getting them back up! Only took about an hour to get them and the bimini
down but will take half a day getting them back up! and that will require
minimal winds before that can be contemplated.
Still see few non boaters doing much of anything. The people at the
store I stoped in for a drink and some cookies had no idea when the storm was
due only that a storm was out in the ocean. Light overall winds but we do
get a small gust up to 10 knots occasionally. Sky is mostly sunny still
but more clouds are apparent. Only a few charter boats appear out....most
boats are the ferry services and the commercial container boats but that is
rather typical for a Sunday.
Well back to packing up stuff and getting a load to my motel room about
noon when it is suppose to be ready for me.
Will check in as time and internet availability permit.
later
da Wayward Sailor
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- Early Earl messing with us, headed westerly
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:52:20 EDT
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Tropical Storm Earl is creeping up to hurricane status with 70mph winds.
The eye of the storm is located at:
17.1N 57.6W
He is moving about 18mph to the WEST.
Minimum central pressure is 985 MB
A hurricane watch is in effect for the Virgin Islands. (Watch it come right
at us!)
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the British Virgin
Islands.
WARNING means hurricane or storm conditions are expected within 36
hours.
WATCH means hurricane or storm conditions are possible within the next 36
hours.
A report from West End:
Usual last minute people in West End!! More
concerned that the Fiona one will come before accessment from earl. I
will try and keep you posted till elec goes but think we are ok till Monday eve,
have to go to town and stock up so will email you later
today...
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- Sunday 29 pre Earl
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 07:42:48 EDT
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Got up at first light to take down the solar Panels and
bimini and make plans for what is to come... still a bit unknown at this
point.
Internet keeps going in and out and it has nothing to do
with the coming storm... just what occurs on weekend when most companies are
closed. If the problem is not self healing then it will wait until
Monday. Good thing some places have more automated internet reconnect but
the main one’s do not seem to be into it.
I still can not see many locals doing much for the storm
at this point. Some boating interest are doing work but some are
not.
Last night was warm and almost no breeze. What
little wind occurred was from the North at under 5 knots. This AM is sunny
with a few scattered clouds but promises to be another typical hot day.
Winds occasionally pick up for a bit but only to about 10 knots then they seem
to take a break and it is still once again.
Will attempt to sent more reports when internet and time
permit. For now I need to do some shore side business!
Later
da Wayward
Sailor
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- Hurricane Earl 11pm August 28 2010
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:34:11 EDT
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link to full size picture
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- Early Earl approaching hurricane strength as he wobbles closer to the Virgin Is.
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:27:59 EDT
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Plenty of spaghetti thrown at this one!
Updated 11pm:
11pm Early Earl, almost a
himmacane
16.6 North, 55.4 West
65 mph winds
989mb
Moving WNW at 20mph
THIS JUST IN from Wayward Sailor at Penns Landing, Tortola,
BVI:
The CCT card connection says I have an error on Name / password or not
authorized for system. Typically get same message a dozen times a month
and typically on Weekends and usually by Monday it works again... it is now not
working all day. Had to use the WIFI at Penn's Landing this AM and it
works OK while you are near the office but when I'm on the boat I'm near max
range and it fades in and out and sometime it looses the internet connection
even when I have WIFI connection with the marina. May be some
internet problem island wide or just on CCT.... think that is who the land line
with the Marina is using.
Appears that few people know or care about the potential storm. The
marina people, including here at Penn's Landing are taking steps but non-boat
related people don't seem to know yet any problem may be around the bend.
No increase in shoppers at the new Riteway Market at East End. At home in
Panama City Florida, the racks would be out of water, batteries and much of the
canned food.. no rushes here yet.
I took the sails down and have the boom tied to the rail. Will remove
the solar panels and bimini at first light and secure what else I can.
Will then look into getting a motel room or some other alternative for the next
two and probably 3 nights. Rather not be on the boat if the storm moves
closer. Some post have it within 85 miles.... that is far too close for
any storm 1 or 2 and it could well be a 2 by the time it reaches us.
I see the internet has dropped off again and not sure when/ if this will
ever be sent!
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- Better be ready or knot!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:25:00 EDT
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- Tropical Storm Watch issued for the BVI !
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:03:46 EDT
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Early Earl is in a hurry to be early!
Max sustained winds are 60mph, so not officially a hurricane or himmacane
YET. He is racing at 23mph.
Current location is 16.5N 54.2W
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- Pre Earl Weekend
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:01:42 EDT
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Well that o'l Earl has not understood the messages that he is
unwelcome! He still has not made any move North and the Virgin Islands are
becoming more of a potential target.
I'm seeing some moves at prep by the marine community as boats move into
Hurricane Holes and others are re positioned away from Marinas to reduce
potential damage from boats. Lots of canvas coming down today. I'll
be dropping my jib and moving the main boom to the deck... may pull off the sail
tonight or in the AM if things do not look better. My main problem is the
Bimini where my solar cells are located. Not a huge job to take them down
with a much larger one putting them back up and I'll be without their
power. May try to rig something temp on the deck where I can quickly move
them inside when necessary. Topping up all I can and re checking the
mooring lines. Presently we do not anticipate winds over 30 knots but that
could change if Earl doe not start the move North.
Yesterday was picture perfect as far as how things looked. Bright
sunshine but very hot. Today is much the same... no indication of any
potential problems. Winds were so light most of the afternoon and night a
light produces a line through the water that only had a small ripple in it...
almost like a mirror.
Well got a couple of e-mails to answer and then work on the boat is calling
to prep for what we may have. Hope that Earl get the message that he needs
to go North soon. Wishing him much Sharia Dust, cool water and more wind
Shear!
later
da Wayward Sailor
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- Scary pics of the Storms Approaching
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:30:36 EDT
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The map names completely cover up the Virgin Islands, but we're north
east of St Martin, about where "Juan" is shown.
Eerie Early could show up, or could bypass, but either way the seas are
bound to be rough. Remember the calm before the storm... if often gives folks a
false sense of security "it ain't coming here..."
Shop now before the common stuff like batteries and candles run out.
Get LOTS of candles. One candle for a house full of people does a lot for that
romantic atmosphere, but very little help when you go to the loo, um restroom
(that room with the toilet in it)
Invest 97L , a vigoruous tropical wave, is also on the way, so time to
sober up and lay in some rum stock. 
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- Too Early for Earl? the future Fiona?
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:10:43 EDT
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Weekend not looking too great. Mr Earl was determined to have its
center of circulation shifted much more to the South which now puts the Virgin
Islands within the Cone from Sunday until Tuesday. Present forecast is we
will have increasing winds from Sunday thru Tuesday with the peak on Tuesday...
after (we hope) the storm as passed us. Looks like we may see winds near
25 knots with seas and swells near 10 feet in the open areas and these seas,
will probably propagate into the inter areas, resulting in hazardous
conditions.
Problem is no source is updating warnings very quickly leaving a lot of
unanswered questions as to what is most probably going to occur and when.
With Earl still about 1400 miles to our East and heading almost due West, we
still may see minor changes that will have a Very Significant impact on
us. One of the problems in this area is we have few sources that provide
"heads up" information. Most of the locals I talk to have No Idea that
anything is out there or even that a possibility of a storm exist. Few
people make use of AM or FM radio and the governments have no effective way of
alerting people. It is not like most places in the US were you can get
bombarded with information 24/7 on what the local weather will be.
Most on line sources appear to be thinking/ hoping the storms will move
North before they hit the Virgin Islands. Some indications of the fronts
moving off the US coast and the hopefully increasing shear and maybe help from
dry air/ Sharia dust the storms including Earl will turn North suddenly.
It is obvious the 500 mile safety zone we for forecast a few days ago is now
gone and we are at least on the outer fringe of most of the cones of
probability.... and we still have Earl 1400 miles away with each change seeming
to bring him closer and closer... soon we may have to change our hopes from
mentally trying to push it North to attempting to mentally pushing it South and
under us... but unless it moves enough that could be worst than a direct
hit. Hard to know what to wish for except that the darn thing would just
go away! It is much more difficult to prepare if you don't know which way
the storm's winds and seas with effect you.
This AM it is again Hot with minimal to no wind and calm seas. Mostly
Sunny and we did have a pink sky to the East at Sunrise but we hope that is due
to increasing Sharia Dust and not the old sailors forecast of bad weather.
Time to keep as close watch on Earl and the one behind him as we possibly
can. Hopefully some of the official sources will jump in and provide
guidance... sooner the better!
later
da Wayward Sailor
A hurricane is a hurricane, doesn't matter which side hits you first,
it's baaaaaaaad. At least things have changed a tiny bit in the BVI. It
used to be a total media blackout, before, during and after the storm. Hence,
StormCarib.com was born to find out what was really happening.
Now the BVI actually has a disaster preparedness crew to alert the
public, at some point, of an impending storm.
If you're in the BVI, shop now for your hurricane supplies before
prices mysteriously change. With so many places utilizing computers, they just
push a few buttons and the price of goods suddenly went up. They always say it
was a coincidence, shipping went up or the cartons of stored canned goods
suddenly spiked in price. I always wondered how they could spike in price when
they've been sitting in the warehouse for months...
The charter boats usually don't wait for mother nature to make up her
mind, the typically fill up the hurricane holes pretty quick so they are well
protected and hopefully ready to bounce back in time for the winter season.
We have the triple whammy to watch out for. Rough seas from Danielle,
with a possible close visit from Earl and then this blob on his heals, the
future Fiona! YIKES!
Dear Miss Mermaid
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- Earl could be a problem for the Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:05:46 EDT
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Overnight TS Earl had a few changes and basically elongated where the Sats
can no longer be sure where its center is. While initially that may sound
like good news... it is not. Since the conditions for increased intensity
do exist this could be a first indication the storm will follow a much more
Western tack than now forecast. Here is the "official report"...
The center of Earl has been rather difficult to locate
this morning.
A 2315 UTC ascat overpass indicated an elongated center near
the
convection over the southern portion of the system...well to
the south
of the previous advisory position. However...a subsequent
AMSU-b
microwave pass at 2318 UTC and a recent 0430 UTC trmm image
suggested the
center is located to the northeast of the
aforementioned ascat pass...much
closer to the previous best track.
