Wednesday, July 1. 2009
Continuing our adventures around Anegada...
I think this blog entry is going to be big on pictures and small on written words. I have had a hot hot day, and I look like a tomato!
First some pictures from last night, after we anchored at the west end of Anegada...Nothing special, just looking around us at another gorgeous evening...
The start of sunset...
DInner time...
and an absolutely gorgeous sunset just on dark......
For the billion people who emailed me asking where SImeon is...well, here he is!
Bazza had something break on his generator today which meant we had no power of any kind... That quickly meant I was not making a lot of hot meals in the galley so I elected to take most of the guests and Brent and go look at the cottages sliding into the water up on the point... We saw Pelicans on the way up...
I love them sitting in the trees!
Yes, they are still slipping into the sea, here are the random pictures of them today in no order at all (remember, many pictures, little words!)
We elected Brent to anchor the dinghy out while we went walking...
And we walked...and walked...all the way up to Cow Wreck Beach as a matter of fact!
We found Brittlestars out of the water and put him back...
and walked some more...
Happiness was finding the bar!
I knew it was a long walk back so I elected to not stay long and start the trek back slowly...
Squalls and clouds were coming in a bit...
We could see more as we upped anchor, including all the HI HO windsurfers going back in to the channel...
We had a strange sight at noon, lunch totally upstairs, not buffet! That does not happen much anymore...
We pass our version of the projects on Scrub Island, saying that construction will be completed in 31 days but it does not look like construction will be completed in 31 days!
For entertainment I decided to feed the fish and birds while the guests went ashore at Marina Cay
Our guests enjoyed their stop at Marina Cay, walking around and having RUM
They climbed the hill and waled the grounds...
Too pictures of Promenade in the distance...
Then it was back to the boat and SImeon helped them catch up with their charts and where they have been this week...
Andy and Irma are a great couple, and so active and full of like for people in their mid 80's but they kind of look like goofy and goofette here!
We mad our way over to Monkey Point for overnight, and i have mostly spent the afternoon and evening trying to cool myself down. People who don't go in the sun much and who have Roseaca should not go walking on the beach for hours. I had bags of icecubes down my top (they were calling it my Victorias Secret Water Bra!) headbands of ice around my head and I could barely function!
First some pictures from last night, after we anchored at the west end of Anegada...Nothing special, just looking around us at another gorgeous evening...
The start of sunset...
DInner time...
and an absolutely gorgeous sunset just on dark......
For the billion people who emailed me asking where SImeon is...well, here he is!
Bazza had something break on his generator today which meant we had no power of any kind... That quickly meant I was not making a lot of hot meals in the galley so I elected to take most of the guests and Brent and go look at the cottages sliding into the water up on the point... We saw Pelicans on the way up...
I love them sitting in the trees!
Yes, they are still slipping into the sea, here are the random pictures of them today in no order at all (remember, many pictures, little words!)
We elected Brent to anchor the dinghy out while we went walking...
And we walked...and walked...all the way up to Cow Wreck Beach as a matter of fact!
We found Brittlestars out of the water and put him back...
and walked some more...
Happiness was finding the bar!
I knew it was a long walk back so I elected to not stay long and start the trek back slowly...
Squalls and clouds were coming in a bit...
We could see more as we upped anchor, including all the HI HO windsurfers going back in to the channel...
We had a strange sight at noon, lunch totally upstairs, not buffet! That does not happen much anymore...
We pass our version of the projects on Scrub Island, saying that construction will be completed in 31 days but it does not look like construction will be completed in 31 days!
For entertainment I decided to feed the fish and birds while the guests went ashore at Marina Cay
Our guests enjoyed their stop at Marina Cay, walking around and having RUM
They climbed the hill and waled the grounds...
Too pictures of Promenade in the distance...
Then it was back to the boat and SImeon helped them catch up with their charts and where they have been this week...
Andy and Irma are a great couple, and so active and full of like for people in their mid 80's but they kind of look like goofy and goofette here!
We mad our way over to Monkey Point for overnight, and i have mostly spent the afternoon and evening trying to cool myself down. People who don't go in the sun much and who have Roseaca should not go walking on the beach for hours. I had bags of icecubes down my top (they were calling it my Victorias Secret Water Bra!) headbands of ice around my head and I could barely function!
