Paul’s and Ginnette’s visit March 17-20

We moved over to Soper’s Hole to pick up Paul and Ginette on St. Patrick’s Day.  Unfortunately, the breaker on the generator finally failed (diagnosed by Bob’s friend Rick).  Soper’s Hole Marina luckily could accommodate us, so we moved from a mooring ball into a slip just as Paul and Ginette came aboard.

 

Steve took a taxi to get to Roadtown for parts.  While replacing the breaker, he also found a broken wire on the terminal to the automatic voltage regulator.  Splicing the wire, replacing the breaker, and it looks like we are "a go!"  

 

Preparing to leave the slip around noon, Steve rushed to the aid of a boat.  A charter boat was attempting to leave its slip without sufficient power and, caught by the wind, threatened to rake the bow of the boat next to us.  The charter cruiser was definitely overwhelmed; his stanchion was wedged against the boat’s bow, toe rail squeaking against toe rail.  Dangerous as it was, Steve and two men used their feet to fend off the charter boat when the anchor and chain of the boat in the slip suddenly deployed.  Someone yelled “GUN IT!” to the cruiser.  Revving the engines, the charter boat lurched forward. One of the men on the boat in the slip lost his footing and hung precariously from the bow.  The boat in the slip sustained minor damage but, fortunately, no one was hurt.  What a way to start out a trip with guests aboard!

 

We spent our second and third nights at Diamond Cay, never having seen it so crowded!  Much to our surprise, after we settling in, Peter and Darcy (our old crew on the first SEAMAN’S ELIXIR) arrived aboard SEA LEOPARD!  Surprisingly, we saw them at the same place 2 years ago.  Although they had charter guests aboard, they came over briefly to chat.  It was so nice to check in with them. 

 

We had a splendid time with Paul and Ginette…lots of laughing and lots of wine  J Funny Story:  Ginette put on my apron (the kind the goes over the neck and ties behind the back).  She giggled saying, "I am your new French maid…tee hee…"  She proceeded to prance around, coquettishly wiggling her backside… French maid, indeed!  OOO!  LA! LA!

 

Another funny Ginette story:  We were talking about corrupt politicians, how even the most honorable sometimes disappoint with their decisions.  Ginette piped in, "Yes, even Obama is not lily white…" to which Steve and I almost split a gut laughing.  She looked at us perplexed, thought about what she had said…you could almost see a little cartoon balloon above her head saying "OMG" when she realized she had made a politically "incorrect" racial slur.  She laughed again, adding, "Oh, I made a joke, yes?"  Needless-to-say, we had a blast with them!

 

After dropping Paul and Ginette off at Nanny Cay, we met Longmont friends Greg and Linda, KINNICNICK, at Roadtown for a brainstorming session.   They have had a boat in the BVI for 20 years and hope to start cruising the leewards and windwards next season.

Bounty of the Sea March 16

 

The night before we picked up Paul and Ginette, we had a fabulous dinner aboard our boat with Bob and Lynn (LEAP OF FAITH) and their guests Lisa and Rick.  Bob made sushi from a tuna he caught on the way into Maho.  Lynn made conch fritters from the two conchs Bob snared the same day.  I made a lettuce/pears/walnuts/blue cheese dressing salad and we grilled two huge lobster tails harvested from 6-pound lobsters John, Bob and Steve caught at a place which shall go un-named…only because we do not want to give away our favorite spots   🙂  We had home-made vanilla and coconut ice cream for dessert.  (I knew my Italian ice cream maker would come in handy…)  It was, without a doubt, one of the best "pot luck" dinners yet. 

A New Passion March 14-15

Scuba 3-14 and 3/15

A tad of excitement, I went for my first shallow water practice dive with Steve in Hansen Bay…30 minutes…AND I SURVIVED!  I swam with a turtle, up close and personal for several minutes, entertained by a Remora swimming with the turtle, right under its tummy. 

 

My second shallow water dive was 30 minutes the following day in Maho Bay.  I practiced some skills, cleared my ears and mask easily.   The highlights of the dive were swimming with a ray, finding a dozen large conchs and playing with a spotted trunkfish that seemed to enjoy peering through my mask to figure out what I was.

 

This was as much fun as I hoped and I must say, very cool! 

Birthday Week March 3-10

How much fun can someone pack into a birthday week?  A lot, judging everything we did this week. There were snorkels, a birthday dinner and dancing ashore at Pirate’s Bight, dinners aboard SEAMAN’S ELIXIR, MER SOLIEL, SOJOURN, happy hours aboard SEAMAN’S ELIXIR and SILOUHETTE, Sequence tournaments aboard SEAMAN’S ELIXIR and SOJOURN.  We even managed to fit in a lunchtime visit with old friends Paul and Ginette, SOL MAGIQUE, at Soper’s Hole.