For this advisory...and based on these
data...continuity will be
maintained and the initial position is be near the
northern
cluster of deep convection and close to the trmm fix. If
the
circulation center does reform farther south...the forecast track
will
have to be adjusted south...or to the left of this
advisory
package.
Not liking at possible "Adjustment South" of present location as that make
its path more directly toward the Virgin Islands rather than passing well to our
East. How much of a difference this elongation makes will not be know for
probably 12 to 24 hours when a New Guess on path is issued for what would
probably be a Cat 2 Hurricane.
This AM I awoke to a dead calm. No wind and glass like seas in Fat
Hog Bay and seas under 2 feet in the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Did have a
short shower which caused a bit of a North alignment of boats in the Bay.
Presently we all lined up on a North East directions with winds under 5 Knots
and near flat seas. At least the sky was not Red!
Presently 84 degrees at 8:30 AM humidity is up to 74%... hope it gets much
lower and we get some Sierra Dust... a lot of it over the next couple of
days. Mostly sunny but a few small clouds are sources of small showers but
we are not getting the Thunder Storms in the official forecast and I don't see
that as probably this AM.
Keeping an eye out and topping up all the tanks. Hope I do not have
to lay out the storm anchors on deck... that is a lot of work in this heat but
something I may do by the weekend.
Well off to the great showers at Penn's Landing... just what I need after a
hot night in the cabin with hatches mostly closed. A nice cool fresh water
shower really recharges me.... the strong cup of coffee didn't hurt either....
well it does get me a bit warmer while I sip it on the deck watching the clouds
go by.
Later
da Wayward Sailor
Dear Miss Mermaid added a satellite picture of hurricane Danielle and Earl,
for you to ponder.
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- Early Earl and Hurricane Preparedness
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:37:18 EDT
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Available free throughout the Beautiful British Virgin
Islands
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Good Afternoon
Here I am sitting in the Midwest
thinking about my lovely paradise home in Tortola watching as Danielle and
Invest 96 that are looming out there off of Africa. One of the last
things that I was able to pick up at Drakes Traders was the Hurricane
Guide. This is the first time I've seen such a thing and having
talked with Dear Miss Mermaid she was overjoyed that the Disaster
Management folks have put together this handy and informative
booklet.
Inside the booklet there is handy information as to where
the shelters are and the location of them, a hurricane tracking chart,
preparedness tips for home owners, emergency communications, plus a list
of Marine Shelters that include the depth at entrance, depth at bay,
mooring type and vessels that will be accommodated. If you are on
island and can pick one of these booklets they are quite handy. I
picked up 3, one for my house, one for a friend and then one that I
brought back with me.
In the case of home owners, we watch the
weather and determine when we are wanting to shutter up our homes.
That includes, putting away any furniture that is out at the pool, any
thing that could go flying in the air and become a torpedo. The goal
is to move anything and everything that is susceptible to the wind.
That includes plants, BBQ's, and just about anything. So just like
on a boat you batten down the hatches and take off the sails and put
anything that could damage your boat down in the cabin, you do the same
for your home.
Along with all your survival food, water,
make sure you fill up your car with gas, and get cash!!!! Lastly
have Rum on hand just for medicinal purposes. LOL!!!!!!
Let's hope
this mess gives the BVI a wide berth.
Watching while holding
my breath...
The Mermaid Gardener
Dear Miss Mermaid thanks you and all those that worked to
put this guide together!
Eerie Earl has now been designated a Tropical Storm, he
appears to be chasing Dandy Danielle. Bermuda might get the brunt of
both these brutes, but we hope not.
Looks like the Virgin Islands MIGHT be safe... for now.
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- Hurricane Danielle and early Earl
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:28:34 EDT
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Warm day ahead. Already 87 at 8AM with a bright sun and a few
clouds. Haze is not as deep as it was all of yesterday but the dust is
what we are told is keeping the area "protected" from big storms. Mz D is
a bit North of us already and well East. The Future Mr E seems to be
chasing after her but slipping a bit more West which is not a good thing,
however forecast indicate Mr E should still miss us by about 500 miles......
that is not much when talking about several days out in a forecast... ask the
people in Bermuda.
Only a few mist last night, all short and no need to even close the
hatches. I made a trip on deck to try to cool off in the mist and it was
gone about the time I found a nice place to stand and was dry by the time I got
back to the cockpit. Most forecast give us a Clear day on Friday with no
rain and the highest chance of rain are today and the Weekend at 30%. If
Mr E gets as close as a some of the long term graphical models show, I think we
will probably get more wind, seas and rain than presently forecast.
Not much going on these days. Few boats out sailing and today would
be a good day for sailing with winds between 12 and 16 knots with the seas in
the Sir Francis Drake Channel running about 3 to 5 but we may see some Northern
East Swells pushed in by Mz D passing to our North East for a day or two.
Wonder if any Surfing will be had? Probably few surfers down here at this
time of the season and the local ones may be on Holiday as many of the
businesses have closed for the season already and others will over the next
couple of months. This is the time most businesses do maintenance and any
repairs or upgrades they have planned and when they give the staff time off for
their holidays.
Well off for a cool shower and then find some shade to kick back and read a
book!
later
da Wayward Sailor
Earl could be named as early as late today. Hurricane Danielle is 900
miles east of the British Virgin Islands, but she is pretty big.
Dear Miss Mermaid
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- Danielle losing steam
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:52:18 EDT
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Very hazy this AM, Can just see the outlines of the islands across
the Sir Francis Drake Channel. At 10AM temps are 90 and going
up. Humidity is only about 70% but feels about 90. Winds did
increase over the night and seas are becoming a bit rocky but still the seas are
about 3 to 5 in the Channel but higher offshore. Winds are about 12 knots
and from the East North East. Partly Cloudy with only a 20 to 30%
chance of rain according to forecasters but I think we should get a few later in
the day by the looks of the building clouds. Did see some thunder storm
activity off to our West.... probably around St. Thomas last night but only a
couple of drops, more of a mist lasting only a very short time... not enough to
close the hatches.
Both Danniele and Invest 96 seem to be holding to the forecast and should
clear us well to the East. Still keeping an eye on them in case they
decide they want to visit the warm waters of the Carib.
Looks like Wednesday will be our day for any wind coming from Danniele but
forecast are not showing much other than an increased rain chance. Will
let you know what happens!
My computer batteries some how died and I can now only work when plugged
into the converter to the house batteries or when I have the gen set on. I
have a spare battery aboard. I keep it in a safe / secure place.
Like many things I put in these Safe and Secure places.... I can never seem to
find them when I need them. But they will generally turn up when I not
looking for them in a day or so. Maybe I should not place them in such
safe and secure places.
later
da Wayward Sailor
From Dear Miss Mermaid
When I lived aboard my sailboat, in the back of my log book, I
dedicated several pages to inventoried items for the "hard to reach"
storage areas. Before that, I had discovered that tearing apart my V-Berth to
hang upside down, and see if I really hid the oil filters in there or not, was
getting old. Especially if the wanted item wasn't in there. Once I
began listing stuff in the log book, life became so much simpler.
Basically, I figured out all the stuff I didn't need on a daily or weekly
basis. All those items went into the lockers that are hardest to reach. As
things were stored in those weird places, I added them to the list, as I
retrieved or used them up, I scratched them off the list with a straight line
through the listing. It saved me loads of time trying to find those nifty items.
It takes time to set it up initially, but afterwards, the rewards are saved
time and a helluva lot less frustration. The easy to reach places, I
didn't inventory, but I did have a semi-sorting system, so I had a clue where to
find things. I was nicknamed the Ziploc Queen, because of my penchant for
storing items in the clear baggies.
Hurricane Danielle was downgraded back to a category one hurricane
with only 80mph winds at 11am.
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- Hurricane Danielle reaches category Two
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 06:45:09 EDT
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Hurricane Danielle has winds of 100 miles per hour. She is forecast
to stay out at sea and she is moving at a fast clip of 20mph. Right behind
her is another area of disturbed weather, that could very well be another
hurricane in the making.
Frank is a Pacific storm and we hope he sticks to his side of the
planet.
Another tropical wave is headed for the British Virgin Islands.
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- Danielle is a Category One Hurricane!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:23:18 EDT
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Yikes, Hurricane Danielle is pushing winds of 75 mph, but the good news is
he is moving fast too, at a good clip of 17mph. The center of Hurricane
(Himmacane?) Danielle is about 1300 miles (2100KM) from the Lesser Antilles.
I guess with a name like Danielle, he could be a she or a he. Hmm...
There are no watches or warnings. Typically in the past, the BVI is slow to
put out any watches or warnings, until it is pretty close.
Shop now, before the grocery prices mysteriously creep up high.
(Funny how that sometimes happens when the hurricane gets too
close.)
The Gorgeous BVI
Sailboat in the clouds?
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- Monday in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:04:07 EDT
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Had a few very short showers last
night then the winds almost died out. Just now getting a reasonable breeze
from the East North East at about 8 knots but the services indicate we may see
17 knot winds later in the day. Partly cloudy with low clouds passing fast
but still lots of sun around. At 8:30 we are at 86 with 73% RH and light
winds with seas between 3 to 5 feet. We should see more showers today and
increasing until at least mid week.
By mid week Tropical Cyclone
Danielle should be passing well to the East, but it still needs to be
watched. Historically the NOAA records show that most August storms pass
to our East but at least a couple have run right over us and a few to our
West. The team of potential storms behind Danielle really need close
attention.
Going into Road Town today for what is becoming my
weekly Coffee Shop Bakery trip. I love one shop on Main Street, next to
the Sunny Carib Spice Shop. Best sweet rolls and cookies I have found
including a Smores Cookie that is a great snack.... would you believe on the
beach with a nice cold white wine? Well it may be the company to but the
cookie and wine and company, not even to mention the wonderful view at a place
like Smugglers Cove,,,,, MMmmmm wish I were going there today! But a
bit too far to hike and I have no car and a taxi on the West End would cost an
arm and leg. Love my East End $3 dollar bus and taxi
rides!