Sunday, June 28. 2009
Off we go again, to the Baths tonight sailing
Well this group mostly made it all the way over from Seattle Washington over a couple days and here they are arriving at our dock in the British Virgin Islands!
The first sit down...
Andy and his wife Irma were on Promenade probably 15 years ago and have now brought their children instead of their rowdy friends from the last time! 15 years ago was before we owned the boat.....
We had our "boat talk" while sailing up the channel to the Baths over cocktail hour...
Of course we had a laughing gull permanently on our engine, and we tried to feed him a cracker which he could not get to, the winds apparently were not right!
Brent did his towel demonstrations... and we anchored at the Baths right on sunset, so that gives us a perfect spot to explore the Baths in the morning.
8 guests this week! A piece of cake!!!
The first sit down...
Andy and his wife Irma were on Promenade probably 15 years ago and have now brought their children instead of their rowdy friends from the last time! 15 years ago was before we owned the boat.....
We had our "boat talk" while sailing up the channel to the Baths over cocktail hour...
Of course we had a laughing gull permanently on our engine, and we tried to feed him a cracker which he could not get to, the winds apparently were not right!
Brent did his towel demonstrations... and we anchored at the Baths right on sunset, so that gives us a perfect spot to explore the Baths in the morning.
8 guests this week! A piece of cake!!!
Saturday, June 27. 2009
Another charter put to bed...
CCT Internet has been down since Last night, I am huddling in the car stealing someone's connection to upload this!
What can I say? When Brent dresses up to go to Willy T's he really gets dressed up! Look pretty dapper there (Is that the word I am looking for? Perhaps not...)
Most went over to Willy T's for a drink, although there were not many hanging around. Not that our group needs any help to party!
We have these two birds that are obviously land birds that we think are or have made a nest up "somewhere" on our masts! They have been with us for about 5 days now. All the time. They make nice chirping noises! I don't know what kind they are, have to get a better picture!
We made our way up to Roadtown for a stop to get some diesel and then over to Salt Island to dive the Rhone. There were quite a few boats and it was a bit swelly with the wind from the southeast. We decided then to make our way over to Beef Bluff for the afternoon. Meredith and ALicia took the tourist picture...
We managed to get the gang together (under protest) to take a few pictures that Joann wanted of the group...
Everyone just lazed around and enjoyed their last afternoon on the boat. I had to go to town for a Tourist Board and BVISO (BVI SCUBA Organization) event, which of course I took pictures of and will put up next entry!
You all have been wonderful hosts. We love Promenade and its toys. I want to especially thank the boys for putting up with my "kids" Brent was a "hoot" during evening to morning drinking games. Simeon and I spent a lot of AM's together, since we were first up. Diving was great. Kerry your cooking was wonderful , now I have to lose an extra 15 lbs. Finally Baz, better luck fishing next charter! MICHAEL, ORLANDO
I'd like to thank you for the most relaxing , fun and adventurous vacation of my life. In one week, I saw the Caribbean for the first time, and ate more delicious food in a seven day period then ever before. I really appreciate brent's and Simeon's wake boarding teaching techniques. Brent was encouraging enough to stick with me until i got up and SImeon's blunt question (What the F*** was that? as opposed to Brent's encouraging manner!. Editorial note) had me up the next time. The trip was perfect and every member of the crew was great. DO Less. HUNTER
Thank you for a wonderful time. The food was great. The service was great. It was so much fun to be on the boat for the last week. Thanks for Everything, Jo ANN, ORLANDO,
What a wonderful adventure. Everything was amazing. This was such a relaxing time. I just wish it did not fly by so quickly. Thank you for everything, all of you do to make this vacation so perfect. Happy Sailing. KATIE
Thank you for such a great time! I loved the private locations we were able to see. The food, entertainment, drinking games, etc. will be in my memories forever. ALICIA, KISSIMMEE
Thank you for the experience, fishing, diving, snorkeling and the best dinghy safari ever! SAMMY, KISSIMMEE
Thank you all so much for such a wonderful vacation. I had such an amazing time. While I am going to try to forget some of Brent's drinking games, this was without a doubt one of our families most unforgettable vacations. Thanks again. MEREDITH
From the moment I kissed Brent's cheek, I knew that this trip would be special. Kerry, your breakfast burrito's were magical. Simeon, thanks for the scowls and early nights. I think I'll miss you the most. Have a safe trip wherever you may travel. Bazza, thanks for keeping Sammy busy fishing, Brent, I owe you a pirate challenge stop. BRYAN, BOSTON
On another note, the 3rd of July is Fishermans Day here, for those who are around and interested
What can I say? When Brent dresses up to go to Willy T's he really gets dressed up! Look pretty dapper there (Is that the word I am looking for? Perhaps not...)