 

The few pounds I had lost have returned and brought “friends”…no wonder, as every activity during the last week involved eating and drinking. 

Trellis Bay Full Moon Party, BVI February 28

Trellis Bay reminds me of the hippie enclaves of the 1960’s and 1970’s.  A bohemian mix of artist, galleries and eateries strewn across a sandy beach randomly decorated with creative touches such as sculptures, folk art and a Caribbean style children’s playground.

 

Last night, Kenny and Kathy joined us at the Full Moon Party.  (Seems we just can’t get enough of Kenny and Kathy…)  I am unsure about the origins of the Full Moon Party.  Although it seems an ancient pagan rite celebrating a lunar Goddess, I suspect it is merely an excuse for a good party.

 

Kathy thought it would be a rowdy crowd of young people partaking of locally grown “herbs”.  (There was one token local, a Rastafarian, smoking a token joint, which added "authenticity" to the pagan burning of the fire pits.)  In reality, a mix of members of the geriatric community and charter boat cruisers made up the crowd, all looking to party hardy.  🙂 

Whirlwind Trip to the States February 10-24

Miami Boat Show and Denver, CO

 

We met Kenny and Kathy in Miami for a 2-day shopping spree at the Miami Boat Show.  Sadly, the boat show was a mere shadow of its former self, size shrunk in reflection of the poor economy.  It was also the first boat show we had experienced where there were short sales of pre-owned and foreclosed yachts.  What a shame.

 

An ANTARES was there, represented by Jeff, Rob and Salwah.  It was nice to meet Jeff, as well as catch up with Rob and Salwah…such true believers in the “Old PDQ” they since became part of the new “Live Antares”.   Sales seem to be going well and the first Antares built at the new site in Buenos Aries should launch this spring.  

 

As always, we had a great time with Kenny and Kathy.  Kathy is a shopping wizard, spotting so many little nick-knacks and treasures I had to make a repeat run through the vendors.  Thanks. Kath.

 

The next stop was Denver, and an introduction to snow.  BRRR, so cold, Steve reluctantly bought close-toed shoes  J   Always a treat to see our kids, the social highlight was a Billy Joel/Elton John concert, combination Christmas/birthday presents, courtesy of Katie and Ryan.  Perhaps the best news, however, were clean bills of health from all Doctors.  Hoorah! 

Tate’s Proposal to Katee – January 14/17, 2010

January 14-17, 2010

Secret Harbor, St. Thomas to St. John

 

For days before their arrival, Tate (our nephew) and I had been corresponding, coordinating the itinerary and planning a romantic beach picnic for his “surprise” proposal to Katee.  Things began as planned when we picked them up at the Blue Moon Café at Secret Harbor, St. Thomas.  That night we stayed at anchor in Secret Harbor and enjoyed a lovely dinner at Blue Moon, leaving for Francis Bay the next morning.

 

Originally, we planned for Tate and Katee to take a pit stop on our way to Francis Bay for the snorkel, picnic and proposal.  The destination was either Cinnamon Bay or Henley Cay, depending on the severity of the north swell.  North swell became of little concern to us, as the first day ended up being too rainy for a romantic picnic.  On to plan B…

 

It rained most of the time they were with us.  Fortunately, there was enough of a break in the weather for the BIG surprise.  They began with a snorkel around Cinnamon Bay as Steve and I anxiously kept an eye on the grey sky.  Sure enough, once they made it to shore, the drizzle began again.  Looking much like drenched kittens, they hunkered down, apparently debating whether they should swim back to the boat.

 

Fast thinking Steve suggested we dinghy the picnic to them and we set about to quickly pack the lunch into dry bags.  Though not our usual beach fare, the picnic included some gourmet treats: Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne; pate with artisan flat bread; proscuitto wrapped pear drizzled with Cointreau; goat cheese encased in fig jam/chopped walnuts; grapes; olives marinated in Herbs de Provence/Chardonnay.  

 

Earlier, Tate tucked the engagement ring under the champagne bottle in the carrying case.  Before leaving for the beach, I tucked in champagne flutes and two silver plated pate knives (a seahorse and a turtle motive) which they could take home as mementos. 

 

The picnic ensued and I waited aboard for the preplanned signal (stroll along the beach) indicating the proposal was imminent.  I took several covert pictures from the boat, hoping to catch the proposal for posterity.  When Tate threw his arms into the air, we knew Katee had accepted.

 

That evening, I surprised them both with steak poivrade, lobster, mashed potatoes, roast asparagus and mango panna cotta for their after proposal dinner.  John (SOJOURN) even came aboard to celebrate, hinting with a wink that if the wedding is local he will be sure to attend. 

 

It was such an honor to be a part of their special moment.  Young love, what an inspiration.