Well time to run the dink into Penn's Landing for a nice
cool shower and shave and then head into town to spend money I don't have....
well I'll do the coffer and roll but then just window shop... could always use a
window... or not.
later
da Wayward Sailor
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- Topircal Storm Danielle with 60mph winds
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:18:27 EDT
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Danielle is huffing and puffing with 60mph winds.
Results for Tortola (18.45N, 64.53W):
The
approximate Closest Point of Approach (CPA) is located near 27.0N, 55.0W or
about 845.6 miles (1360.8 km) from your location. The estimated time of when the
center of the storm will be at that location is in about 100.4 hours (Friday,
August 27 at 9:24AM AST).
This is assuming the forecasts are correct. This is only Monday,
anything can happen between now and Friday...
You should be running around stashing hurricane supplies, just
in case. Don't forget your beloved pets, stock up on their food, check
their ID tags and plan to move them indoors should the hurricane come near you.
The hurricane supplies you buy now, can be used after hurricane
season, so it's not a waste of money. Besides the BVI has so many power outages
during good weather, that all those batteries and candles come in really handy
anyhow.
If you are accustomed to an electric can opener, pull out your
antique manual can opener and make sure it really works and isn't all grody.
There is nothing worse than having a pile of canned or tinned food, and no
way to open them.
Of course pet foods often come with their own peel and pop top
lids, but I was never successful in teaching my cats to open them.
Danielle will probably become an official hurricane rather soon.
For
latest satellite imagery, check here.
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- Tropical Storm Danielle could be headed your way in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:11:17 EDT
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It's official, Tropical Storm Danielle is the 4th tropical storm of the
season.
Pay attention in the British Virgin Islands and get ready for the big
blow.
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- Sundaze in the Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:20:03 EDT
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Guess it was the new BVI Governors Motorcade I saw going from the
Airport toward Road Town. Had a couple of officers on motor cycles and a
police car followed by a nice gray Rolles Royce and another police car.
The lead motorcycles had lights and sirens blaring and is what got my
attention from the boat. Understand this was the very first time the new
Governor has ever been on the island.
Today it is again Hot, about 86 but we do have increasing winds which are
now about 12 to 14 knots and from East and will probably turn more North East as
the day goes on. Less haze than a few days ago and partly cloudy
sky. By the afternoon or into the night we will probably get a few showers
as we did last night. These were very short and not much to them except I
had to get up and close then open the hatches each time they passed. Was
very warm and winds were more North blowing a few East End mosquitoes my way and
I went under the netting for a better/ safer sleep.
Invest 95 is now TD 6 and could become a Tropical Storm by this afternoon
and is now located well South East of us and going West North West.
Present forecast still say it is "expected" to pass us to the East by Thursday
AM and we should get some increased thunder storm activity with rain and
increased seas and rain. Looks like something we still need to keep an eye
on for at least the next 5 days until it is hopefully well past us to the North
East. While I'm watching TD6, the blobs behind it are more of a worry to
me. This TD6 may be like a linebacker clearing the way for the runner with
the ball. Next few weeks could be uncomfortable with the increased
activity as we head into the peak of the storm season. Is it November
yet!
later
da Wayward Sailor
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- Hot Weekend in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 10:05:25 EDT
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From Wayward Sailor:
91 with minimal winds.... about 5 knots at best.
Mostly sunny sky with only a few thin clouds but may get some rain by late
afternoon. Invest 95 has our attention but most feel it will keep to its
probable course and stay well East of us but the forecasts do indicate increased
winds and a minor build up of seas over the next 5 days.
Not a lot going on in da islands. Few boats out
sailing or motoring. Many of the cruising hot spots are closed for the
season and some will not open until late October. Cooper Island Resort,
and Marina Cay have closed as did da Loose Mongoose in Trellis Bay and this past
weekend The Last Resort in the Bay at Trellis closed for the season. The
Beach Bar at da Loose Mongoose is opening about 3 or 4 until when ever so those
that live aboard in the bay or near by have a place to stop off. A couple
of other sites at Trellis including the newer Da Best Cup appear to be open as
normal.
After I get a few things completed and this most recent
potential storm #95 passes, I'll probably take a short sail, maybe a week,
hanging around Virgin Gorda and the North Sound area as I've been too busy to
hit them this year and that is a long time!
For some unknown reason my computer though still slow
is at least functioning again. I'll work on that slow part soon. I
personally do not want to be with out the computer and internet anytime but
specifically during storm season! People in the US and other countries
where you have local weather forecast by several local organizations often find
it hard to believe how difficult it is to get information quickly here in da
islands without the internet. Problem is when a storm hits or just bad
weather as we had last week and one phone company was out of service for hours
due to one of its main towers being struck by lightning.
Staying out of the sun as much as possible and drinking
lots of fluids.... No not Rum.... but maybe a beer or 2 but mostly water and
tea. da Rum is for after 5!..... but it is always after 5 some
place.
maybe some photos soon! Think I've figured out
how to down load from my new phone.
From Dear Miss Mermaid:
Dat Coconut telegraph is pretty fast sometimes. I
heard somebody (not mentioning names) recently got a new cell phone
because (no name mentioned) ran their gifted phone through the clothes washer
and the clothes dryer. Apparently, the cell phone didn't appreciate the thorough
cleaning and promptly went into cardiac arrest.
So rumor has it that somebody (anonymous sort) now
has a new cell phone that takes pictures too.
I wonder who that could be? I'll give you a hint,
it's not Dear Miss Mermaid...
Seriously, tropical depression six bears
watching with a close eye.
OK, now you've watched it... 
Well, stay tuned and start seriously inventorying your hurricane
supplies. While having nifty stuff during a hurricane while you endure it's
wrath without electricity and often without communication, it's the aftermath
when all those supplies may come in so handy.
Electricity could be out for hours or for weeks. Roads may be
seriously blocked, grocery stores may find it impossible to open or restock for
a few days or a few weeks. Ditto for fuel stations.
Take it from one who has been there, done that and got the
stories to tell...
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- Ut oh! better watch this disturbed weather
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 11:03:37 EDT
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Watch out for the blob headed towards the islands! This could be the
big one. Time to
stock up on hurricane supplies, just in case. No use waiting until the last
minute, and finding out the stores are out of everything you need. And don't forget the
rum!
Watch out, we got some serious HOT AIR in the BVI.
Just read this article, WOW!
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- Friday not the 13th in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:23:42 EDT
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Thursday was a less hazy day than the past few days and a couple of rain
showers, or were they tears. seem to deposit a lot of red powder on the decks...
yep Saharah Dust.
This AM it is less hazy but a warm 86 degrees with winds from North
Northeast at under 7 knots and often almost none at all. Those light winds
should abate by the weekend with forecast winds of 12 to 17 knots with chances
of rain and thunder storms. It is going to be another HOT day.
Off near the African coast that we will need to watch over the next 7
days. It is now thought to have a good chance of moving more North and
pass us well to the North East.... but as the forecaster said, Forecasting a
storm that has not yet formed is really not much to base much on.
Been having a problem with a Virus on the computer that wants to delete
what ever I click on and am running a program to find and clean it but it has
been running for more than a week and only found a few tracking cookies but is
now doing a deep scan of all files and programs... even fonts and
photos....never have seen a program go that deep but hope it works!
This does cause me not to be able to do much with Photos for a few more
days.
Got a few boat projects to work on... been distracted as of late and having
far too much fun doing other things........
Later
da Wayward Sailor
From Dear Miss Mermaid:
This mess is well worth keeping a close eye on. It's so big, and the
islands so tiny! Showers and thunderstorm activity is becoming better
organized, not a good sign. A tropical depression could form in the next
few days.
So far we've been lucky to make it to mid August with a relatively
quiet hurricane season.
Dear Miss Mermaid found
this picture of Tortola, BVI on the north shore, in her archives.
It's so gorgeous, it's well worth sharing.
Dear Miss Mermaid is returning to the BVI soon! In the interim she
writes at her other blog.
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- Rut Roh...
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:04:06 EDT
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This is why I keep coming back, the BVI is so stunning!
Sad to say I've taken to leaving on a jet plane back to the Midwest.
Some may speculate that the northern gal couldn't take the heat but in reality
my golden retriever told me it's time to come home. I also have the state
fair to look forward to...I've submitted several canned goodies in the jams and
jelly category. Wish me luck. I can report this
morning upon leaving Beef Island it was hazy and hot in Totola. Not much
breeze and will assume that it will be another hot day in the BVI.
Farewell for awhile...the Mermaid Gardener
Another mess rolling off Africa, for us to watch closely. I don't
like the looks of this one either.
Dear Missed Mermaid
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- Wednesday
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:46:15 EDT
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Haze haze and more haze!
Woke this morning to haze and somewhere out
there was the sun rising. Temperature at 10am is 90degrees. We are
expecting 91 with a heat index of 102! Winds 14 mph with a slight chance
of rain.
My day will be filled this odds and ends around the house plus pool time.
Too hot and I'm sweating every time I start a project. Oh well those
projects can wait for another day.
Trying to stay cool your Mermaid Gardener
That is thick haze!
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- A mini Hurricane in the BVI?
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:50:33 EDT
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Yesterday late afternoon we had a mini wave go through. The sky
started to darken just like night, within a short time the lovely afternoon
ended up howling and whipping us with rain. The sea churned up and was
quite scary looking. My dear friends and I had to gather our things up and
move inside of the Cybercafe for a short time it had whipped up so much.
As soon as it came it left us.
Throughout the night and this morning we have gusty winds. Knots
13 to 18. Winds out of the East. Seas are 4-6 feet.
What a difference a weather wave can make in one day.
Your Mermaid Gardener
That guy on the right looks so scared, all his clothes have blown
away!
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- No Bad Weather in the Virgin Islands, so far
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:47:10 EDT
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Had a good morning in Road
Town!
Enjoying lunch with my friend having honey stung chicken! Village
Cay is quite empty on all it's docks. Everyone has either went north or
their boat is up on the hard.