Most went over to Willy T's for a drink, although there were not many hanging around. Not that our group needs any help to party!
We have these two birds that are obviously land birds that we think are or have made a nest up "somewhere" on our masts! They have been with us for about 5 days now. All the time. They make nice chirping noises! I don't know what kind they are, have to get a better picture!
We made our way up to Roadtown for a stop to get some diesel and then over to Salt Island to dive the Rhone. There were quite a few boats and it was a bit swelly with the wind from the southeast. We decided then to make our way over to Beef Bluff for the afternoon. Meredith and ALicia took the tourist picture...
We managed to get the gang together (under protest) to take a few pictures that Joann wanted of the group...
Everyone just lazed around and enjoyed their last afternoon on the boat. I had to go to town for a Tourist Board and BVISO (BVI SCUBA Organization) event, which of course I took pictures of and will put up next entry!
You all have been wonderful hosts. We love Promenade and its toys. I want to especially thank the boys for putting up with my "kids" Brent was a "hoot" during evening to morning drinking games. Simeon and I spent a lot of AM's together, since we were first up. Diving was great. Kerry your cooking was wonderful , now I have to lose an extra 15 lbs. Finally Baz, better luck fishing next charter! MICHAEL, ORLANDO
I'd like to thank you for the most relaxing , fun and adventurous vacation of my life. In one week, I saw the Caribbean for the first time, and ate more delicious food in a seven day period then ever before. I really appreciate brent's and Simeon's wake boarding teaching techniques. Brent was encouraging enough to stick with me until i got up and SImeon's blunt question (What the F*** was that? as opposed to Brent's encouraging manner!. Editorial note) had me up the next time. The trip was perfect and every member of the crew was great. DO Less. HUNTER
Thank you for a wonderful time. The food was great. The service was great. It was so much fun to be on the boat for the last week. Thanks for Everything, Jo ANN, ORLANDO,
What a wonderful adventure. Everything was amazing. This was such a relaxing time. I just wish it did not fly by so quickly. Thank you for everything, all of you do to make this vacation so perfect. Happy Sailing. KATIE
Thank you for such a great time! I loved the private locations we were able to see. The food, entertainment, drinking games, etc. will be in my memories forever. ALICIA, KISSIMMEE
Thank you for the experience, fishing, diving, snorkeling and the best dinghy safari ever! SAMMY, KISSIMMEE
Thank you all so much for such a wonderful vacation. I had such an amazing time. While I am going to try to forget some of Brent's drinking games, this was without a doubt one of our families most unforgettable vacations. Thanks again. MEREDITH
From the moment I kissed Brent's cheek, I knew that this trip would be special. Kerry, your breakfast burrito's were magical. Simeon, thanks for the scowls and early nights. I think I'll miss you the most. Have a safe trip wherever you may travel. Bazza, thanks for keeping Sammy busy fishing, Brent, I owe you a pirate challenge stop. BRYAN, BOSTON
On another note, the 3rd of July is Fishermans Day here, for those who are around and interested
Thursday, June 18. 2009
Treasure hunting on Ginger Island we go!
A day late and probably a dollar short again. I swear that they make these days shorter the older you get! Yesterday morning after a snorkel at Mountain Point we made our way down to Fallen Jerusaleum for a snorkel on the Vagabond. Of course the squall came through while we were sailing...
Our snorkelers, or should I call them "noodlers" and Simeon went to climb around the boat...
I had my camera underneath and Simeon did a free dive down so I could take a picture...
I was trying for a split shot here, none too successful...
A beautiful large Angelfish was hiding underneath the wreck...