 

January 8, 2010

January 8, 2010  FRANCIS BAY

 

Repairs under control…free at last to head back to St. John. 

 

We had no sooner picked up our mooring ball when John (SOJOURN) appeared, ready for an afternoon of SEQUENCE, homemade jalapeno bean dip/Fritos, LLB/rum (Presidente, in Steve’s case) and Tony Bennett appropriately singing “Playing with My Friends”.   Pleased to be the overall winner, John is “a pig in pooh” (his favorite saying).

 

John will return to pick us up for Friday night Prime Rib at Maho Eco Resort.  So much fun  J

January 5-7, 2010 St. Thomas

January 5-7, 2010 St. Thomas

 

Another decade, another boat issue(s)…

 

The eyebrow around the port side of the salon roof came unglued.  Steve cleaned off the failed adhesive with lots of scraping and elbow grease!  He finished sanding and prepping the surface, applied new adhesive after which we re-installed the eyebrow, diesel fuel cans holding it in place until the adhesive set up.  The finish caulking was a two-person job, working quickly to fill the 15-foot seam. 

 

The last two days the kids were with us, the freezer went on the fritz.  Apparently, there was a blown fuse, which Steve replaced, but in addition, he also replaced the water pump that cools the compressor.  Both hot water tanks no longer work, one is even cracked. Neither tank repairable, two new tanks are in transit.  (Of course the tanks are not locally available…they are Italian made.)

 

Things seem to happen in threes.  Let us hope we have our repairs out of the way for a time.

 

Funny Story:  Yesterday I went to a local dentist to have a crown re-cemented.  His office is on the second story of a historic building in Charlotte Amalie.  Approaching the front door, a woman, still wearing her dental “bib” around her neck, rushed out of the building surprising Steve and I, nearly knocking us down. Within seconds, another woman, we assumed to be the dental assistant, appeared, chasing after her. 

 

Steve and I stopped dead in our tracks as they passed, looked at each other questioningly.  Steve called after them, "Should we reconsider going to this dentist?"  The dental assistant looked at us, at first not understanding why we would ask such a thing.  Her "EUREKA!" moment came when she realized they appeared to be fleeing the office.  Laughing, Francis, the dental assistant

explained her sister (fleeing woman #1) had parked illegally and they were hurrying to secure a parking space that had just opened.  She added with a wink that it was safe to go to the dentist  J  Sort of a National-Lampoon-Goes-To-The Dentist moment, don’t you agree?

 

Romantic Story:  January 7 is our wedding anniversary.  This year is our 33^rd.

As we typically do not give each other gifts, I asked Steve whether we were exchanging gifts for our anniversary – he said no.  (Unbeknownst to me, he WAS giving ME a gift but, as usual, I was not giving him one, so felt justified in saying “no” when I used the term "exchange"…)

 

He gave me a Spanish coin, dated 1536-1555, retrieved from the treasure of a shipwreck and crafted into a piece of jewelry.  He also wrote me a lovely letter about how this coin will serve as a memento of our time together in the Caribbean, adding I am his “greatest treasure”. 

 

Go ahead and be envious, Ladies around the world.  He is mine, and he is definitely “a keeper”.  J

Katie and Ryan visit December 28-January 4, 2010

December 28-January 4

 

Katie and Ryan joined us after Christmas.  After picking them up in Charlotte Amalie, we headed directly to St. John so we have as much time as possible to check off items on their bucket list.  (Two big successes – Ryan caught his first fish…EVER!  Both he and Katie saw sharks. Although we saw turtles, we never got into the water fast enough to swim with them.) 

 

Amanda and Kevin (SOLSTICE) were also in St. John.  The six of us went out for New Year’s Eve.  We shared a nice dinner at Shipwreck in Coral Bay followed by music at Island Blues Jazz Club.  Amazingly, surprise, surprise, we actually made it to midnight.

 

Scary story:  While the kids were with us for New Year’s,  I had a close-encounter-of-the-surge-meets-rock-kind… while snorkeling I went into some crevices along the shore to photograph coral with my new mask (it has an integrated digital camera).  As I rounded the point separating Europa and Little Lameshur Bays, the surge increased and threw me into the rocks…another surge and I was ON the rocks (picture a beached whale).  With each successive surge, I tried to orient myself by grabbing onto whatever was handy until I faced the incoming waves and could swim off the rocks.  Overall, it was pretty darned exciting, if you ask me! 

 

Luckily, I was wearing a second skin shirt, and that, along with a well-lined swimming suit kept me from sustaining too many cuts.  (Both my shirt and swimsuit now feature holes.)  My abs were bruised, left breast, hand and leg got a few minor nicks along with some minor coral and urchin burns.  I did wrench my neck, but it could have been a lot worse!  I felt darn lucky.

 

However, now that I know I do not panic in such situations, I am considering becoming a Navy Seal  J