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For the most recent reports from the BVI see this page.
- - - 2011 Hurricane Season - - -
- Whit Monday...pretty start to the week
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2011 05:36:27 -0700 (PDT)
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Good
Morning,
I'm not sure if businesses will
be open or not on Whit Monday, it seems like when you talk with folks some of
the holidays are a bit confusing as far as what businesses are closed and which
are open. Oh well, maybe a good excuse to not worry about it and enjoy the
day. We have scattered clouds and it's a pretty start to the week, seas
are flat but the light breeze feels good.
This is the forecast for the next couple of days
from NOAA:
Today: E wind 8 to 10 kt. Isolated showers. Seas 1 ft or
less.
Tonight: E wind around 9 kt. Scattered showers. Seas 1 ft or
less.
Tuesday: ESE wind 7 to 10 kt. Scattered showers, mainly
before noon. Seas 1 ft or less.
Tuesday Night: ESE wind 9 to 11
kt. Scattered showers. Seas 1 ft or less.
Wednesday: ESE wind 8 to
13 kt. Scattered showers. Seas 1 ft or less.
Wednesday Night: ESE
wind 10 to 12 kt. Isolated showers. Seas 1 ft or less.
Cooper island web cam this
morning. Looks peaceful and serine!
The temperature could
heat up today,we are expecting 88 degrees and a heat index of 99!!!
Wow!! Time to hit the beach and maybe the pool!!
Cheers!
the Mermaid
Gardener
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- BVI bright and clear
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 11 Jun 2011 15:43:42 EDT
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All that rain is making t'ing green mon!![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/08)
No storms or hurricanes, no worries. Be happy. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/01)
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- Day 10 of Hurricane Season in the Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:22:01 EDT
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While there is a slight disturbance around Cuba and the
Bahamas, it's not a threat to the Virgin Islands.
Day 10 of hurricane season and we're safe and comfy.![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/02)
However, the Virgin Islands have some cloud cover and the
usual scattered rains. Good for the cisterns and gardens. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/01)
Doesn't this picture just make you wish you were on a
sailboat right now?
Of course I LOVE piano, being a piano player myself... so for
you enthusiasts:
Piano bar entertainer
Jeff Abbott is in the British Virgin Islands performing in Sam's Piano Bar
at The Rock Café on Virgin Gorda through the end of June. He performs
nightly, except Sundays, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
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- Day 9 of hurricane season in the Virgin Islands
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2011 11:01:14 EDT
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No hurricanes on the horizon! 9 safe days so far! ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/04)
Weather still very damp and very humid. We had severe thunder
storm yesterday and some flash flooding. Everything is wet, damp and yucky ducky
mucky muddy. The sun is out now and we are all gently steaming!![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/08)
Lonely for the Caribbean? ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/11)
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- Oh boy do I see blue skies?
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2011 06:01:47 -0700 (PDT)
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Good
Morning,
It's currently 82
degrees and we are expecting just a 40% chance of rain today. Winds are
light out of the north at 6mph. If we have just a little bit of clearing
skies it will help. The ground is pretty saturated and the little bit
of grass that I have in my gardens is growing like crazy so it will be time for
my gardener to come over and weedwack the grass down. He was unable to
come on his normal day this week with all the ran but was over yesterday morning
early to prune all my scrubs. It's just too wet to get out there and do
much of anything else.
Yesterday it
continued to be overcast skies, so with this small break in the cloud cover
maybe folks we be a little brighter in spirits.
Great news is that we
do not have a hurricane over our shoulder right now!
Cheers!!
the Mermaid
Gardener
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- Me oh my when will be see the sun??
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2011 03:37:34 -0700 (PDT)
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Good morning from Soggy
Tortola and not the soggy dollar,
Yesterday was almost a
complete wash out. Rained most of the day with heavy showers in the
afternoon.
received another `1" of
rain yesterday. Temperatures where cool all day and into the night.
Seas are slightly up as
well as the breeze. Invest 94 is still out there but so far not overtly
effecting us.
The current temperature is
81 degrees, but it feels cooler than that I'm sure that is because of the
dampness and slight
breeze. Let's hope that this system will break up a bit and allow us to
dry out
for a couple of days over
the weekend. Still overcast no peeks of sun out there for sure.
Heard that
some areas of the island
where without power Tuesday night and even last night as well. Life
in
the
BVI!!
Happy mid
week!
the Mermaid
Gardener
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Yesterday's
sunsrise..where??? |
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Road Harbor at lunchtime dinned at the
pub. |
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Invest 94 still not a threat to
us. |
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- Pesky mosquito's and rain drops!
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2011 04:01:16 -0700 (PDT)
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-
Good dreary wet pouring
down rain morning!!!
Yep, that's exactly what
have here in Tortola right now. Last night was the next phase of this
cloudy wet weather pattern the island finds itself surrounded by.
The rain started last night and it poured throughout the night into
morning. We currently have drippy rain drops and misty conditions. I
can barely see Buck Island and Beef Island due to the heavy rain cloud
cover.
The clouds seem to be breaking up a bit but still quite thick.
Checked my rain gauge this morning and received about 1" of rain over
night. My pool is getting full as well as my cisterns!!!
The
forecast looks like this. Radar shows that this messy stuff continues to
come up from the south west. The weather sites are saying that we will
continue in this pattern for the next few days, however, today and tomorrow will
be the worst of it. They are predicting that the weather should improve
possibly over the weekend. So it's looking like an art or read a book kind
of day for me. Seas are up slightly and winds have come up slightly as
well. They are 10mph out of the south east. Temperture is still cool
77 degrees! Time to pull out the long sleeve t-shirts!!!
Yesterday, after having
read da Wayward sailors blog I decided that whenever I'm going to have a dinner
party I will defiantly invite those friends of mine whom mosquito's love to
bite!! No need for citronella candles, I'll just have my friends
over then I can save my citronella candles for hurricanes and when I'm without
my mosquito bait friends!! LOL Now the word will get out that I'm
inviting these friends over just to be mosquito bait, but I'll plan on having
great food and good beverages in payment for being mosquito bait! ![](http://mail.yimg.com/a/i/mesg/tsmileys2/21.gif)
Cheers from a wet!!
![](http://mail.yimg.com/a/i/mesg/tsmileys2/04.gif)
Mermaid
Gardener
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Sunset last night, just a little peek of blue
skies! |
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Sunrise, pretty dreary out! I'll be just
"Singing in the rain"
today! |
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- Yucky Ducky Mucky Muddy in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2011 10:59:08 EDT
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Raining, cloudy, yucky ducky weather. Mucky and muddy.
Winds at 6-9 knots but expected to freshen in the afternoon
with 10-13 knots.
The low pressure is west of the BVI's but it sure looks stormy
here. Hurricane season started with a bang, but no storms yet.
From Franko:
This is one of the most unusual of
Franko’s Maps, because it took so-o-o long to complete it (over three years in
the making), and it included so much input from the locals (almost every bit of
information on it has been given to me or has been carefully scrutinized by the
local BVI people, specifically the British Virgin Islands Dive Association,
which is all of the dive shops and some of the dive live-aboard boat
operators. BVI was a huge undertaking and it turned out better than
good! In fact, I think it is better than better than good! It is an
outstanding, accurate chart of the islands, and it is a good map of the roads
and features of each island as well. Every notable scuba and snorkeling
site is shown, as are main boating routes. This is the coolest map!
It is also interesting in that I utilized no digital data for it’s production,
so it was produced in a less technical way than many of my maps. It is
entirely a tracing of British Government charts, with the shaded relief of the
islands and the descending hues of ocean blue entirely done by yours truly, by
hand on the computer. It is literally a work of
art.
Warm and Stormy
Regards,![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/05)
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- WetStuff
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- By Da Wayward Sailor <dawaywardsailor at aol.com>
- Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2011 10:04:28 -0400 (EDT)
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The whole Eastern Carib is getting or will get more rain over the next few days. A bit less than was expected a few days ago but BVI and the Leewards will still get several inches which is about all we can really handle in such a short time. The below like shows the Water Vapor levels and we are in the HEAVY RED area. When you run it you will see the blob over Jamaica, look a bit South East just off the South American coast and you will see another blob that was heading directly for us but it appears the front that moved off Florida last week is a bit faster than anticipated and will help in pushing the blob more East and keeping it at lower Latitudes which helps our attitudes ![:-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/smile.png)
Still this will be a significant rain event for Tortola as for several months it has been very dry while in most of the Leewards it has been a wetter season than normal.
Here on St. Maarten we had rain most of the night but it was very large drops but not many.... just enough to keep most of the hatches closed... glad I have power for running da fan! .... and for keeping ice for cool drinks! It is hot coffee this AM and I'm getting ready to do several jobs before the rains hit. I replaced my Battery Charger and rewired its AC and made DC connect points at buss bars for the batteries, charger and solar panels. Still have a big job making a wiring change for the Solar panels, as I'm adding one and will making changes that allow me to take them down and put them back up more quickly and with less difficulty doing it alone if necessary. I'll only do the basics now and do the full thing when I next put them back on. Just getting all the small parts made up so I'll be ready.