Your Mermaid
Gardener
From Dear Miss Mermaid (alive and kicking)
Well, not all boats go north, some go south where hurricanes are less
likely, though Ivan wrecked devastation across Grenada in 2004, destroying and
severely damaging thousands of boats that had taken refuge there for the
hurricane season. The island of Grenada didn't fair well either, with wide
devastation, even though Ivan was classified as a category 3 at the time, but he
quickly became a category 5.
FROM 2004, a bit of history:
On September 5th, 2004 Ivan had become a hurricane about 1150 miles
east of the southern Windward Islands. Eighteen hours later Ivan became the
southernmost storm to reach major hurricane status, at 10.2EN.
Ivan was a category 3 hurricane when the center passed about 7 miles
south of Grenada, a path that took the northern eyewall of Ivan directly over
the island. In the Caribbean, Ivan became a category 5 hurricane, with winds
of 160 m.p.h., on the 9th when it was south of the Dominican Republic, and on
two occasions the minimum pressure fell to 910 mb.
The center of Ivan passed within about 20 miles of Jamaica on the
11th and a similar distance from Grand Cayman on the 12th , with Grand Cayman
likely experiencing sustained winds of category 4 strength. Ivan then turned
to the northwest and passed through the Yucatan channel on the 14th , bringing
hurricane conditions to extreme western Cuba.
Ivan moved across the east-central Gulf of Mexico, making landfall as
a major hurricane with sustained winds of near 120 m.p.h. on the 16th just
west of Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Ivan weakened as it moved inland, producing over 100 tornadoes and
heavy rains across much of the southeastern United States, before merging with
a frontal system over the Delmarva Peninsula on the 18th.
While this would normally be the end of the story, the extratropical
remnant low of Ivan split off from the frontal system and drifted southward in
the western Atlantic for several days, crossed southern Florida, and
re-entered the Gulf of Mexico on the 21st.
The low re-acquired tropical characteristics, becoming a
tropical storm for the second time on the 22nd in the central Gulf.
Ivan weakened before it made its final landfall in southwestern Louisiana as a
tropical depression on the 24th.
Those that went through Ivan often referred to it an
being "Ivandalized" due to the devastation.
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- Weather is here, wish you were too
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:37:07 EDT
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Dinner on the veranda last night was lovely, had a guest over and chatted
while dining on the deck as the sunset.
Had Mussels & Shrimp in a
leek, lime, and wine sauce.
Have perfected my basic recipe and even
though it's slightly different depending upon what yummy things I have in my
frig the basic recipe is consistently the same.
Bon appetite from your Mermaid Gardener
YUMMY!
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- 1,000 Words, Beautiful Pics of the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:43:26 EDT
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Hum another windless day, maybe 5 knots, seas flat,... perspiration
100%.
Have another windless day that even reading a book makes you
perspire. Have a light bulb out at my main gate but it's too hot to even
make the effort to walk down and change it. Got feeling that it's going to be
another pool, lay in the shade, nap kind of day. We did have quite a large
thunderstorm go over us before day break so at 6:00am this morning it was cool
any pleasant but now it's blistering hot. I feel a wee bit of a breeze
coming from the east let's hope that it will be enough to cool me off while in
the shade.
On these hot days I try my hardest to have a cold beverage
nearby, a tall glass of sparkling water with lime. He he!!
Enjoy the dog days of summer where ever you may be, I'll do the same
here in the BVI.
From hot tropical paradise,
your Mermaid Gardener 
Now if this picture doesn't make you want
to dash right down to the Caribbean in a heartbeat, then call 911,
cause you must be dead...
The tropics are rather quiet for this time
of year, no hurricanes or storms on the horizon.
Your crazy
nomad,
Dear Miss
Mermaid
WASHED UP ON SHORE IN A
BOTTLE:
Dear Miss Mermaid,
By the Way, you
say you used to sail naked? Well,I knew a gal that used to cut her yard
naked. LOL Hey,to each their own. Whatever floats your boat is ok in my book.
Mikey
Dear Mikey,
Of course I used to sail naked! It saved on laundry, it saved wear and
tear on my clothes and it eliminated tan lines.
Dear Miss Mermaid
P.S.
Yes, it's OK if you forward this to all your
friends.
Dear Miss Mermaid has nothing to hide...
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- Lake Caribbean in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:20:40 EDT
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Good Morning
Wonderful sunrise again! There is not a breath of air
out on the channel. Winds are suppose to be 5 knots seas 2 feet.
Every where you look over the channel it is flat. It will be another hot
breathless day!
Good day to hang out at the pool and read a good
book.
The Mermaid Gardener
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- Need A Trip to the Beach
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:30:54 EDT
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Having a great bfast at Nanny Cay!
Winds are way down so temperature is
and sweating is a normal occurrence even while just eating breakfast! No
storms a few clouds but nothing that would give us an all day washout.
Hitting the beach this afternoon going to just chill out in the
shade.
The Mermaid Gardener
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- Thursday in the Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:19:48 EDT
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A tropical wave approaching the Lesser
Antilles is still disorganized. (Hallelujah!)  However, it is rather
large and moving at 15mph. 
The West
Indies are composed of the islands of the Caribbean Sea and can be divided
into the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles.
The Greater Antilles are
the four largest islands in the northwestern portion of the Caribbean Sea and
include Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Jamaica, and
Puerto Rico.
Poking fun...
The New Governor is on his way to the BVI. I was reading an
online article at the BVI Beacon, and noticed they didn't even capitalize
the word "Guv" in the article's title. That struck me as funny.
QUOTE: "When his flight lands Aug. 20 and he exits the plane, it will be
the first time the future governor will have ever set foot on VI
soil."
Gosh, I hope Labour Department has his work permit ready on time!
"QUOTE: "The governor designate said he’s also had formal training over
the past four months, including classes at Bournemouth University designed to
train foreign officials on disaster management. "
It sort of sounds like coming to the BVI, is a disaster... I'm sure they didn't
mean it to sound that way, but... I think new corporate speak now refers to
an accident or disaster as an "unplanned critical event" or a "safety critical
event."
Anyhow, a big welcome to the new "guv". He arrives right in the heat of
the year and right in the height of hurricane season. I hope all goes smoothly.
(And that he doesn't melt from the humidity or the pressure.)
I love the Virgin Islands, but I must admit, after spending 21 of 22 years in
the heat and humidity of August, I am relieved to be skipping August
there this year. Though, August can be a super fun time in the islands.
Those who aren't lucky enough to run off on month long vacations, that are still
in the BVI tend to move at a much slower pace (the heat) and be more
friendlier. I seemed to make new local friends each year around August,
because it seemed most of my friends had homes or relatives elsewhere and
were gone, so I made new friends.
Also, it was a busy month when I ran my Private Chef Service, because with so
many restaurants closed for the month, I was often booked solid during August,
catering day and night in vacation villas.
I suspect we haven't heard from Wayward Sailor lately because he uses the CCT
internet card and according to Mermaid Gardener, their tower was knocked out
with lightning recently. With so many folks gone on vacation in the islands, it
might make for a slow repair.
The day carnival opens in the BVI, is also the busiest day of the year at
both the BVI and the USVI airports, because so many islanders begin their
vacation that day.
I found this out the hard way, but a travel agent patiently explained it to
me. A few years back, my father died suddenly, the day before Carnival opened. I
was in tears, on the phone, trying to get a flight out and could find nothing. I
had to wait another day and go standby, which wasn't a good thing either, as I
was like a bowl of Jello.
As I look back, this tale seems funny, but at the time I was grief-stricken
and not thinking clearly. But I ended up in the St Thomas airport. I was
drinking a bottle of water, and digging around my purse for some pills I needed
to take.
Suddenly an abrupt man with one of those dreaded Homeland Security tags on,
rudely grabbed the water out of my hand, before I could take my pills.
He tossed the water in a pile of garbage, behind ropes,
that was triple the size of the overflowing can. He barked at me something
about water bottles not being allowed. I explained I needed to take my pills and
he roared I should take them without water.
As I approached the X-ray machine, he howled "Give me your shoes!"
I did so and he tossed them somewhere, I didn't see. I went through the security
nightmare, collected my little carryon bag, then wandered around the airport,
barefoot, looking for a seat. There were none available, as flights were backed
up. I went in the souvenir shop, looking to buy a pair of shoes or
flip-flops or anything to wear. I had no spare shoes with me and no checked
luggage, just this little carryon with two black dresses packed in it. It's a
good thing I had packed two black dresses, as when they searched my carryon bag,
the attendant pulled one of my dresses out with such rapid force, it
snagged on the zipper and the side seam ripped open about 12 inches.
As I wandered around the souvenir shop, realizing they didn't sell any shoes
at all, I felt really brutalized. In St Thomas you have to cross the hot tarmac
to get up the stairs to the airplane. I know I looked awful, my face was swollen
from the crying associated with grief. Behind me I heard the same man who had
been so rude to me, yelling "Miss! Miss! Miss!" and it never
occurred to me he was talking to me. But he finally darted in front of me and
was dangling my sandals at the end of his gloved finger "You forgot your
shoes!"
I was so grateful to have them back. Everyone in the store, turned to stare
at me, as I donned my flippers, um slippers. It had been so long since I had
flown, that I didn't realize, taking your shoes off for inspection was part of
the deal. I just thought he threw them out with the garbage, like my water
bottle.
It seems so funny now, wandering around the airport barefoot! I bet it
gave the security guards something to laugh about at break time.
It almost rivals the time I had to wear a beautiful evening gown to an
elegant event, with only cheap flimsy flip-flops on my feet, (another
flying event) but that's a whole 'nother story...
Mermaids just aren't meant to fly...
Warm and Sunny Regards,
DearMissMermaid.Com
Read her OTHER BLOG
Author
of
Hurricanes and Hangovers (And Other
Tall Tales and Loose Lies From The Coconut Telegraph)
Available in the USA, UK, France, Germany, India, PR and
the BVI
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- Many Cell Phones Out in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:20:40 EDT
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You have to love Tortola, last night and again this morning we lightening
and heavy rain storms. One of the bolts of lightening ended up striking a
boat phone antenna. So that current done mash up!! No cell phones are
working unless you have digicel or lime. Many of my friends are like ducks
without water, even I'm stuck not being able to reach my friends. Actually
had to drive over to 2 of my friends homes, in order to reach them. Crazy
just like going back to the time before telephones, the coconut telegraph isn't
working very well either these days! Ah life in the BVI.