DID I READ DA MOSQUITO GARDNER SAY SHE HAS FRIENDS OVER SO HER MERMAID FRIENDS CAN BITE THEM INSTEAD OF HER???? ![:-[](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/shame.png) Maybe I made a mistake but............. I know that for some reason while I'm around most people, I'm the one who gets the bites... only a few people I know seem to be able to attract them better than myself.... my sister for one. I know I never seem to get a bite from those biting fly's we have in the fall in Florida and far less mosquito bites when she is around.....MMMmmmm maybe if I get a jar of her blood (just a small one) and places it out side....MMmm I'll probably have to warm it as I know mosquitos only like warm blood.... Mmmm Oh yes I'll have to generate some CO2 to attract them.... MMmm another project job I'll have to figure out. ![8-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/cool.png) This may also explain why I get more evening party invitations in the summer!!! ![:-\](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/indecision.png)
Ohhh yes.... have had several questions on Orient Beach. Answers are Yes, yes and You Bet your Life! and No, not allowed to do that. Hope that clears up most of the questions ![;-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/wink.png)
later da Wayward Sailor, now in St. Maarten, West Indies for a bit.
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- Gloomy skies this morning..ho hum...
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2011 03:18:37 -0700 (PDT)
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Good Monday Morning,
Stayed in last night, canceled my dinner plans I just don't enjoy driving in the rain here on the island. Lightening subsided last night but the rain continued throughout into the morning hours. There is still some rain that is currently falling but it is gentle and light. Checked my rain gauge this morning while I was heating up some water for my morning yogi tea, and the rain gauge read .70 inches of rain. I could hear it trickling into my cistern throughout the night. Wahoo! More cistern water!!
Seems like the birds are enjoying the coolness of the morning and the rain. They are all singing..Thrashers, Bananaquits and those pesky free range roosters are chanting their usual
morning horrible out of key calling. Give me Thrashers or Bananquits any day instead of those roosters.
The mosquito population has increased. I'm outside under a sarong, on my chase lounge watching them hover around me but...I have them beat!! Just cover myself up like a mummy while it's still cool out and they can't bite me! The other way I have them beat is when I'm around several friends, the mosquito's flock to them instead of me! I think I need to hang out with those friends more often.
The forecast for today is much of the same, cloudy skies, potential rain and who knows maybe more of that thunder and lightening we had last night. Seas are flat and there is NO wind.
Have got lunch plans for today, and also some errands to run. Will continue to look at the mess over by Jamaica. Sounds like hurricane hunters will be back out this afternoon taking readings on the disturbance. I know
that Florida had a wave go through with some much needed rain. Thank goodness it was just rain and nothing more.
Cheers from a..... got those mosquito's beat.... Mermaid Gardener
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- Wow thunder and lightening!!!
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Sun, 5 Jun 2011 15:06:35 -0700 (PDT)
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Good Evening from rainy
thunder and lightening Tortola, ![Umbrella emoticon Umbrella emoticon](gifTyjO1PgCfV.gif)
It is currently raining
lightly but there is a huge cloud bank coming in from Peter Island heading west
ward. It have quite a bit of lightening and thunder in the storm
front. Tonight will defiantly be and inside kind of night.
It's
still quite warm out and the winds have not picked up however the no see ums are
out in full force. I'm sitting out under cover of my Master Suite
deck watching the weather come and they are fierce tonight. I'll
have to put on some light weight clothes if I'm going to stay out here much
longer.
I love watching the weather here from my vantage point high up on
the ridge line. I'm thinking as I'm getting nibbled on that I'm going to have to
spray with SSS (skin so soft) or put on a long sleeve light weight shirt!!
Well so much for that thought. Lighting all around us and rain is coming
down hard. So no need to spray. I'm inside for the night. Wind
has shifted, and is now coming from the west with heavy rain. Lightening
at Beef Island and I did see some earlier at Peter. Going to continue to
watch the weather tonight. Winds are cool and feel really good going to
keep the windows open as long as I can to clear out some of the hot air.![Stormy emoticon Stormy emoticon](giflrEJ9DM32k.gif)
Took this photo just a few
minutes ago and since then we are now in the rain squalls and gusty winds.![Lightning emoticon Lightning emoticon](gif9vdqM31Tmd.gif)
Sticking in doors
tonight!
the Mermaid
Gardener
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This is quite the messy weather night.....guess it
will be a movie
night! |
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- Da power done mash up!!
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Sun, 5 Jun 2011 11:12:15 -0700 (PDT)
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Oh no mon! .....da power done mash up island wide!!!
Woke up this morning and we
have partly cloudy skies with peek a boo sunshine!!! Seas are flat, you
could skim across the water easily!! In fact you probably could skip a
rock right across from Pusser's East all the way over to Cooper!!! Wonder
how many times it would skip? Met up with friends yesterday afternoon down
at the Loose Mongoose. They will be leaving for the season and putting
their boat up on the hard mid June and it was great to get together with
them. It will really start to get quiet here now with hurricane season
coming upon us.
So getting back to the
power done mash up....I was all ready to hop on the computer and send off a post
but my house didn't have power....hum good excuse to to go the Loose Mongoose
and grab a really good breakfast!! Plus you never know who you are going
to meet. Sure enough a friend was there from Penn's landing, plus I
got to meet a new friend that I've been wanting to meet for quite some
time. This island is great for that...meeting old friends and making new
ones. After a nice breakfast took a stroll down the Trellis Bay beach.
It's a nice walking beach you never know what you will stumble upon. This
morning I found several crabs up on shore and one swimming. Star
fish...they always amaze me, and even a large dead calamari oppps
squid! Then there was even a smile-ie face that I stumbled
upon. A good day in finding fun treasures and creatures from the
deep!
The weather today has been
cloudy, with like I said earlier peeks of sun, however, I just heard thunder off
in the distance. Hum maybe that invest that was out west is starting to
change our weather. The mosquito's are out in force and with hardly no
breeze we humans are easy target!!! So time to close up the pool, close the
screens and hunker down with my artwork or read a good
book.
Enjoy the
afternoon,
Bye from a cheerier Mermaid
Gardener...now that I'm on some good drugs...prescription ones....now
now.
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Hey don't step on me!!!! I be smiling on this beach! Some of you
may be skeptical but this is not photo shop.
I have the coral piece to prove
it!!! |
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- Sunday with peek a boo sunshine
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 5 Jun 2011 11:13:31 EDT
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2011
Hurricane Names, our hardworking volunteer Webmaster, Gert, for
StormCarib.com will have a storm named after him this year! ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/08)
- Arlene
- Bret
- Cindy
- Don
- Emily
- Franklin
- Gert
- Harvey
- Irene
- Jose
- Katia
- Lee
- Maria
- Nate
- Ophelia
- Philippe
- Rina
- Sean
- Tammy
- Vince
- Whitney
Lots of clouds. A large low pressure system 150 miles
southwest of Jamaica is not a threat to the BVI at this time, but it's worth
watching in case it becomes the first hurricane named Arlene.
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- Day 4 of hurricane season
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 4 Jun 2011 13:19:35 EDT
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Big mess over around Jamaica, no threat to the Virgin Islands.
But those poor Haitians could get more rain, floods and mudslides. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/03)
As usual, the pros are predicting a busy hurricane season. I
don't think they've ever predicted a quiet hurricane season. Of course the BVI
is notorious for dodging bullets. Rumor is they pull up the anchors holding the
islands down, just move them out of harm's way. So far it's been working pretty
well! ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/04)
Today in the Virgin Islands Kind of wet, very wet,
over by Tortola in the background on the right.
Cooper Island is looking sunny. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/16)
From the mouths of babes...
A child on his final history test:
Sir Walter Raleigh circumcised the world with a big
clipper. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/05)
If you are homesick for the Virgin Islands, you can get loads
of stunning aerial views in the spiral bound book; Virgin
Anchorages .
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- Calm before the rain??
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Sat, 4 Jun 2011 03:58:43 -0700 (PDT)
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Good
Morning,
This morning just like last
night seas are flat out on the Sir Francis Drake Channel. There is
absolutely no wind out there, not even the leaves are moving. Last night
it was a 2 fan kind of night, one overhead and the other at the floor moving the
air around. It's been extremely hot here and we are looking at a potential
of quite a bit of rain early this upcoming week.
The island has turned quite
green since we started receiving the rain showers off and on over the last
month. Even last night there was a quiet shower that made everything smell
fresh. My Flamboyant tree is in full bloom and is stunning. Will try
to take some flower photo's before the rains.
Invest 94 is out there on
the western horizon and that is what will be effecting our weather in the
upcoming days.
Here are this morning's
coordinates for those of you who like to know the exact
location.
Tracking Info For Invest 94
Time Lat Lon Wind(mph) Pressure Storm type ------------------------------------------------------------- 18 GMT 06/3/11 16.1N 77.3W 20 1007 Invest 00 GMT 06/4/11 16.3N 77.8W 25 1007 Invest
Maybe time to look at my hurricane supplies and pick up some can goods, etc. The time is now to be pre-paired for any disturbances or
hurricane possibilities. Cheers from the feeling better but still slightly under the weather, ![Sad
smile emoticon Sad smile emoticon](gifagIiPrzsiu.gif) Mermaid Gardener
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Not so bright and early this morning..where is the
sun?? |
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- Wet Weather on the way...
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- By Da Wayward Sailor <dawaywardsailor at aol.com>
- Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2011 18:42:09 -0400 (EDT)
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We will be having 5 to 9 knots of wind for remainder of today and Saturday then an increasing trend through Monday and Tuesday when they should be between 15 and 20 Knots and seas will grow from the present 1 to 3 feet to 3 to 5 feet and significant increases in chance of significant amounts of Rain. Cloud cover will grow from today and may knock down the effectiveness of those Solar Panels so I guess I need to check my gas supply for the generator as I hate to run the boat engine to keep the batterie banks charged when it is cloudy. Very expensive and places too much ware on the engine ![:](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/cry.png)
The weather system Invest 94 shown in the below photo will effect our local areas by the end of the weekend and Monday and Tuesday have a very good chance of seeing rain amounts of over two inches both on Monday and Tuesday. ![:-\](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/indecision.png) While almost all of us still need a good rain.... this much in such a short period will cause problem for many people on Tortola and the other islands. We should expect flash flood warnings if these forecast prove to be anywhere near accurate and great care needs to be taken by all that are out and about during and after these events. Rock Slides and wash outs could and probably will occur with such a large amount over two days.
The continued chance of Thunder Storms go through the full upcoming week so get ready and do not be surprised.
I'm still in St. Maarten for a bit longer and we will be seeing the same stuff here. I'll probably be spending a lot of time locked in da boat and doing a few jobs and more reading. I'll be in an area with almost no internet coverage from the boat and don't really like that but that is the way it will be ![:-(](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/frown.png)
I do have other weather service info sources and radio but I really like to be able to pull up the sat and radar data myself ![8-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/cool.png)
One reason I have not been posting a lot over the past couple of weeks is because I've had a good friend down and we have been out and about here in St. Maarten / St Marten. Lots of day trips to many places in St. Marten including Orient Beach, Marigot, and Lottery Farms. Really loved the Lottery Farms (note it is spelled a half dozen ways here) and did the Zip and Dip. We did a Zip line in the tree tops of the Rain Forest which included several ZIP line links which were fantastic and lots of other high wire crossing methods such as a suspended log link crossing, V line walks and loose U loop walks where loops were placed about 2.5 feet apart and you walked with your feet on the loops and pulled yourself along with dual lines attached to your harness. Problem with this one is you had to PULL your legs Together as you walked..... or you would do a split and fall. All this in well above ground and while you do have a full 2 point harness on the non Zip line parts and a 3 part harness connection on the Zip line portions it would not feel very good to fall and get yanked up from the fall by the harness leaving you 20 to 30 feet or more above the ground unable to do much of anything with out great difficulty such as hand over hand rope climbing (note... I've never been good at that ![:-!](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/foot.png) ) Here are a couple of photos of a friend making a zip line run.
![100_2794.jpg 100_2794.jpg](jpgif5pLqkpQs.jpg)
![100_2796.jpg 100_2796.jpg](jpgoDTDISEzVZ.jpg)
After the hour plus Zip Line Obstacle Course we even took a more adventurous trip ![=-O](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/shock.png)
After a shower we took a Dip in the New Spring Fed Pool![:-D](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/grin.png)
Then an Expressotini........well it Was More than one in a tree top Bar and we even had a rain shower.... Well it IS A RAIN FOREST![8-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/cool.png)
I know I'll get request for photos from Orient Beach....... well that is a place you just do not go around shooting photos but I May have one I can share...... ![=-O](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/shock.png) later
Life is a one way street, you do not get a redo...... enjoy it!
Later Da Wayward Sailor
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- Last Day of Unhurricane Season
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 31 May 2011 14:36:09 EDT
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Whether the weather be fine, Whether the weather be not,
Whether the weather be cold, Whether the weather be hot, We'll whether the
weather, Whatever the weather, Whether we like it or not.
Last day of unhurricane season!![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/05)
Time to shop for hurricane supplies. Don't forget
the Rum! ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/04)
Typically islanders plan and prepare for a hurricane
about 12-24 hours before it is due to hit. Some never prepare.
Boaters on the other hand, tend to run and hide at the
mere mention of a possible storm. Having your boat survive is pretty important,
as typically you can live self-contained on a boat, after a storm, even if the
island is devastated.
The BVI has been lucky time and time again, to escape
major damages, however hurricane Luis and Marilyn of 95 made a big
mess of things. The USVI has not been so lucky.
Pray for good luck again this year. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/08)
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- (no subject)
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 30 May 2011 12:36:37 EDT
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Hot and breezy. Summer is here! ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/08)
Two more days of unhurricane season! Enjoy!
Four people were thrown from their boat during the Poker
Run (go fast boats!) but nobody hurt too badly.
Learn more about the BVI, includes recipes too. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/01)
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- Sunday and 86 degrees
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Sun, 29 May 2011 10:12:06 -0700 (PDT)
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Good Afternoon!
Yes, I know this Mermaid Gardener has been off the radar again. Well actually, just like all mermaids this one needs to get away from it all and go back to sea for a bit. Was under the weather for a bit along with my mermaid tail was needing some salt water and sun to get the rainbow colors that it normally has so I've been in the ocean enjoying the warming waters. Recovering and feeling much better. My mermaid tail has all it's vibrant colors back.
Hope to report more in the upcoming days.
Cheers!
The Mermaid Gardener
Our current temperture in Tortola is at 86 degrees and our chances of rain are a slim 20%. We could still use more rain to keep on filing up those cisterns.
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- Still Unhurricane Season
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 23 May 2011 12:14:55 EDT
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Sunday it was misty with low visibility, but the seas calmed
down, as did the winds.
Monday it is steamy hot, with scattered clouds. I guess
the islands are drying out. The heat and humidity makes one feel wet, just
walking around! This is typical weather for September, not May. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/04)
Look how clear the waters are at Manchioneel Bay at Cooper
Island. Only 8 days left of unhurricane season.
While GPS is wonderful, nothing beat an old fashioned printed
chart of the Virgin Islands.
Not only is this chart of the Virgin Islands accurate for
navigation, it makes a great souvenir. The really cool thing is, the chart is
printed at the time of the order, ensuring the most up-to-date information. More
details here.
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- Muggy and cloudy
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- By Da Wayward Sailor <dawaywardsailor at aol.com>
- Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 13:30:53 -0400 (EDT)
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Not much sun and more chance for some showers 70% chance, but low accumulations. Heat index in mid and upper 90's for next few days in part to to lack of any significant breeze. Winds when they occur are from the South and Southeast but typically under 7 knots. Probably mostly a motor sail day at best. Monday should bring low chance for rain and a bit more sun but still mostly cloudy. Friends in off Peter Island indicate it has been really wet!
Here in St. Maarten it was also misty early in the AM yesterday but the sun almost came out last night and we did have a decent sunset over the Lagoon.
We had some rain just like BVI up a bit from us.... but like many BVI'ers and BVI lovers, we also hit the roads and went places. A good friend and I hit Marigot on the French side of St. Marten. Others had told us of a place called Sarifina's and we looked it up.
![omg sara.jpg omg sara.jpg](jpgtP7ymL4OW9.jpg) We saw......
![omg sara4.jpg omg sara4.jpg](jpg6YSM0pMvGV.jpg) We HAD to EAT!!!!!!!!!
After we finished this Bananaquit(Coerebra Flaveola) ![8-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/cool.png) figured he would help clean up
![IMG_2553.JPG IMG_2553.JPG](jpgnN8C9N8Evp.jpg) He scooped up some sugar several times and flew away... no wonder they are so hyper ![;-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/wink.png)
Later da watching his waist sailor...
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- Duck!
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 21 May 2011 09:25:44 EDT
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Duck weather...
So much rain the ducks love it, and so much rain you duck for
cover! This weather qwacks me up. If you're driving near
the cliffs, don't! (Duck from the falling, sliding rocks and
mud!)
Total cloud cover, lots of wind and rain. Most unusual for the
islands.
Flash flooding, roads are not only wet, but just saturated.
Rocks sliding down the cliffs and it's not a good day for swimming in the sea,
but you can probably swim in places on the island. Most people are staying
off the roads. Getting stranded in this mess, away from home, might not be
any fun at all.
Don't forget to open up your closets and aim the fans at them,
mildew is bound to be a problem soon. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/05)
Tortola is now sporting waterfalls in the mountains. Cloud
cover is so low, it's like living in a fog in the higher hills.
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- Wet...WET and more Wet
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- By Da Wayward Sailor <dawaywardsailor at aol.com>
- Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 13:31:07 -0400 (EDT)
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Wet day and wet night. Today Tortola is suppose to get about 2.5 inches of rain. Look at the radar!!
Looks like everyone is getting all the rain they can use and many are getting far more than they can handle in such a short time and flooding is assured in many areas. Hopefully those that often have the problem have taken appropriate moves to reduce the impact. I'm sure a brown water coloration will hang in the bays for a day or two with this much rain.
Here in St. Maarten the rains are near continuous but far lighter... mostly an ongoing mist. Just hard enough to keep one from opening the hatches on the boat resulting in a steamy boat unless you can run the fans to keep the air fresh and a bit dryer. I hear thunder nearby and we expect to have another night of rain mist but hope for a bit of sunshine Saturday as I want to make a run into Phillipsburg to do a bit of shopping with a good friend who is old and presently a bit ill. ![;-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/wink.png) Well she is not actually OLD just feeling a BIT under the weather may be a pirate bit her??? Probably on an silver bird that carries people in its belly???? Ships are by far safer and pass less germs! ![:](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/cry.png)
Latter... a wet wayward sailor.... OOhhhhHhhhoooo is it ever coming down now..... may have to have another beer! ![:-D](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/grin.png)
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- Drying Out in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 10:25:19 EDT
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After hard rains, waterfalls appear in the BVI where you least
expect them.
It rained most of the night, but today it is clearing up and
windy. Time to fix your boat leaks and hoist the sails. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/08)
Mosquitos in certain areas are horrendous. My friends in West
End reported they were being eaten alive. Mosquitos will breed in any
standing fresh water.
What a cute ad, you gotta love dat band name...