You have to
love it!!!!
The Mermaid Gardener
From Dear Miss Mermaid:
Amazing, I'm lost in Ohio, going through torrential storms, thunder and
lightning. There was a pause in the storm, so puppy dog and I went
walking. Well guess what, we got caught in the rain. Amazingly, puppy dog likes
walking in the rain. Guess he's not such a wimp after all. The
lightning scares me, but I'll get over it. Just as soon as my hair
floats back down to my head...
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- Sponges, Storms, Hot Air...
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:51:53 EDT
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Tropical depression five is tacking across the Gulf of Mexico and not a
threat to the Virgin Islands. Phew!
There is another low pressure over the Atlantic, about 750 miles
northeast of the northern Leeward
Islands, that looks like it could form into something dreadful. Again,
not a threat to the Virgin Islands.
Another tropical wave is about 500 miles east of the southern Windward
islands and while not a current threat, it should be watched with a careful
eye.
However, I'm wandering around North America, often lost, (I really
needs a compass!) so I need to pay attention because I really don't want to go
through anymore Hurricanes, where ever I end up.
If you're planning on vacationing in the Virgin Islands soon, you can
always buy trip
insurance ahead of time. That way you're protected financially, in case your
dream vacation is interrupted.
Hurricanes are the formidable, violent storms. They
form near the equator over warm ocean waters. Actually, the term hurricane is
used only for the large storms that form over the Atlantic Ocean or eastern
Pacific Ocean.
The generic, scientific term for these storms, wherever they occur, is
tropical cyclone. Other names they are given, depending on where in the world
they are born, are typhoons, cyclones, severe tropical cyclones, or severe
cyclonic storms. Whatever they are called, the same forces and conditions are at
work in forming these giant storms, which all can cause damage or devastation in
their path.
Tropical cyclones are like engines that use warm, moist air as fuel.
The first ingredient needed for a tropical cyclone is warm ocean water. Tropical
cyclones form only in tropical regions where the ocean is at least 80 F for at
least the top 50 meters (about 165 feet) below sea level.
The second ingredient is wind. In the case of hurricanes that form in
the Atlantic Ocean, the tradewinds blowing westward across the Atlantic from
Africa provides the necessary ingredient. As the wind passes over the oceans
surface, water evaporates (turns into water vapor) and rises. As it rises, the
water vapor cools, and condenses back into large water droplets, forming huge
cumulonimbus clouds. These clouds are just the beginning.
Meteorologists have divided the development of a tropical cyclone into
four stages: Tropical disturbance, tropical depression, tropical storm, and
full-fledged tropical cyclone.
Tropical cyclones usually weaken when they hit land, because they are
no longer being fed by the energy from the warm ocean waters. However, they can
move far inland, dumping many inches of rain and causing lots of wind damage
before they die out completely.
Hurricanes and Hangovers is a funny book by Dear Miss
Mermaid.
Your goofy correspondent:
Dear Miss Mermaid
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good afternoon,
Had a long day over at one on the gov't offices only to
have to leave to get more paperwork. Had brought a good book with me and
read it for several hours....glad it was a good book! Decided to treat
myself to lunch and then drove home to finish up a couple of projects. One being
cleaning some sponges that I found over the weekend on the beach. They
probably had been laying on the beach for quite some time but still want to
sterilize them before using them....have them soaking in water with bleach, then
tomorrow I'll rinse them out and let the sun bake them. Bleach works
wonders down here for killing unwanted critters or terrible stains on your
kitchen chopping boards. I'm hoping that these few sponges will be fresh
to use in the shower in just a couple of days.
From your crafty Mermaid
Gardener
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- All is Clear...for now...in the Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:29:42 EDT
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No hurricanes on the horizon, yet...
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- Another great day in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 15:47:59 EDT
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Good Morning from the Indians Great morning winds are up A bit seas
are 3-5feet. Winds 14-15. 
Note: The Indians are the rocks between Norman Island, St John and
Tortola. Excellent diving and snorkeling there!
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- Treasure Island BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 08:21:56 EDT
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Good evening from Norman at the Bight! Lovely day hiking, eating at a
remote beach, and swimming. A few passing showers but no rainouts.
The
Mermaid Gardener
What? No wild tales from the Willy T?
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- Colin nearing Bermuda
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 14:37:25 EDT
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Colin moving near Bermuda, weakens to a tropical depression. Phew!
Maximum sustained winds are only 35 mph, pretty close to our BVI Christmas Winds
sometimes! Still I hope everyone in Bermuda does well.
The BVI correspondents are on walkabout at the Carrot Bay Festival!
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- Donkey Races, Carrot Bay, Tortola, BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 09:20:57 EDT
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An old timer carries his hard hat for safety...
HOW much Rum did he have before he asked to ride the donkey??? (Does
he know there is a RACE about to start?)
No shoes, no saddle, no hard hat, only swim trunks and a clashing
shirt! You gotta love it!
Foxy's Profile
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- Donkey Races are WILD!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 01:09:34 EDT
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Good Afternoon,
Had a GREAT afternoon over at Carrot
Bay! Dear Miss Mermaid advised me of a good time to head over to
Carrot Bay to find a place to park the car as well as finding a great
place to hangout waiting for the donkey races. Drove over the
mountain past Sebastian's parked in
Carrot Bay and was at Cruzin's
Bar/Restaurant at 2pm. Walked up and down the coastal road and
checked out the local vendors. Was hoping to pick up some leather
sandals that Dear Miss Mermaid recommended but the vendor was not there.
We decided that Cruzin's was the place to be and planted ourselves in the
swinging hammock. Had lunch there, Lena the owner was overseeing to
everyone's needs. Had the BBQ ribs that were really great and
spicy. My lips were tingling!! Around 4pm the first two
donkeys made their way down the main drag. And all of a sudden they
where off, no green flag, no gun shot, no running rabbit, just off they
went. The first guy down the road appeared to be a tourist and the
look of fright was written all over his face. The next gentleman a
West Indian really knew what he was doing and he galloped, sort of, right
along. I laughed so hard watching these donkeys running like
heck.
There was one celebrity that was in the crowd.....Foxy was
there!! I'm sure in the crowd there were other famous people and
maybe that Wayward sailor found time to come a shore and check out the
donkey races. If you are ever here for Festival you must see the
donkey races, they are so funny to watch and everyone is having such a
great time.
From your roving Mermaid Gardener!! Have a great
weekend!!
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- Donkey Daze in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 11:19:30 EDT
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COLIN is alive and well, again. He regenerated to a tropical storm, not a
threat to the Virgin Islands, but Bermuda better watch out!
11am information:
LOCATION...27.1N 66.9W
ABOUT 380 MI...615 KM SSW OF
BERMUDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH...75 KM/HR
PRESENT
MOVEMENT...ENE OR 65 DEGREES AT 7 MPH...11 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL
PRESSURE...1007 MB...29.74 INCHES
Dear Miss Mermaid is JELOUS! The Mermaid
Gardener called her last night, to rub it in that she is going to the Donkey
Races in Carrot Bay today. I went nearly every year that I was anywhere near or
on Tortola. The Carrot Bay festival is my favorite.
It's actually the original Carnival. Carrot Bay is much older than
Road Town. They started the Carnival back in the 40's or 50's.
One year, a confused donkey started off the race, but took a turn
into the pool hall. Suddenly several pool players, came rushing out of the bar,
cluthcing their pool sticks and looking frightened, but laughing at the comedy
of it all.
A few seconds later, after loud noises from inside the bar, the donkey with
his rider emerged from the bar and re-entered the race.
Another year, at the finish line, one donkey refused to stop and took his
rider on down the road a ways.
The last donkey race I was at, had a bit of road rage. You see the police
show up and close off the road at both ends, so the donkeys can race. Naturally,
spectators of all ages, line the roads, as close as possible to get a good look
at the race. Well, this irate driver, pulled right around the road block,
while the police person was busy flirting with someone, and attempted to drive
right through the races. The donkey race had to be interrupted, and the car
allowed to pass, but that driver endured some unprintable comments as he made
his way through the street, plus both the police had a stern talking to
him. He appeared to be someone new to the island, and had no idea that it's not
cool to have rage road (road rage) in the islands. I bet he probably moved
off island in less than a year. If he can't take time to stop and enjoy the
donkey races, which are held only once a year, I doubt he could relish island
life at all. Once he was gone, the donkey race was restarted again.
That phone call last night, made me sooooooo homesick for the islands.
Dear Miss Mermaid
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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The haze has really rolled in over night, you
can barely see Cooper and Virgin Gorda has just about disappeared.
It's 90 degrees with scattered clouds and hazy conditions. Winds are
up from our dead calm of yesterday,14mph out of the southeast.
Heading over to Carrot Bay this afternoon with a friend of mine to
see the donkey races. I've been told that it could be quite the fun
site or that it could fizzle out if the donkeys are not in the mood or
understand the racing rules. Dear Miss Mermaid has told me that they
can be quite hilarious to see. Even if the race is a dud I'll be
enjoying the good food that awaits us at the fair grounds.
the
Mermaid Gardener
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- Thursday Afternoon Picture in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 14:46:19 EDT
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- Double Parked in a Single Town
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 14:22:30 EDT
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Good afternoon
Had a busy morning in Roadtown (Tortola, BVI). Had several business errands
to run and was able to complete them without much of a hitch, however, I had
parked outside of immigration and after getting my business completed I was
blocked in. So what do you do but wait for the person to finally come out
and move their car. Roadtown is a busy place and there are so few parking
places. A lot more cars are on the island these days and parking Monday
through Friday in Roadtown is defiantly a challenge. I thought since it
was still technically Festival that things would be quiet.....nope busy
busy.