Next weekend is the BVI Music Festival and Foxys Wooden Boat
Regatta. I like them both, but being a sailor and boat lover, I am super partial
to the Wooden Boat Regatta. I had perfect attendance there for two decades. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/08)
Warm and Drippy Regards,
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- Sun with showers in da islands
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- By Da Wayward Sailor <dawaywardsailor at aol.com>
- Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 13:16:53 -0400 (EDT)
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Still having a good chance of some rain in the BVI , USVI, PR and the Leewards over the next few days. Winds will swing from East to East Northeast and East Southeast and generally be under 17 knots but you can expect higher in the small storm cells passing through the area. Estimates of accumulations vary but what falls will generally be good news for most people. Still looks like the Leeward's will get more than BVI but PR seems to be getting LOTS ![8-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/cool.png)
Seas are generally under 5 feet in costal areas and about 7 offshore in the area at this time. Looks to be a great boating week and with ample opportunity for a few deck showers with free water.... but remember to have a reserve water supply as by the time I typically can get out and soaped up... da rain stops!! What to do.. oh what to do??? ![:](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/cry.png) Well you jump into the water for a quick de-soaping and then a fast fresh water rinse off ![:-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/smile.png) EERRRRrrr remember to lower the swim ladder BEFORE you jump in, particularity if you be da last person aboard ![:-!](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/foot.png) .
I had a nice rain shower as I was cooking up my coffee and an English Muffin this AM but now it is sunny and getting warm.
![18may.jpg 18may.jpg](jpg9S6BUZ392L.jpg) Looks to be clearing up over the next few days.
Have a full day of attempting to find places to pack away all the "stuff" I had to pull out to get some of my boat jobs done over this past couple of weeks. Problem is some of this "stuff" does not seem to know where it belongs ![:-!](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/foot.png) . Now I have to figure out a good safe place to put it where I can find it again. Think of this as packing a large suitcase or sail bag with 50% more stuff than will fit in it. ![:-[](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/shame.png) . Well that is what us cruisers have to live with and why it is such a problem when we have little jobs to do. The pulling out the needed items and replacing them after using them, generally takes twice or more time than the actual job does.........honest ![O:-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/halo.png)
Gotta get to work.... or maybe a cool drink o water then work???
Later da Wayward Sailor
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- Weather's a changing
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 05:35:18 -0700 (PDT)
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Good
Morning
Had numerous small squalls
last night. No wind but sometime late into the night the wind picked up
and has shifted just slightly. The rainy weather that we have been
experiencing looks as if it's breaking apart a little. The clouds are not
nearly as thick as they have been. Radar shows that we are on the
outskirts of the rainy weather now.
Yesterday when I was driving
back from meeting up with friends for lunch I saw an interesting sight. (I've attached a picture for you to look at.) It was a small plot of
land that is maintained by the Department of Transportation....LOL (don't think
we have one) at least I've never seen any trucks with a logo saying that they
were from the Department of Transportation. The plot was planted very
nicely and it even had a business advertisement sign in the plot. I've not
seen this before here on the island. We have very few signs on the side of
the road. Nothing like in the states...you never see...."garage sale here"
or "Estate sale" signage. So this little plot of land and signage is
unusual. Nice planting though!!! I like to see the island
clean!! ![Red rose emoticon Red rose emoticon](gif1eyNQqu4Rc.gif)
Temperature is 81 degrees
and there is a squall that is right on my front door step....need to run and
close some sliding glass doors! ![Stormy emoticon Stormy emoticon](gif1KAB9PSQzC.gif)
Happy
Wednesday!
the Mermaid
Gardener
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- Rainy Moonless night
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 15:56:27 -0700 (PDT)
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Good
Evening
It's been raining off an on
most of the day. Did work really hard on my chore list this morning and
then took a nice break to go visit a friend who just has shoulder surgery.
She is an inspiration. It's been just one week and she is working towards
becoming a left hander, just like myself, since it was her right shoulder that
needed the surgery. She is doing everything pretty well for being a new
left hander. I had stopped up at the French Deli and picked up a couple of
sandwiches to go. Met up with my friends and we enjoyed the sandwiches
out on her balcony sipped wine while chatting.
I knew that I couldn't
spend the entire afternoon there even though that would have been nice but my
chores were calling me. Ended up driving through hit and miss showers all
the way back up to east end area. Since I got back home it's continued
this pattern of rain off an on all afternoon. So much for any type of sun bathing out by the
pool. It's raining now and I hear it splashing on the solar blanket of the
pool. No worries for me as far as the rain, even though I'm searing a
lovely piece of tuna on the grill. Nothing like running out in the rain to flip the tuna!!
Here in the BVI we will not be able to see the full
moon tonight it's like pea soup out there with misty rainy clouds. However,
last night I caught a near full moon right after a big rain shower that included
thunder and lighting.![Lightning emoticon Lightning emoticon](gif2N57VYMbIc.gif)
I'm going to head out and
flip my tuna on the grill and hope that it lands right side up in the
grill!!!! ![Smile with tongue out emoticon Smile with tongue out emoticon](gifh85cFrp2MC.gif)
Catch ya when the sun
rises!
Drippy rain drop
cheers!
the Mermaid
Gardener
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- Chance of more rain but some sun will fall on us to
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- By Da Wayward Sailor <dawaywardsailor at aol.com>
- Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 13:18:22 -0400 (EDT)
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BVI will have winds of 9 to 14 knots for most of the remainder of the week. Some minor direction changes will occur from the Southeast to East and occasionally back toward the East Southeast. Seas between 2 and 4 feet are expected. Good chance of more rain for several days and some clouds will cross overhead but some sun should heat things up. Temps will be in the mid 80's with heat index in low 90's Yep a tad muggy ![:-\](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/indecision.png) Actually this is less rain than I had expected to see forecast for BVI. Here in my present location on St. Maarten, we seem to be looking at double what BVI is forecast to get ![8-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/cool.png) . I know it is HOT here when the sun is out and the winds drop. ![:-\](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/indecision.png) Did find a good buy on a fan that was not 220v and that helps!
Many of you will recall the photos I've posted of my fav Iguana from Penn's Landing in East End Tortola. Often called Grand Paw because he is big. Well, last evening along the pier here at Lagoon Marina in St. Maarten, I noticed this fellow taking in a bit of the limited sun we were having.... think he was warming up for a night out on the town... maybe having a few drinks with friends, eat a few flowers, try not to get run over by cars as they lay on the roads to warm up. After all it is a FULL Moon tonight ![:-D](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/grin.png) .
Several people gathered, some never have seen an iguana but a couple of those that did, wondered how he got on the Dink in the water... "they can't swim can they???" EeeRrr.... Yep they are really great swimmers and he got on top of the dink by hopping out of the water and climbing up I told them..... NO Way!!!!!! they said. The dink's tubes are about 20" out of the water I was informed.... BUT I knew ![8-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/cool.png) and today my visitor came back to the same dink and hoped up and grabbed the aft hand grip and climbed aboard for a nice dry out and sun soak to warm up!
A quick kick of that large tail and he is up to the handle and these things to have large toe nails!! Would not want one climbing up my leg!
Well back to boat work. Ran a new spinnaker halyard yesterday, not that I use a spinnaker but nice to have a spare line to lift the dink or a MOB?![:-!](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/foot.png)
Not sure how to do that single handed...............
Today, I'm working at learning how to make an Eye Splice in double braided 8mm line for my traveler. Need about 20 feet, bought 30 ... well I expect to have a learning curve. Had to spend almost $75 to get the two tools I needed.... actually had to buy the last kit Island Water World had. I could buy one in the US for about $25 then spend $50 to $70 to ship it down and be delayed 4 or 5 days to get it..... guess it isn't too much after all. Who knows, once I become proficient in doing splices I may even earn enough to pay for it . The charge $30 per splice here in the shop and $30 plus travel time and work time at $75.00 to do them on site. This one has to be done on site as I can not get one pulley off the traveler and will have to do the splice in place![:-[](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/shame.png)
When the Sun goes down a bit or if we get some cool clouds come by, I have a bit of power sanding work to do to make the windless fit the hatch a little better. Need to sand off about 1/8 inch of an edge that is about 3 inches long. Not a hard job.... in the shade... but in the sun would cost me a 6 pack of Red Stripe!!!!
Later Wayward
![U talkin bout me.jpg U talkin bout me.jpg](jpgumC5qGEOQJ.jpg) You talking about me???
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- Should have some wet and windy adventures today in BVI
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- By Da Wayward Sailor <dawaywardsailor at aol.com>
- Date: Mon, 16 May 2011 06:52:13 -0400 (EDT)
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Winds should run between 16 and 22 knots today from the Southeast again. This should be changing more to the East this evening and most of the remainder of the week the more typical Eastern winds seem to be returning. At least a 40% chance of rain thru Friday but not as much accumulation as we had over the weekend. Some Thunder Storm activity should be expected. Looks like the Leewards will get more rain as we now have forecast about a 70% chance with accumulations of an inch or so over the remainder of this week. MMmmm Funny how just a few miles... well about 80 can make so much difference. The Leewards have received a good amount, even more than typical while BVI has been in a Dry Spell.
The majority of the rain has passed BVI but the Leewards, where I am now located is looking a .... well a LOT more rain.
I took a walk Sunday AM in a light mist. Was not bad at all and got a nice walk in that was not hot and sweaty ![:-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/smile.png)
Have a few task to accomplish here today before I have a friend join me for a while. Most of these task need to be done before I can make plans to sail back to the BVI possibly next month, but am enjoying St. Maarten now.
Later, Wayward
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- Rain drops!!
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Mon, 16 May 2011 07:36:03 -0700 (PDT)
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Good
Morning,
Sorry to have been
AWOL for a little bit was off island but am now back on island, got my Golden
Retriever fix in.
Love the rain!!! I
can't get enough of it. Heard it pouring last night and what a welcome
sound. Woke this morning to cloudy overcast skies with intermittent
showers. I have to say that even since I've been gone the hillsides have
greened up quite a bit. There is still some brown spots here and there but
for the most part the islands plant life is happy. Even heard frogs
singing last night. Another one of those nature sounds that I love.
Have some errands to run into Road Town to take care of and will see if along
the way if there are any mud slides or wash outs.
That's one of the
hazards here is that we have rock slides especially after a bit of rain and
then more rain then come rock slides. Checked my cisterns this morning the water
level is starting to come up and that makes me so happy!
I worked in my
living room this morning while it was raining, on some minor redecorating...and
note to self..... In the Caribbean and any where else where the sun
bleaches the paint....do not touch up too much because then you have darker
spots on the wall!! Might have a bigger job to do than I started out with this
morning!! Must have flunked out of household
painting class 101!!! I did just fine in my watercolor 101
classes....but then again I never put my watercolor art work out in a sunny room
without UV glass on it...hint to Mermaid Gardener....it fades without the UV
protection!! Sometimes you just have to laugh at
yourself.
I think that today
will be a great day to do chores around my house. Have that list I keep
writing about that I ignore. Yep I'll have to pull that out and take care
of a few things! It will be a couple of showers kind of day, now that I
have water!!! Gee the little tings in life really boost our spirits!!
Enjoy your
day!
the Mermaid
Gardener
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Rain drops!! Life is good
today! |
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Morning skies heavy with
rain! |
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Dark and gloomy but great day to work on
chores! |
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- Rough Weather Ahead
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 15 May 2011 18:56:25 EDT
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Almost dark thirty in the warm islands. Unsettled weather is
starting to set in as a wet and unstable air mass moves in for a few days. Could
be flooding and mud slides. May want to stock up on your hurricane supplies now,
use them in the event of flooding, that's better than being out on the roads
during unpredictable weather.
The BVI Beacon PHOTO CONTEST — The BVI Beacon is holding a
photo contest under the theme: Boats. The photos must be of boats in the BVI.
The photo with the most “Likes” on Facebook will win a day trip for two on White
Squall II. Each person is allowed to enter three photos, which can be posted to
the Beacon’s Facebook page or e-mailed to bvibeacn at surfbvi.com. The
deadline to submit a photo is June 9. The top ten photos will then be put to a
final vote, with the winner being announced on June 17. Beaconites, former
Beaconites and their family members can contribute photos, but they are not
eligible to win. Good luck!
That sounds like fun! Calling all shutterbugs, enter
your BVI Boat pics today!
Did you know that you can get
sunscreen in a pill now? Hey, that's a lot easier than trying to
slather that stuff on your back by yourself.
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- sorry forgot to add the photo of Lagoonies!
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- By Da Wayward Sailor <dawaywardsailor at aol.com>
- Date: Sun, 15 May 2011 11:27:06 -0400 (EDT)
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- Higher Winds... again?
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- By Da Wayward Sailor <dawaywardsailor at aol.com>
- Date: Sun, 15 May 2011 11:23:26 -0400 (EDT)
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Southeast winds 12 to 17 knots today around the BVI with a drop in early evening then increasing after midnight. Next few days should see winds 18 to 24 knots with seas 4 to 5 feet until mid week. Winds and seas should diminish as they clock back to the East by mid week with winds 12 to 16 knots and seas 3 to 5 feet. Temps are a muggy 84 feeling like 91 with a 90% chance of rain today. Looks to have the opportunity for more than a half inch of rain today! This will make most people happy but it will also cause some flooding in areas which always flood when we get a heavy shower. The island needs the water. Hills look to be turning a bit more green from reports I get and the on island web sites I'm looking at. I know several people who will get a chance to not have hundred of dollars worth of water tanked into their cisterns for a bit.
I'm in St Maarten for a visit and it rained just a bit over night but we had several hours of continuous rain on Saturday. It made the mosquitoes jump with joy.... but not me. Most I've seen here are those with the white and black ringed legs........ Not a good thing! ![:-\](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/indecision.png) I've requested another full bottlel of Avon Skin So Soft ![:-D](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/grin.png) . EEeerrr No.... I'm not going to give those darn skitters a nice relaxing bath... Nor am I going to find a tub and take one.... But it does sound like it would be nice. I know many of you have known of the "reports" of how SSS works as a mosquito repellant... I recall learning of it back in... Well let us just say a very long time ago ![:-X](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/bigkiss.png) . Think my Mom forced us it use it in Panama City, Florida in the fall visits when they were out big time. As a kid I hated the stuff. Well live and learn. Earlier this year on Tortola it was reintroduced to me. I have a great friend who mosquitoes do not like... as long as I'm around her. I accuse her of sending "her" girl friends to eat me alive. Only the female mosquitoes bite! ![=-O](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/shock.png) Friends at Trellis Bay told us, swore to us that SSS mixed with a bit of water (so it spreads easy) keeps them away with out the yuck feel of the perfume o' da island... OFF smell and gooiey feel. SSS and a bit of water does not leave you feeling like a greased pig, it sinks in and the mosquitoes do not bite and when used at night, you don't have to change the sheets every night the way you feel like doing when you use OFF.
Here in St. Maarten, I'm located at Lagoon Marina in between Island Water World and Budget Marine.. GEEeeeZZZzz it is like being able to walk a block to the two best Christmas Toy Stores in da World!!!!! Actually I'm at Lagoonies Bay and Cafe'... which is closed today.. Sunday but they leave their WIFI on and they always have a few cruisers hanging around any day... open or closed. They do have very good food and cold beer... but they do not carry Red Stripe.... the inhumanity of it ![:-!](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/foot.png) . Have to settle for a Carib or Presidente but today since they are closed I just walk to the drive way enterance and cross the street to a Chinese bodega an get a cold one for my coozy and I can come back and surf da net in company of other sailors. Reminds me of the way Trellis Bay was a few years ago. Always good friends around any time of the day and most of the night.
Got my windless work done, and 75% complete in getting all the "stuff" back in place. Now the decision is what is the next project and what has to be moved where to get "IT" done. Think it is a couple of line replacements... gotta find the right boat spec book and figure out the correct lengts to buy. Next will be replacement of the Auto Helm control head then test it.... lots of if's in that job!
Good news is by this time next week I'll have company on da boat and will spend more time out and about on St. Maarten and St. Marten.... maybe a few beach days and a flight through the tops of trees on a Zip Line? Then maybe a sail to either St. Barts or Anguilla? Decisions, Decisions... MMmmm this is some time like work.... but Not Often ![;-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/wink.png)
Later Da Wayward Sailor, playing in St. Maarten for a bit. Soon to return to BVI.
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- nice rain
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- By Da Wayward Sailor <dawaywardsailor at aol.com>
- Date: Sat, 14 May 2011 15:37:21 -0400 (EDT)
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Looks like most of the Eastern Caribbean got some needed rain over the past couple of days and has a good chance for a bit more. Good news for the dry spring in the BVI. I'm now in St. Maarten and we had a very nice 3 hour rain, not too hard but just about right. Wish I could have used it to fill my water tanks on da boat but the decks are still to messy to collect it.... I'll fix that later today!
Here is a Sat photo of what was heading our way and one of what il looks like now.
You can see what a nice opportunity we had and what many locations needed ![:-)](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/smile.png)
Winds are generally under 12 knots and seas under 6 feet for the next few days in BVI and da Leeward's where I am now in Cole Bay St. Maarten.
Looking forward to a boaters flea market at Lagoon Marina later this AM. A small one by a fellow who has sold his boat and disposing of much of the accumulated "stuff" was fun on Friday. I picked up...EeeeRRrr I also PAID for it.... a "long distance WIFI" adapter. Not sure how LONG it is but is sure makes a LOT of difference when you are just at the fringe of coverage such as I was. Was able to talk on Skype last night with almost phone quality signal. Sorry, this is a unique hand built model but uses the ALFA card as its base and inside a waterproof container with a waterproof antenna. Love the thing. Several similar units are "commercially" made including one called The Wirie which is produced by a cruiser now here in St. Maarten but can be purchased via internet. Know several people who have it and like it. It is a good bit more expensive than what I paid.... $250 vs $45 but mine was a special occurrence of being where I was when it became available and needed a bit of Driver hunting to work.
I am now Windless enabled! Yep, got my anchor windless installed and although I did the wiring myself... it worked! I did have help with the mechanical installation, as it was not an exact fit to the one that was removed. Now a few lines to replace.... MMmmm going to have to get a really good knots book for replacing the Boom Traveler lines as I need an I splice of a braided line....... at least I recently got a Crew knife that has a tool to help me in the job but I think I'll get a much longer line than needed incase I have to lob off a few attempts! ![:-!](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/foot.png)
Will be heading back to BVI in late June or early July but having fun here in the Leeward's for now.
Later Wayward
|
- Cloudy and drizzley
|
- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Fri, 13 May 2011 07:20:47 -0700 (PDT)
|
Good Morning,
Today is a cloudy and misty kind of
day. A great day to stay inside and read a good book or do some art
work. No complaints here. Here's a picture of the radar showing the
rain that is all around us. We have 77 degrees right now and are looking
at maybe getting up as high as 84 degrees. Our chance of rain is
90%!! Yippee! ![](http://mail.yimg.com/a/i/mesg/tsmileys2/04.gif)
My flowers love it and plants love it!! Light
winds so that this means this weather could move out real slow and give us more
precipitation. It will probably take a few days before all the hillsides
green up again. Sure will be nice to see the island looking greener.