The weather here is hot right around 90 degrees with humidity around
70%. Decided that this afternoon is was going to be a quiet afternoon for
me, maybe a bit of a pool day. Winds are light so I'm not loosing much
pool water to wind but the heat is just another thing that takes out the
water. Having a pool here is great but you have to allow enough water to
maintain that pool. In the past I've even had to have water delivered to
fill my cisterns up when we have had a dry season. No fun. If you
know Tortola you know that the hills can be killers, and I do live on a hill
that's rather steep but has a fabulous turn around. Not too many places
here on the island have large turnarounds. I feel very fortunate to have
that space so that I don't have to back down my driveway to get onto the
road.
We have had very little rain since my return here and things are still
green but the land does look a bit parched. My zinnia's near my entryway
were looking rather droopy and needed watering. There are still Flamboyant
trees in bloom as well and Oleander, and other flowering types of scrubs.
Well off to hit the pool then think about lunch and more pool time.
Signing off....... your Mermaid pool limin Gardener
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- Colin still misbehaving near the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 10:39:50 EDT
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Gosh, why charter and steal and a 38 foot boat when you
could have chartered and stolen a much larger one? If you're going to be a
pirate, might as well be a super bad one!
Another missing boat, a Beneteau Oceanus 500 with
in-mast furling, named Lady Ashley Brett. The
Canadian-flagged boat was last seen two and half months ago in Tortola, if you
see it, send Dear Miss Mermaid an email.
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August 3rd, 2010 (DMM thinks she forgot to
post this one, better late than never...)
Woke this morning to have
a spectacular sun rise. We have disturbed weather for today, sort of
squally. Put the solar heat on early for the pool since it's looking
like we will have more clouds than sun. Wind has dramatically picked
up and is gusting around 23 knots. Had a small rain squall come
through. Hope that it will not be a washout for the East End
parade.
the Mermaid Gardener
August 4, 10:30am
Tropical Storm Colin is located about 150
miles east northeast of the Leeward islands and has become a little better
organized. Local heavy rains and strong gutsy gusty winds are possible in
the Virgin Islands. Colin could possibly regenerate into something more
ominous, but we hope not.
A hurricane hunter plane is going out to hunt
Colin down later today and bring us back reports.
I've got intermittent internet, so I might
even be able to post some more carnival pics!
From dat crazy Dear Miss
Mermaid
MORE pictures coming
soon! |
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- Festival on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 10:04:08 EDT
|
Colin seems to be about dead but I'm not counting him out until his last
winds pass da islands! Two...Two NEW problems popped up over night and one
bag of clouds that look like something on the SatScan don't seem to be of
concern to anyone but I'll be glad when they are also gone as it looks to be
heading toward us. The two new disturbances look to be heading West and
will not approach us at all as they are West of us already and much to the
South. Both seem be be heading toward a Mexican Holiday.
Today in da Virgin Islands, we have a partly cloudy sky and now having a
light rain shower.... that is nice as the winds were down and earlier the Sun
was burning through and things were getting HOT. Winds are presently about
5 knots but may reach 12 to 17 according to the weather services. Good
chance of a few showers and possible thunder showers later this evening.
Seas are 2 to 4 in the Sir Francis Drake Channel and from my vantage point I can
see from St. John's Eastern shore to Virgin Gorda and I see only 5 boats out all
under power with no sails up at 8:15.
Today is Festival Day in East End... the music started at 4:30 AM.
I'm about 2 miles away and some higher and I can see ripples from the base
forming in the Pool near by. Think my liver would quiver if I got close to
the amps! It is going to be a HOT one today and I'm not sure if I will go
to the downtown East End area or just try to find a good friend that will allow
me to hang by and In a cool pool and just feel the music.... maybe with a cool
drink in hand???
later
da Wayward Sailor
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- Don't Stop the Carnival, Parade Pictures
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 22:34:07 EDT
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Parade Pictures from WayWard Sailor on Tortola, BVI
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- Good news about Colin!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 18:48:43 EDT
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|
Colin is moving rapidly, but has degenerated into a remnant low pressure
area. So he's still worth watching... but losing his steam.
LOCATION...15.8N 53.8W
ABOUT 540 MI...865 KM E OF THE
LEEWARD ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...40 MPH...65 KM/HR
PRESENT
MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 35 MPH...56 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL
PRESSURE...1006 MB...29.71 INCHES
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- Festival is Great! Don't Stop the Carnival!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 11:06:40 EDT
|
Wow.. Festival was Great. About Everyone was in Road Town Monday and
the Parade was colorful and LOUD. Attaching a HUGE number of Photos
allowing the dear mermaid a chance to really work hard and figure out which to
attached as I know that loverly Mermaid Gardner was also at the parade and has
already sent in her catch of photos. Hopefully some are different I know a
couple are probably unique!
Sky's are mixed and partly Cloudy and we had a Red Sky in the AM and it
looks like a good chance for active weather later in the day. Winds are
about 20 knots and seas are choppy with small white caps but they will build
through the day. Not many boats out today, so far. Monday had the
largest group of sail boats out that I have seen in a long time. One party
boat that runs from Virgin Gorda to Road Town Tortola was busy all day back and
forth with party makers. Looked to be almost a hundred people on one I
saw... all having a good time maybe too good? a few seem to be almost
hanging over the sides.
Hope the Senior Dear Mermaid likes the job of doing all the photos she
can!
Later
da Wayward Sailor
Dear Miss Mermaid is having technical difficulties... pictures
coming soon!
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- Tropical Storm Colin is on his way, get ready!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 10:48:18 EDT
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|
Tropical depression four has become the third named
tropical storm of the season and he's named Colin.
Currently he is 945 miles east of the Lesser
Antilles.
Festival Monday !!
What a great parade the
islanders put on. The day was Hot Hot Hot!!! and so were all the
parade participants!! Food was both spicy and local dishes home
made. We arrived at the parade site, downtown Roadtown at 1230pm,
started walking up the street from Bobby's to Sunny Caribee...past Pussers
up to Three Sheets bar and restaurant. Planted ourselves upstairs at
the front of the bar facing the street and had a grand time eating, limin,
and watching the parade. The actual parade started at around
3pm..... far cry from the scheduled aprox. 10am start with all locals know
is never the start time. .unlike in the states there were no
marching bands just cranked up flatbeds with huge speakers playing music
so loud that you could restart your heart to the bass. The troupes were
wonderful to watch them dance and groove to the music. Loved the
Jumbies, and the Environmental group, as well as the pirates. I
think that the best troupe was the Shaku Zulu troupe with their authentic
African costumes. Finally had so much fun walking the parade route
and needed to rest my ears headed back to the house and ran into the pool
for a cool dip. Thanks to all the efforts of the parade participants
and those behind the scenes for it was really a great
parade.
Chilin out......your Mermaid
Gardener
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- Tropical Storm Colin is on his way, get ready!
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 09:43:45 EDT
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|
Tropical depression four has become the third named
tropical storm of the season and he's named Colin.
Currently he is 945 miles east of the Lesser
Antilles.
Festival Monday !!
What a great parade the
islanders put on. The day was Hot Hot Hot!!! and so were all the
parade participants!! Food was both spicy and local dishes home
made. We arrived at the parade site, downtown Roadtown at 1230pm,
started walking up the street from Bobby's to Sunny Caribee...past Pussers
up to Three Sheets bar and restaurant. Planted ourselves upstairs at
the front of the bar facing the street and had a grand time eating, limin,
and watching the parade. The actual parade started at around
3pm..... far cry from the scheduled aprox. 10am start with all locals know
is never the start time. .unlike in the states there were no
marching bands just cranked up flatbeds with huge speakers playing music
so loud that you could restart your heart to the bass. The troupes were
wonderful to watch them dance and groove to the music. Loved the
Jumbies, and the Environmental group, as well as the pirates. I
think that the best troupe was the Shaku Zulu troupe with their authentic
African costumes. Finally had so much fun walking the parade route
and needed to rest my ears headed back to the house and ran into the pool
for a cool dip. Thanks to all the efforts of the parade participants
and those behind the scenes for it was really a great
parade.
Chilin out......your Mermaid
Gardener
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- Ooops! Boat on Shore near Paraquita Bay, Tortola, BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 12:28:30 EDT
|
Dis not be good, mon...
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- Tropical Depression Four is Official Now
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 12:11:38 EDT
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|
LOCATION...12.6N 41.1W
ABOUT 1365 MI...(2200 KM) EAST OF THE
LESSER ANTILLES
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...35
MPH...(55 KM/HR)
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 17 MPH...(28
KM/HR)
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1006 MB...29.71 INCHES
Time for everyone in the Virgin Islands to do a practice run, get all
your hurricane supplies in now, avoid the crowds and parking
nightmares, shop early. Don't forget to top up your cars,generators and
boats with fuel supplies, typically the pumps don't work when da current mash
up!
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- Monday in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 12:04:11 EDT
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Good Morning! Happy 2010 BVI Festival August Monday!!
This
morning has started out on the warm and windy side. Winds are up at about
18-20 knots up here on the ridge line at East End. I'm sure that the winds
will be less when the parade is going on.
Yesterday I made sure
that I checked with the owner of the best ice cream shop on the planet, well at
least here in the BVI, and she said that the parade has started closer to being
on time last year than in years past so that getting to Road Town around 1230pm
would be great. I'm going to head down there pick up some local food, wear
my ear plugs and watch the parade go by at a snails pace. It's like
Mayberry here in Tortola the parade participants chat with all their friends
along the parade route so that the parade which should only last maybe 1-1/2
hours lasts for 3-4. Great fun, but bring water and an
umbrella.
The other excitement that transpired yesterday afternoon, is
that upon coming home from helping a friend with boating issues, there down by
Paraquita Bay, which is a hurricane safe haven for sailboats, there upon the
rocky shore were two sailboats that were being delivered to the bay, up on the
reef and rocks.
It was tough to see one up on the rocky shore, but my
surprise they were able to pull the 36' boat off the shore. Boating can be
hazardous even putting your sailboat away for the hurricane season. The
entrance into Paraquita Bay is quite shallow and there is rocky shoreline on
both sides so that unless you really know the entrance you can easily get hung
up either on the sandbar that is in the small channel or loose control and end
up on the rocks. The bay is filling up and it will probably continue to be
filling while I'm here. Tis the hurricane season for sheltering your
sailboat.