We've had such a dry spell that I miss the color of green. I don't mind
not mowing the grass but do miss the hillsides looking
green.![](http://mail.yimg.com/a/i/mesg/tsmileys2/47.gif)
Rainy Cheers!
the Mermaid Gardener
|
- No Sahara dust on the horizon..
|
- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Thu, 12 May 2011 13:46:08 -0700 (PDT)
|
Good afternoon!
Had a friend advised me that in "US Today"
newspaper May 12, 2011 the front page has an article on Sahara Dust that the
troops have been breathing in while on duty.
Sahara dust has always been this unknown thing in
the states or at least up north and it seems that finally it is getting more publicity. We tend
to have Sahara dust in the BVI throughout the year. The University of
Wisconsin has a great site that shows the Sahara dust as it drifts away from
Africa over the water towards us.
Right now the BVI has mainly cloud cover and no
Sahara dust but it's worth keeping a check on it throughout the
year.
When I started to visit Tortola more often and
eventually bought a home here I started having asthma issues...I've never had
asthma before in my life. After some rigorous asthma tests back up in
the northland. I spoke to my asthma specialist and asked him if he knew
anything about Sahara dust asthma....he said no didn't know anything about
it. I had printed out "Caribbean Sahara dust asthma" information
that I dug up on the internet and kindly presented it to him. Mainly, it
was the findings of down island doctor's and their patients who
suffered from periodic asthma when Sahara dust was present. My asthma
doctor was embarrassed and grateful. He basically shrugged his shoulders and
gave me an inhaler for when the Sahara dust asthma was bad. So, whenever
it is severe in Tortola I have my handy inhaler in my purse just in case. I'm thinking though a good Rum beverage is always a great way to forget that you are having a
difficult time breathing.
Cough Cough! Pass the Rum...just
forget about that inhaler!
the Mermaid Gardener
|
- Wish you were here in the Virgin Islands
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 12 May 2011 13:37:20 EDT
|
These two pictures clearly show how quick the weather changes
from island to island in the same day. Those spring showers are a welcome for
topping up cisterns, watering the gardens, making things grow and
beautiful! ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/08)
This is still unhurricane season, so all is safe. Go to the
beach and relax.
Have some rum. Painkillers are a great option.
***A painkiller has rum, pineapple juice, orange juice,
coconut cream, more rum and a sprinkle of fresh ground nutmeg on top.
They go down really well! ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/04)
|
|
- Hump Day in the Virgin Islands
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 10:46:53 EDT
|
Some folks refer to Wednesday at Hump Day. It's the
middle of the week. I guess that makes it a hump.
Scattered showers. Those are the types that pour down
rain right after you've set everything up just so at the beach. By the time you
grab all your stuff, run for the car to go home, the sun is out again. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/16)
I wonder if they can fit more ferry boats at the dock. For
20-30 years, they've talked about moving the ferry dock. It's located
right on the beach in Cruz Bay, St John.
Below, view of the Sir Francis Drake Channel from Nanny Cay,
Tortola.
Did you know that at Nanny Cay, there are actually two
cays? The other one is named Peg Leg Cay. So is the bar there. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/02)
Review from Geri, posted on Amazon:
I read
Hurricanes and Hangovers by Dear Miss Mermaid
and laughed myself
silly. Having spent 2 months in the Caribbean, this book brought back all
those memories about the quirky Caribbean life style. Her humerous stories are
right on with the slow moving, life is what it is Caribbean mindset. If you
have visited or lived in the Caribbean, this book is a must. It will bring
back that special time in your life. If you haven't been to the Caribbean,
reading this book will give you a greater understanding of what life is like
in this different culture --- and it will make you want one of those islands
to be your next vacation destination. Welcome to the
Caribbean.
Warm and Blushing
Regards,
|
|
- Dark and stormy in the BVI
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 10 May 2011 11:31:59 EDT
|
You can see the dark rain clouds here marching down the Sir
Francis Drake channel. This will make the islands nice and green for the spring.
![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/08)
Here's a bit of trivia. In the 80's a remake of the The
Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway, was filmed in the BVI at
Smugglers Cove Beach. Bob who owned 2/3's of the beach plus the old hotel
and bar, passed away around 2002. Until his death, he still had movie relics at
the bar, including the old fish (fake) used in the filming.
|
|
- No rain yesterday maybe today?
|
- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Tue, 10 May 2011 07:52:12 -0700 (PDT)
|
Good morning to all!
So take your best guess! Where in the BVI am
I? I know not much of any hints in the picture but maybe you will be able
to figure it out!!!![](http://mail.yimg.com/a/i/mesg/tsmileys2/04.gif)
Today we have again partly cloudy skies with 80
degrees and winds are light out of the north at 2mph. But it appears that
we could get some rain today there's about a 40% chance of rain. I'll keep
my fingers and toes crossed on the chance that we might get some
rain.
Have a great afternoon!
the Mermaid Gardener![](http://mail.yimg.com/a/i/mesg/tsmileys2/03.gif)
|
- A terrific Monday in the BVI
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Mon, 9 May 2011 14:42:18 EDT
|
|
- Show me some rain!
|
- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Mon, 9 May 2011 08:55:04 -0700 (PDT)
|
Good Morning!
Sure hope that we see some rain this week. I
know I'm whining about rain but the islands could really use some.![](http://mail.yimg.com/a/i/mesg/tsmileys2/01.gif) I checked the
radar and there seems to be some large cells over by St. Croix but the do not
seem to be moving our way. Here's the forecast for the next few
days. Looks as if it today is our best chance of any rain. Our
chances weaken as the week goes by!
Monday
![chancetstorms](http://icons-ecast.wxug.com/i/c/k/chancetstorms.gif) |
Chance of a Thunderstorm. Partly Cloudy. High: 84 °F.
Wind ENE 9 - 12 mph. 60% chance of precipitation (water equivalent of 0.03
in). Heat Index: 89 °F. |
Monday Night
![mostlycloudy](http://icons-ecast.wxug.com/i/c/k/nt_mostlycloudy.gif) |
Mostly Cloudy. Low: 77 °F. Wind ENE 6 - 10 mph.
|
Tuesday
![chancetstorms](http://icons-ecast.wxug.com/i/c/k/chancetstorms.gif) |
Chance of a Thunderstorm. Partly Cloudy. High: 84 °F.
Wind SSW 3 mph. 40% chance of precipitation (water equivalent of 0.03 in).
Heat Index: 89 °F. |
Tuesday Night
![chancetstorms](http://icons-ecast.wxug.com/i/c/k/nt_chancetstorms.gif) |
Chance of a Thunderstorm. Partly Cloudy. Low: 77 °F.
Wind ESE 7 - 10 mph. 30% chance of precipitation (water equivalent of 0.04
in). |
Wednesday
![mostlycloudy](http://icons-ecast.wxug.com/i/c/k/mostlycloudy.gif) |
Mostly Cloudy. High: 86 °F. Wind South 4 mph. Heat
Index: 92 °F. |
Wednesday Night
![chancetstorms](http://icons-ecast.wxug.com/i/c/k/nt_chancetstorms.gif) |
Chance of a Thunderstorm. Overcast. Low: 77 °F. Wind SE
7 mph. 20% chance of precipitation (water equivalent of 0.04 in).
|
Thursday
![mostlycloudy](http://icons-ecast.wxug.com/i/c/k/mostlycloudy.gif) |
Mostly Cloudy. High: 84 °F. Wind East 4 - 9 mph. 20%
chance of precipitation (water equivalent of 0.03 in). Heat Index: 87 °F.
|
You can see the mass of clouds that are to the
east of Puerto Rico. I'll keep hoping that this messy stuff will work it's
way up to us. It's currently 84 degrees and the wind is out of the
East at 8 mph.
I think it will be a great day to pick up a good
book or maybe start some of those chores I've been
putting off!!!![](http://mail.yimg.com/a/i/mesg/tsmileys2/04.gif)
Cheers!
the Mermaid
Gardener
![GIF image](gifTt6l2GGqVA.gif)
![GIF image](gifDvEMUiRcru.gif)
![GIF image](gifSlIurbxM78.gif)
![GIF image](gifHAlT7z2SR2.gif)
|
- Mothers Day wishes!
|
- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Sun, 8 May 2011 06:38:32 -0700 (PDT)
|
Happy Mothers Day!
Our temperature is 81 degrees and winds are out
of the east at 8 Mph. Skies are a bit more overcast and the forecast is
for 70 percent chance of rain on Monday night. I know that all the plants
would love a good drink!
Today is Mothers day and I'd like to wish all the
Mothers who read StormCarib a very Happy Mothers
day!!
Saw this cute baby and Mom over by the
Agriculture department and snapped a quick photo before they ran away for
cover! We have numerous sheep, goats and chickens that are free
range. I'm sure that most of them belong to someone on the island but
there are those that are wild and roam where they wish. I always
smile and laugh when I go past a group of sheep, for some reason their
goofy floppy ears remind me of a golden retriever that is dear to my
heart.
Part of the allure I find in Tortola is the free
range livestock that walk up and down East End area. I think it's
charming that we have free range cows that walk along the road paying just
a little attention to the cars driving by while munching on the grass. I
also enjoy seeing the sheep being rounded up at the end of the day in East
End. The owner of the sheep comes down to the main road and those
sheep know he's calling them home for the night. They following him
and run like crazy back to their home it's like a stampede!
The next
day they are out munching on grass or hanging out in the shade just limin in
East End.
Have a great day!
the Mermaid Gardener
|
- Day at the beach in the Virgin Islands
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sat, 7 May 2011 14:58:01 EDT
|
Just another Saturday at the beach... Don't you just
love that cool clear Caribbean blue water.
So far it's a great May month in the BVI, officially an
unhurricane month, thank goodness.
Weather is predicted to be sunny and mild with the occasional
rain shower to spit out briefly now and then. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/08)
|
|
- Sunny Saturday!
|
- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Sat, 7 May 2011 10:25:10 -0700 (PDT)
|
Good afternoon on this sunny
afternoon!!
Scattered clouds today and a temperature of 86
degree's! Nice! Winds are out of the northeast at 9 mph. Could use more
rain in da rain bucket and cisterns will hope that soon it will shower on
us. The extended forecast looks like we could have some precipitation this
week. The weather man is saying possible chance of
thundershowers!! Let's hope!
I be limin this weekend! Maybe even hit the
beach!![](http://mail.yimg.com/a/i/mesg/tsmileys2/04.gif)
Cheers!
the Mermaid Gardener![](http://mail.yimg.com/a/i/mesg/tsmileys2/14.gif)
|
- (no subject)
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 6 May 2011 12:41:32 EDT
|
A bit overcast, chance of scattered showers (no doubt!) but
just a warm springy day in the Virgin Islands.
I'm trying to whisper, so that those of you with Cinco de
Mayo hangovers, don't get a headache...![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/04)
Here's the chance for all of you athletes to spend a fun day
swimming the sound! ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/02)
|
|
- Sunny and Fluffy
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 10:35:36 EDT
|
Today it's sunny with a light breeze and fluffy clouds.
Cinco de Mayo is at Jolly Roger in West End
tonight. Put on your sombrero, brush up on your Spanish, hop on your donkey
and get ready for some Tequila (AKA... tah-kill-yah ) and guacamole.
If you're chopping up your avocado to make
guacamole, slice it neatly in half, cutting in a circular motion around
the pit. Gently twist the two halves to open up the avocado. If you are
not using the entire avocado, leave the pit attached to the rest of the avocado,
wrap in plastic, store in the fridge. The pit will keep the rest of the avocado
from turning brown.
While mixing up your guacamole, use a squirt of lemon or
lime juice, mixed in thoroughly, to keep it bright green. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/01)
You can also chop or slice the avocado, then plunge it
into a small bowl of water with juice of a lemon or lime, then remove. This will
keep the avocado green for salads and sandwiches.
In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated the 5th of May
(hey that's today!) It's a celebration of their victory over French
forces in 1862.
In Tortola that means... any excuse for a party will do!
![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/04)
Doesn't this picture just make you want to sail
away?
Warm and Funny Regards,
Dear Miss Mermaid
|
|
- Bright with puffy clouds
|
- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 06:29:53 -0700 (PDT)
|
Good Morning!
Skies are pretty, bright blue with
some puffy typical clouds that we have here in the Caribbean. It's
currently 84 degrees and our winds are out of the north at 12 mph. No real
rain storms on the horizon and so that means I'll have to check on my water
level in my cisterns again. Probably going to have to order more water.
I know I have talked about ordering
water before and some of you have asked about why order water when you can have
city water. Here on da island just like our power that comes and goes the
water too, comes and goes. So, you never know when city water will be on
and for how long. I have friends who live in Road Town and they
regularly are out of city water. Even on Good Friday, with folks
getting ready for the weekend they had no water. Now that seems to me to
be pretty sad that on Good Friday folks are without water. The other
situation that I've heard about is that when cruise ships are in Road Town they
take on water so that the rest of Road Town is dry for a while. We
have several more water plants that are suppose to up and running but I don't
know if they are running at 100% capacity. Although I have to say last
week when I was driving into Road Town I went by the Water and Sewer department
just east of Road Town, as I drove by all of a sudden there appeared to
be mud and water spewing up in the air right in front of the Water and
Sewer department. I'm thinking my goodness the water plant must have
went to 100% capacity and blew out a line!!! That's exactly what
happened!! We are all hoping that with the new water plants coming on line that these days of off and on again water will all be in the past.
Tis life on da
island!
Enjoy your
day!
Cheers!
the Mermaid
Gardener
|
- Square boats
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Tue, 3 May 2011 09:41:47 EDT
|
Another gorgeous day in the sunny Virgin Islands. 82F
degrees with scattered clouds. You can expect a few quick rain showers to cool
you off, water the flowers and add to the cistern.
I remember when we used to shutter, as sailors, at the very
thought of "square boats" aka catamarans. We used to pontificate all the
reasons they would never be popular. Boy, were we ever wrong. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/05)
Now they are ubiquitous in the islands.
If you are homesick for the Virgin Islands, I have recently updated the
webcams page. The only problem is, these webcams are subject to work one
day, be down the next, then come back on again next week. Pretty much like the
utility service in the islands, here today, gone tomorrow, then back again.
|
|
- Cooper island web cam
|
- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Mon, 2 May 2011 10:15:35 -0700 (PDT)
|
Good
afternoon!
Temperature here is 86
degrees and the wind is out of the east south east. It's been a lovely
start to the week and I'm hopeful that maybe we will receive a little chance of
rain. They say 40% chance but we shall see the skies are overcast a little
but the sun keep peeking out. Winds are at 17 mph...check out the flag
from Cooper it's straight out!
I received a nice note from
a gentle reader and she informed me that the One Eyed Calico cat that I have
visiting me is a female. She said that calico cats are always
females! didn't know that! I've never had a cat before. I'm a golden
retriever kind of gal. I enjoy a big dog with a big left hook when I get
on the ground to play with her. So this dog lover has learned something
new.
Next I just have to figure out if I really want this kitty to hang
around or not since I come and go from the island. I guess I'll just see
how the tradewinds blow. Somedays I do see her other days she is no where
in sight. She is a healthy cat from the looks of it, not skinny or
anything so I'll maybe put out fish scraps only if I see her in my
courtyard. The problem with leaving food out like cat food or dog food is
that the roof rats also enjoy cat and dog food. I don't want any of those
guys hanging around.
Off to do some paperwork
this afternoon and will keep you posted on what's happening here on da
island!
Cheers!
the Mermaid
Gardener
|
- May Day!
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Sun, 1 May 2011 14:28:51 EDT
|
May day! May day! It's the 1st of May already and
the last month of unhurricane season. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/08)
This morning in West End, it was nice and blue, but has
darkened somewhat now.
|
|
- Hey there's that cat!
|
- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Sun, 1 May 2011 09:17:55 -0700 (PDT)
|
Good Sunday Morning!
Caught another glimpse of that one eyed cat!!
Here's a picture of it....can't get close enough to it to see if it's a
he or she! Sort of cute but defiantly a feral cat. I've asked a few
young friends to come up with a name for it, they emailed me their
suggestions. After a long deliberation I've decided that this "one
eyed calico" cat's name is KaNani (kaw NAWnee). I would like to day dream
that a cat with this kind of name has a long ancestral line
dating back to the time when the Arawak or Caribs (not the beer) were
around. That pirates and sailors exploring these islands had cats
onboard and the cats were let loose to help with the rat population that was
brought on by the explorers having rats onboard their ships. . Well at
least that's the way I would like to think that this cat's ancestors may have
gotten here. Who knows it just like the short legged dogs that we have
here. They all have short legs....now what's with that?
FYI from the Web:
In the Caribbean, mongoose were introduced for rat control, but again
the rats continue to proliferate while nontarget species suffer. Other
introduced species that have caused major ecological damage across the world
include invasive terrestrial plants, such as kudzu and purple loosestrife;
toads, such as Bufo marinus; cats and goats, introduced for rat control
and agriculture, that quickly gained the designation of "feral" in their new
environments; and everything in-between.
Have a great Sunday!
Cheers!
the Mermaid Gardener
|
- Saturday time to lim at the beach!
|
- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2011 08:11:03 -0700 (PDT)
|
Good Morning
It's currently
88 degrees and feeling wonderful! It's a great day to lim away
the day at the beach. This is a picture from St. John don't you just
love the color of ocean floor!
Today: E wind 16
to 19 kt. Scattered showers, mainly after noon. Seas 1 ft or
less.
Tonight: ENE wind 16 to 20 kt. Scattered showers and
thunderstorms. Seas 1 ft or less.
Sunday: E wind 12 to 20 kt.
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could
produce heavy rainfall. Seas 1 ft or less.
Sunday Night: ENE wind
12 to 16 kt. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Seas 1 ft or less.
Have a great
afternoon!
Cheers!
the Mermaid
Gardener
|
- Another Good Friday
|
- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:42:01 EDT
|
32 days until hurricane season, but why worry about that when
the weather is so wonderful. Fresh trades winds are
on the way. Hoist the main! Sail away.
Even more good news!
|
|
- Hello from St. Maarten
|
- By Da Wayward Sailor <dawaywardsailor at aol.com>
- Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 12:29:01 -0400 (EDT)
|
Looks like we have more wind and seas here in St. Maarten than back home in the BVI..... that is sometimes a good thing but think I've had enough because I'm not using it to sail fast and rather be more calm aboard.
Have been here for more than a week but not having great success in getting internet going except for a few moments in a bar while I eat.... hard to post that way ![:-\](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/indecision.png) Had a wet and windy sail over from BVI but never any real problem... just a long trip. Took me about 14 hours in my small boat but she made it just fine. Anchored out side in Simpson Bay for all but the past two nights when it was a bit too much and moved into the Lagoon. Have been out and about some but many of the sites are still to be seen.
Having a bit of dink motor problems... actually not the motor but the prop seems to have the rubber seal slipping when I hit larger seas and she spins with out moving me in the water. As most stores on the Dutch side are closed for another 4 day holiday.... same as last weekend ![:-!](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/foot.png) , I'm on the French side getting laundry done and a new prop on the dink. Here are a few photos of some of the places I've visited already.