Yesterday had a new friend put her boat into Paraquita Bay and
she ran aground on the sandbar in the channel. After trying to push the
boat off the sandbar with a dingy they ended up kedging the sailboat and
getting her free. Her boat is now tucked away for safe keeping until the
hurricane season is finished.
Not much gardening going on too busy going
to festival and enjoying the local food. Will send off Parade pictures to
Dear Miss Mermaid later today.
Bye for now from the Mermaid
Gardener
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- Ut oh... Another Storm Seems to be Forming
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 09:40:21 EDT
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|
Another hurricane on the way? Better get your hurricane provisions
laid in if you are in the Caribbean.
A large area of low pressure located about 950 miles from West Southwest of
the Cape Verde Islands remains well organized and could easily develop into a
storm. Stay tuned...
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- Earthquakes in paradise
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 06:31:51 EDT
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WASHED UP IN A BOTTLE ON THE SEASHORE:
Vernon
Vernon,
Thanks for pointing that out. My internet has been horrible, so I
haven't been able to stay on top of things as much as I would prefer.
I don't like these shallow earthquakes either. Nobody wants
to even THINK about a tsunami in the islands or a major earthquake. Road Town on
Tortola is mostly built on reclaimed land, as they call it. Actually, they've
filled in parts of the ocean and made new land. I don't see how this is
considered reclaimed. I think it's more like a way for the government to come up
with free land, though filling it in, does take tons of labor.
Anyhow, these reclaimed lands, will simply liquefy in the event of an
earthquake or tsunami and mother nature, will take it back to be her own. The
fact that fancy tall buildings now sit on the reclaimed land, won't influence
mother nature one bit, should she decide to reclaim her own ocean back again.
It's darn impossible to plan for a tsunami or an earthquake. Keeping
the usual hurricane emergency supplies around should help, as well as a
knowledge of swimming and some life jackets.
Hopefully, the Caribbean will continue to be beautiful and blissfully
exempt from such catastrophe.
I remember many pleasant afternoons spent with Bob of Smugglers Cove
Hotel, where we often speculated about tsunamis. I think it's been over a
100 years since the last vaguely recorded tsunami hit the Virgin Islands.
Could it be time for one again?
We hope not!
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- Earthquakes in paradise
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 06:31:16 EDT
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|
WASHED UP IN A BOTTLE ON THE SEASHORE:
Vernon
Vernon,
Thanks for pointing that out. My internet has been horrible, so I
haven't been able to stay on top of things as much as I would prefer.
I don't like these shallow earthquakes either. Nobody wants
to even THINK about a tsunami in the islands or a major earthquake. Road Town on
Tortola is mostly built on reclaimed land, as they call it. Actually, they've
filled in parts of the ocean and made new land. I don't see how this is
considered reclaimed. I think it's more like a way for the government to come up
with free land, though filling it in, does take tons of labor.
Anyhow, these reclaimed lands, will simply liquefy in the event of an
earthquake or tsunami and mother nature, will take it back to be her own. The
fact that fancy tall buildings now sit on the reclaimed land, won't influence
mother nature one bit, should she decide to reclaim her own ocean back again.
It's darn impossible to plan for a tsunami or an earthquake. Keeping
the usual hurricane emergency supplies around should help, as well as a
knowledge of swimming and some life jackets.
Hopefully, the Caribbean will continue to be beautiful and blissfully
exempt from such catastrophe.
I remember many pleasant afternoons spent with Bob of Smugglers Cove
Hotel, where we often speculated about tsunamis. I think it's been over a
100 years since the last vaguely recorded tsunami hit the Virgin Islands.
Could it be time for one again?
We hope not!
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- Stuff to watch...
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:53:41 EDT
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A WESTWARD-MOVING TROPICAL WAVE CONTINUES TO PRODUCE
DISORGANIZED
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN AND
SOUTH-CENTRAL
CARIBBEAN SEA. LITTLE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEM IS
EXPECTED
UNTIL IT REACHES THE SOUTHWESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.
A SMALL AREA OF DISTURBED WEATHER OVER THE EASTERN
ATLANTIC ABOUT
700 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE CAPE VERDE ISLANDS CONTINUES TO
LOSE
ORGANIZATION AS IT INTERACTS WITH A LARGER TROPICAL WAVE A
FEW
HUNDRED MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF THE CAPE VERDE ISLANDS.
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- Food Fair on Tortola in the beautiful British Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:46:16 EDT
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It's Carnival on Tortola
British Virgin
Islands
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- BVI Festival Food Fair
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:39:04 EDT
|
Yes the BVI Festival is starting out on a good taste bud! The food fair was
in full swing this afternoon! Plenty of local homemade food. BBQ chicken, ribs,
stewed Welks, conch, pork, and goat. So happy to have made it back to the BVI
for festival! Had the BBQ ribs, rice & peas, yummy plantains, and to
top that off home made a locally made passion fruit Drink. Yummy! The day
wad hot and sticky, haze has rolled in, seas choppy, with winds around 11-15
knots. No storms on the close horizon, however, invest 90 might be worth
watching!!! From your BBQ finger licking good loved my lunch ....Mermaid
Gardener  Dear Miss Mermaid writes:
Is that the NEW famous WEATHER ROCK of Road Town, Tortola?
How cool! Let's see:
If the rock is hot: It's sunny
If the rock is cold: It's cloudy
If the rock is wet: It's raining
If the rock is dry: The wind is blowing
If the rock is red: The volcano blew
If the rock is shaking: It's an earthquake
If the rock is white: It's snowing
If the rock is underwater: It's a tsunami
If the rock is GONE: It's a hurricane!!!
Looking at
the picture above, I suddenly feel old. I remember when this park was at least
four times bigger with triple the trees and the nearest building was not so
near, and was only two stories tall.
Somewhere in the Tortola StormCarib archives, is a picture supplied by Kim
of Canada, of this park in the 60's, when it was on the ocean and nearly
surrounded by sand! I must dig in my pics and try to find a copy of that.
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- Another Tropical Wave
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:09:17 EDT
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|
Showers and thunderstorms from another tropical wave are moving across the
Windward Islands. heavy rains and gutsy gusty winds are expected in the Lesser
Antilles.
Another area of disturbed weather is across the Atlantic, about 650 miles
southwest of the Cape Verde Islands. This one looks baaaaaaaaad. Like it
could make a rumble and adopt a name. Well worth watching.
Stay tuned...
Wayward Sailor should be back in range soon to make some live
reports.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(\_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rumors abound that Dear Miss Mermaid was last seen riding a motorcycle
into the sunset, mumbling something about fetching cheese from Amish Country.
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- How to Fold a Sail for hurricane storage, in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:00:11 EDT
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Weather is here, wish I was too...
No storms on the horizon.
Yet.
August and September traditionally bring on more storms than June and July.
It's been a quiet year so far.
This sent in from a gentle reader:
This picture was recently taken at Penn's Landing in Tortola,
BVI. As a sailor, I am VERY impressed. It's a perfect example of how
to fold your sail for hurricane storage. I am not sure how he folded such a big
sail on such a narrow dock!
Furthermore, the BVI is well known for it's constant tradewinds, so this
feat on a narrow dock with breezy winds, must have taken quite some time. But
this sailor, looks mighty pleased with his handy work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(\_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read about Dear Miss Mermaid's misadventures as she wanders around
getting lost in North America at
DearMissMermaid.Com
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- Wednesday in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:05:51 EDT
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All is well in the BVI, no storms, no hurricanes. Local
correspondents will be back soon!
BVI August Festival Flyer:
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- All is Well in the BVI
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:31:50 EDT
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Wayward Sailor has sailed out of internet range, Dear Miss Mermaid has gone
on walk-about, Mermaid Gardener is en route to the BVI and Missy Lissy is having
a blast in New England...
However, no storms on the horizon. YIPPEE!
Here is My favorite carnival, Carrot Bay! I especially love the
donkey races!
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- Monday A.M. in West End, Tortola, BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:47:10 EDT
|
It is a nice AM here at West End, partly Cloudy, winds variable and light
but seem to want to come from the East North East which is about what the
weather services said they would but not yet at the near 20 MPH that was
indicated. The Bay here is near calm and I can't see much of the channel
or rather the Narrows from my mooring spot. Only about a dozen occupied
boats here, and about as many charter boats empty and that dose not include
those in the slips which all appear unoccupied. Last Ferry got in at about
5:30 and the Customs and Immigrations offices closed down by 6:00. I
arrived just after noon and that was in the middle of the Puerto Rican Navy
withdrawal... geezzz what a mess! Huge Deep Sea Fishing boats 60 foot
plus, none with dinks all jockeying for a place to back into the C&I dock to
discharge the person doing the checking in and out and what makes this even more
interesting are when the ferry's from St. John, St. Thomas and Jost Van Dyke
come in and they have priority. Don't think anyone had any collisions but
one of the huge boats had a bow that had evidence of MANY prior encounters with
objects... probably docks. Docks can be a huge problem with these large
boats in the evenings. They move around and forward and back 10 to 15 feet
as the boats come back from a long weekend partying... at least they SEEM to be
doing that as the possibly less than sober crews attempt a landing. This
one appeared to have had about 4 feet of its bow smashed in and was coated with
some thing looking a lot like BONDO worked on with possibly a yard rake.
Funny, a near Million Dollar boat with such a bad repair job... at least it seem
to communicate the message to the other boats "do not approach too close or
I may ram you because I don't know anything about handling it".....
Well I'm off to Customs and Immigration to check out for a couple of days
while I make a run to St. John and St. Thomas. Will be out of internet
contact for most of that time unless I find a working WIFI at the Red Hook
Marina. Will update when possible.
later
da Wayward Sailor
DMM received a note from a Tortola resident who said her current was
mashed up for over 8 hours! Lawdy mercy, they are never going to get that
power grid figured out.
I've been battling with the BVI Electric trying to get my deposit back
from them since I left months ago, and all I get is broken promises!