This is a view of Marigot on the French side from Fort St. Lewis.
View of Simpson Bay Beaches from my boat in the Bay. Note the Airport is just a short distance away. These larger aircraft seem to just clear the tops of 3 story buildings! ![:-!](http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/resources/core/images/foot.png)
Full moon over the hills as I set in Simpson Bay
More later when I get a better connection.
Hope all is well with my BVI peeps and will be returning in a month or so. Miss you all
Wayward
|
- Leapin Lizards
|
- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:37:25 -0700 (PDT)
|
Good Morning,
So this morning after enjoying the sun
rising over Beef Island I went into my Master suite and on the couch I found a
rather large lizard, alive. Now the ones that I've seen in my house have
been on the smaller side but this guy was a bit bigger. I'm not afraid to
catch these guys and put them outside to live where they should be living.
Tried to corner this guy and to my surprise I was able to grab him but the
critter went and bit me on the thumb. I said "Oww" and dropped the lizard.
It really didn't hurt but I was more shocked by the fact that he bit me! I
laughed and thought to myself I really need a cat to get rid of these little
critters in my house!! That one eyed cat might do the trick! But then again, having the cat eat the lizards would not be great since the lizards to a service themselves, like eating scorpions! I think we should all try to live in harmony but keep those roof rats away from my house!!!
Earlier in the week I was dwelling
upon getting a few chores down at my house and I came up with this list of
reasons not to chores:
Need to hunt down roof
rats
My art work is calling
me
Gee my friends want to get
together
Riteway is close by and I
need to pick up a few goodies
I feel sand between my
toes
Need to chase these free
range chickens out of my garden
Haven't seen the other end
of the island in a while
It's too
hot
It's too
breezy
The sun is out I'll wait
for a cloudy day
My tan is
fading
I will now add lizard hunter to the
list.
Have a great day, wish you where
here in the BVI.
Cheers!
the Mermaid
Gardener
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- Another great day in paradise
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:03:29 EDT
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It won't be long before the music festival will be in the
BVI.
This year, they have updated their webpage. Wow, that's
really on the ball for the BVI.
Fabulous weather, and the best part is, no major storms on the
horizon, just the typical clouds. ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/08)
Foxy will be having his famous Wooden Boat Regatta in May as
well.
Ah, Dear Miss Mermaid attended that regatta religiously for
two decades.
Hopefully, I will make it this year! ![](http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201d26594/01)
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- Am I in Kansas Dorthy?
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:23:34 -0700 (PDT)
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The wind began to switch - the house to pitch and suddenly the hinges started to unhitch.
Just then the Witch - to satisfy an itch went flying on her broomstick, thumbing for a hitch.
It sure feels like Kansas..... Dorthy! The wind here in the BVI is whipping up. We are at 17 mph this evening and it feels as if it is increasing! I looked over at Peter island this afternoon and there were huge waves pounding the south side of the island right over by the Dead Chest area! The wind is coming out of the south east and is creating fairly large waves in the channel. Saw many a boat head out of Maya Cove to turn right over into the cove area by Buck island. Not many boats out today, those that were going down wind made great time. Some of the cats were flying by me. Now now no real cats were flying by, but the kind out of fiberglass.
It's 80 degrees at 1100pm no complaints on my end but the wind could settle down anytime. From the looks of the marine
forecast we will be having these winds for 4 more days. If we are going to get any rain it's going to just fly right by us and not give us any substantial accumulation. Will keep my eye on the cats flying by and let you know if any of them are the calico cat that's been hanging around my house!!
Good night cheers the Mermaid Gardener
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- Winds Day in the BVI
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- By DearMissMermaid at aol.com
- Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:43:23 EDT
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No storms on the horizon. Just gorgeous weather.
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- Busy Easter day for accidents!
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 04:03:40 -0700 (PDT)
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Good morning,
Here's the marine forecast for the next few days! Windy! The winds are way up I'm sure that I'm feeling 21 knots up here on the hillside.
Do not see any birds nor would I want to try to fly a kite in this kind of
wind.
TODAY MAINLY EAST WINDS 18 TO 21 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 7 FEET. SCATTERED SHOWERS.
TONIGHT EAST WINDS 18 TO 21 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 7 FEET. SCATTERED SHOWERS. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
THURSDAY EAST WINDS 16 TO 21 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 7 FEET. SCATTERED SHOWERS. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING.
THURSDAY NIGHT EAST NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 7 FEET. SCATTERED SHOWERS.
FRIDAY EAST NORTHEAST WINDS 13 TO 18 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 6 FEET. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
Checked out the news on BVI Newsonline and found these stories:
Police report a busy Easter Saturday (April 23) as they responded to both a boating and plane accident. Just
after 2:00pm, Virgin Gorda Police Officers attended the scene of a
plane crash at the Virgin Gorda Airport where the pilot and sole
occupant of a twin engine aircraft belonging to Island Birds reported
that he had trouble with the landing gear. The pilot stated that
after touching down on the airport runway, the left wheel retracted
causing the plane to veer off the runway and damaging the left wing. No
injuries were sustained in the incident. Later that evening
around 11:40pm, officers of the East End Police Station and Police
Marine Branch were called to a scene in the Trellis Bay area where an
inflatable dinghy was found burnt and its occupants suffering from
injuries. Initial inquiries indicate that the captain of the
vessel, Lion Share, a 130ft vessel anchored off Scrub Island, was
steering the tender with three crew members when it struck rocks on the
northern end of the Terrance B. Lettsome Airport runway throwing two
of the occupants in the sea. A warning flare, released by one of the occupants of the boat, fell back into the boat and caused an explosion and fire. The boat was destroyed. Three of the four were treated at Peebles Hospital and later discharged. Police continue to investigate both incidences.
Our police force did not have a quiet Easter!! It's very interesting about the flare gun and the flare falling back in the boat.....I don't know all the details but my first thought is which way is the wind blowing and is there a jet or plane taking off? Just my humble take on it.
Cheers! the Mermaid Gardener
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- Scarry looking morning!
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:38:46 -0700 (PDT)
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Here's picture from this
morning. Didn't have time earlier to load it up onto my computer. Rather
scary looking clouds!
All is well here, not much
rain came out of these clouds. Hoping for more rain
tomorrow.
Cheers!
the Mermaid Gardener![Umbrella emoticon Umbrella emoticon](gifDiM0dsMrTS.gif)
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- No see um my Rum! Update!
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2011 06:00:41 -0700 (PDT)
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Good Morning It's starting out to be a bit cloudy, more wind today than in previous days with light sprinkles. Not bad but have to admit that I was more than willing to roll over in bed at 8am when it looked like night time here with clouds rolling over. Here's my update on those pesky no-see-um bites and the miracle drug Rum! Last night after I tried the remedy and having sampled the rum via a dark and stormy, I found that they were not itching quite so bad and frankly after the second application along with...for medicinal purposes only.....another dark and stormy...they really started to not bother me!! Even started to dance around the pool listening to rock and roll! Singing "Rum" praises! Sorry to say no pirate carried me off to his
dingy or pirate ship but did wave to a few folks coming into Hodges Creek! Today my problem is that I ran out of rum last night and those pesky bites are probably going to act up again later on this afternoon right around sunset!!! I think a rum run might be in order just for medicinal purposes only!! ![](http://mail.yimg.com/a/i/mesg/tsmileys2/04.gif) I've now found that I have a one eyed calico cat hanging around my house. I saw him last night. It's right eye is like a lazy sleepy eye. I can see the thing twitch, the lazy eye, or maybe that was the rum, but it's been hanging around looking for handouts!! Wish it would do some work around here for me like keep those roof rats away from my house. I know it's a feral cat so I don't want to get to close to it, just don't know what diseases and bugs the poor kitty is carrying around with him/or her! Need to figure out a name for this
one eyed calico cat. Maybe scurvy! Got to dash off and do my art thing today! Gee are those bites itching....uh oh!!! More later...... Cheers! the Mermaid Gardener
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- Rum relief on this holiday!
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- By The Mermaid Gardener <mermaidgardener at yahoo.com>
- Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:30:49 -0700 (PDT)
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Good
afternoon!!
Yep low and behold we have
another holiday. Today everything is closed except the gas stations and grocery
stores. I also believe that we are going to have a holiday on the day of the
big wedding!!!
A gentle reader has
recommended a very good soothing option for those pesky no-see-um bites that I
have......he suggested Rum....so let me run down to my kitchen and find the
chilled Pusser's rum and dap some on......I'll be right
back!
Okay I'm back from the
kitchen. Decided that I would definatly use Pusser's since I don't have any
Gosling Black Seal. I applied the near frozen rum liberally to my bites ahh the
chill of the cool rum on those bites seemed to work there not as itchy. You
know how it goes you lick your fingers after application and well a sundowner
pops into your head....well at least it did mine! So while I was there in the
kitchen made a very nice Dark and Stormy sundowner. Now I suspect that if run
down to Trellis Bay or Penn's landing I'm likely to have a pirate or two smell
my rather light scent of rum perfume and ask me if I'd like to take a dingy
ride!!! Arg!!!
I'll have to
see how this method of easing the bites goes I may end up singing pirates songs
later tonight after having applied it 5 times, of course it's for medicinal use
only......it's a miracle drug!!! I suspect I'll have to have another
Sundownnnerrrr!!! I might have to after each
application!! Oh boy!!!
Cheers and more Rum
Cheers!!
the less itchy
Mermaid Gardener....hey please pass that rum I have bites to attend
to!!!!
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