DearMissMermaid.com
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- Sunday in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:52:53 EDT
|
|
I think our formatting problem here is fixed. Gert the webmaster and
owner and chief volunteer of StormCarib.Com just got back from the c-c-c-cold
Arctic. He is now en route to St Maarten to thaw out! He fixed whatever I
did wrong here to make the page show up funny. Hope this helps on your end.
Now, if and when I get internet, this will be updated. ;-)
Dear Miss Mermaid (still on walkabout)
Dear Miss Mermaid:
A HUGE thank you! The more reviews, the better
chance Amazon
will give me some much-needed publicity. THANK you very much!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John in Seattle sent this ballad last year, but it's so cool, I felt it was
worthy of a reprint!
Ballad of Himmacane Bill
The Sahara sand swirls
in planetary curls
far over the south Atlantee.
Though light as a feather,
it stirs up the weather
to a truly unpleasant degree.
It's the sea-lane where forms
that most frightful of storms--
the tropical pinwheel of death.
One August was born
from a convection of foam
and a depressively sweltering breath
A massive cloud bank
shot with lightning and dank
hefting roiling curtains of rain.
It showed first as a wave,
then a low, then it gave
notice as westward it came.
"I won't be denied.
I've got panic inside.
I demand that you give me a name!"
To a storm did it grow
as o'er seascape it flowed
and at bars folks were drinking their fill.
The weathermen plotted
with data besotted
And pronounced it hurricane "Bill".
Square in its sights
the Caribs took fright
as inexorably onward it whirled
Alone in its path
not afraid of its wrath
lay a bed-ridden Tortolan girl.
She battled for health
and was stripped of her wealth
by hospital expenses extreme.
But night after night
through her terrible blight
her mind flashed like a bright hopeful gleam.
She stared down that storm.
It shuddered and turned
til it swung over to North by Northwest.
On the radar it crawled,
over ocean it sprawled,
to the watchers it offered no rest.
Then the peril was past.
The sun shone out at last.
The islanders came out to play.
And Miss Mermaid went home,
her dark labor was done,
to relish her life one more day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Hello Miss Mermaid !!! All is well here in Tortola, or at least
weather wise. ( We'll talk about the drag racing course
proposition later ). That will take at least a whole different page.
There is nothing looming about out in the Atlantic, so for now we can breathe
easily. We just now had a very brief little shower and there are
more little showers predicted for tomorrow, but nothing to get excited about and
nothing to even chase the cats inside.
Had a lovely sail with friends yesterday to The Dogs. Winds were about 14
knots and there were quite a few sailors out. Along the way we were
delighted to have the company of a spotted eagle ray skimming
along the top of the water. While at the Dogs, my friends went diving
around /through the "Chimney" and I snorkled around the steep banks. The
snorkeling was fabulous !!! I passed over one particular area of
hard "plant " material that was emitting iridescent bubbles like pearls that
shot up to the top of the water . I was mesmerized. I have no idea what I was
witnessing, and no one I have asked seems to know. Any ideas
someone?
Missa Lissa
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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- Sunday in the BVI
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:49:49 EDT
|
|
I think our formatting problem here is fixed. Gert the webmaster and
owner and chief volunteer of StormCarib.Com just got back from the c-c-c-cold
Arctic. He is now en route to St Maarten to thaw out! He fixed whatever I
did wrong here to make the page show up funny. Hope this helps on your end.
Now, if and when I get internet, this will be updated. ;-)
Dear Miss Mermaid (still on walkabout)
Dear Miss Mermaid:
A HUGE thank you! The more reviews, the better
chance Amazon
will give me some much-needed publicity. THANK you very much!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John in Seattle sent this ballad last year, but it's so cool, I felt it was
worthy of a reprint!
Ballad of Himmacane Bill
The Sahara sand swirls
in planetary curls
far over the south Atlantee.
Though light as a feather,
it stirs up the weather
to a truly unpleasant degree.
It's the sea-lane where forms
that most frightful of storms--
the tropical pinwheel of death.
One August was born
from a convection of foam
and a depressively sweltering breath
A massive cloud bank
shot with lightning and dank
hefting roiling curtains of rain.
It showed first as a wave,
then a low, then it gave
notice as westward it came.
"I won't be denied.
I've got panic inside.
I demand that you give me a name!"
To a storm did it grow
as o'er seascape it flowed
and at bars folks were drinking their fill.
The weathermen plotted
with data besotted
And pronounced it hurricane "Bill".
Square in its sights
the Caribs took fright
as inexorably onward it whirled
Alone in its path
not afraid of its wrath
lay a bed-ridden Tortolan girl.
She battled for health
and was stripped of her wealth
by hospital expenses extreme.
But night after night
through her terrible blight
her mind flashed like a bright hopeful gleam.
She stared down that storm.
It shuddered and turned
til it swung over to North by Northwest.
On the radar it crawled,
over ocean it sprawled,
to the watchers it offered no rest.
Then the peril was past.
The sun shone out at last.
The islanders came out to play.
And Miss Mermaid went home,
her dark labor was done,
to relish her life one more day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Hello Miss Mermaid !!! All is well here in Tortola, or at least
weather wise. ( We'll talk about the drag racing course
proposition later ). That will take at least a whole different page.
There is nothing looming about out in the Atlantic, so for now we can breathe
easily. We just now had a very brief little shower and there are
more little showers predicted for tomorrow, but nothing to get excited about and
nothing to even chase the cats inside.
Had a lovely sail with friends yesterday to The Dogs. Winds were about 14
knots and there were quite a few sailors out. Along the way we were
delighted to have the company of a spotted eagle ray skimming
along the top of the water. While at the Dogs, my friends went diving
around /through the "Chimney" and I snorkled around the steep banks. The
snorkeling was fabulous !!! I passed over one particular area of
hard "plant " material that was emitting iridescent bubbles like pearls that
shot up to the top of the water . I was mesmerized. I have no idea what I was
witnessing, and no one I have asked seems to know. Any ideas
someone?
Missa Lissa
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- Wayward Sailor in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:59:31 EDT
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Actually has a near Full Moon last night.... and we could see it!!!
Not many clouds and moderate winds about 15 knots, seas 2 to 4 feet. Went
to sleep hoping for a nice day Sunday and it appears we have it!
Partly cloudy sky, winds 15 to 19 knots and seas not yet building up but
should top out at 3 to 5. Low chance of rain. Now that is Good News
for a change. We need a dry out! Forecast look similar until Wed
when higher chance of rain appears at 50%.
I'm about to drop the mooring here at Penn's Landing and head down to West
End and check out later tonight or Monday AM and head to St. John. Have a
couple of things to do including a hair cut then on Wed, I'm heading to St.
Thomas to pick up a special friend for a nice dinner then sail back to Tortola
over the next day or so. Will not have internet most of this time so
reporting will be when I can get the WIFI signals and they are typically poor on
the Eastern end of St. Thomas..
later
da Wayward Sailor
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- Saturday in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2010 10:57:05 EDT
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Again the day started with a short rain shower and heaver overcast with
temps in low 80's. Probably not much chance of substantial Sun today or
Sunday. Tropmet radar shows a small cluster of rain storms moving in but
they appear to be small at this time. The front moving in does not appear
to be a very large or strong one and winds are not expected to build up near as
much. 19 Knots is about as high as NOAA thinks they will get and seas
under 6 feet.
Friday did have a dry out for us. Much of the day was a high overcast
but it was reasonably bright and you could see the sun hiding behind thin
clouds. Winds were in mid teens and all in all it was a great day for a
walk. I took one at Trellis Bay and walked back to Penn's Landing.
As I was leaving Penn's, Granddad came out to say good day as he took a stroll
around the gardens at Penn's. Also got a shot of him in his home tree....
can you see him??
later
da Wayward Sailor
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- Tropical Storm Bonnie not a threat to the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:21:24 EDT
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Another wet start to a day BUT, the TropMet Radar shows the dark low
overhead clouds now sprinkling on us are smaller than they appear from da
boat. They should pass soon and we SHOULD get some at least filtered sun
from the higher overcast. Still the forecast calls for another front to
move in Sunday night through Monday but it is more difficult to locate on the
Sat Images. It looks weaker than all those that have gone over in the past
few weeks... I HOPE!!!
Presently, we have a misty rain and a low overcast of dark clouds but do
have some sunlight breaking through occasionally. Temps are low to mid
80"s except in a closed up boat where it is damp and about 87. Hope to be
able to vent as soon as the mist goes by. Could us a full time hatch
opener and closer.... if you have ever lived on a boat you know whiat I
mean!
Winds are light at under 8 knots and seas are calm for now with the Sir
Francis Drake channel showing 2 to 3 footers at best.. All changes when a cell
moves though. We are spending a lot of time wi after a cell passed looking
to the West and North West which is odd. As though the storm were back
filling. More often when a cell passes we go calm for a bit then head up
toward the East and South East again.
Hope the mess that passed us earlier this week now called Bonny will pass
Florida with out causing much of a notice and allow the people working on the
oil spill to get on with the job.
Looking at the stuff coming off Africa, it appears most are slamming up
against South America. Often in this earlier part of the season we are
bothered by direct storms that have moved up the island chain before reaching
South American area. While these are early in development they are still a
mess to deal with. Later in the season is when we fear those that pass us
well to the South and head toward South America and then get stronger and
boomerang back toward us due to some frontal effects coming off North
America. Just different phases of the season and no hard rules exist so
things can and do change. We all need to keep an eye on the weather....
which is difficult to do with out internet and TV/ Radio that give good local
reports. I'll be with out internet for much of next week as I head back to
the USVI. My BVI wireless will not work in most areas when I'm sailing in
USVI. Should be back in BVI by this time next week but will attempt to
send in local reports when I can of what is occurring.
later
da Wayward Sailor
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Tropical Storm Bonnie is about 80 miles South-Southeast of Miami, laden
with heavy squalls. She is not a threat to the BVI at this time.
Phew!
Those in the Florida Keys better batten down the hatches and get ready
for one big mess.
Dear Miss Mermaid
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Older reports from the BVI have been moved to another page.
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