This is a very pretty ship to photograph, lots of wide open sweeping spaces and clear water...
It is really getting a lot of fish life on it now, all these blocks make wonderful homes for the fish!
You can see the part under water here in the distance. I think it turned out to be a great wreck dive!
We continued on our way down to the back of Ginger Island then, Sherry asking questions left and right so she stayed the center of "attention"
Bazza took everyone to go beachcombing ashore, and Sherry was still the center of attention when she fell right out of the dinghy!
Bazza did a good job of Johny on the Spot with the camera anyways..
I told them we would have a contest for the most unusual piece of whatever found on the beach. I had visions of them picking up an item, holding it, Bazza taking a picture and the junk staying on the beach, but that is not quite what happened. They returned from the beach with tons of junk in tow... And some was quite unusual! We have an entire crab here (and it smelled as well!)
A welders Hat...
A hard hat...
Sharon with all kinds of treasures...
More treasures, or junk...There was something chinese with the statue of liberty on it, and many baby rattles and toys!
Anyways the prize for most unusual find went to Edie, for the welders hat, and she received a Promenade hat!
Some, well, some walked for a couple hours on the beach and felt the need for a nap!
The best find though was a message in a bottle by Sherry! This was thrown in in 2004 somewhere in the Atlantic by Barbdos...When we get a chance we will translate the message on here and email the people who threw it over board as they did leave their email address!
Our snorkelers, or should I call them "noodlers" and Simeon went to climb around the boat...
I had my camera underneath and Simeon did a free dive down so I could take a picture...
I was trying for a split shot here, none too successful...
A beautiful large Angelfish was hiding underneath the wreck...
This is a very pretty ship to photograph, lots of wide open sweeping spaces and clear water...
It is really getting a lot of fish life on it now, all these blocks make wonderful homes for the fish!
You can see the part under water here in the distance. I think it turned out to be a great wreck dive!
We continued on our way down to the back of Ginger Island then, Sherry asking questions left and right so she stayed the center of "attention"
Bazza took everyone to go beachcombing ashore, and Sherry was still the center of attention when she fell right out of the dinghy!
Bazza did a good job of Johny on the Spot with the camera anyways..
I told them we would have a contest for the most unusual piece of whatever found on the beach. I had visions of them picking up an item, holding it, Bazza taking a picture and the junk staying on the beach, but that is not quite what happened. They returned from the beach with tons of junk in tow... And some was quite unusual! We have an entire crab here (and it smelled as well!)
A welders Hat...
A hard hat...
Sharon with all kinds of treasures...
More treasures, or junk...There was something chinese with the statue of liberty on it, and many baby rattles and toys!
Anyways the prize for most unusual find went to Edie, for the welders hat, and she received a Promenade hat!
Some, well, some walked for a couple hours on the beach and felt the need for a nap!
The best find though was a message in a bottle by Sherry! This was thrown in in 2004 somewhere in the Atlantic by Barbdos...When we get a chance we will translate the message on here and email the people who threw it over board as they did leave their email address!
Wednesday, June 17. 2009
It is Pirate Day on the yacht!
Hey all! I am still here...Blogging was temporarily put off last night, for reasons I won't go into!
Yesterday was Pirate Day though, and everyone had nice little bags lined up by lunch hour and a parrot to go along with the palm tree as well!!
We had a tremendous squall come through yesterday afternoon, I hid downstairs but most of them were pretty brave, if looking a little wet!
Sherri wanted the route that we took around the islands drawn on her large bruise, and Simeon obliged....
They enjoyed the afternoon at the Baths and the scenery, and while they were ashore the mice played! Setting up cocktail hour for them...
Yes, the dreaded shot game (we asked and they all wanted to play!)
All our victims were lined up...
Sherry managed to get the first one given to her and what else would she get??? Natch!
I always want to call him Ray and or Gary, so I will say both! He found a not so nice one to start with...
Bazza surveying his choices...
Apparently he did not chose so well as what a face that is!
Deb had no problem, mostly liking anything she had..
And Edie was a good sport about it all!
Peppy looks like an old pirate, I think he suits the patch very well..
And poor Sharon. What can we say about poor Sharon...It does not look like she is enjoying it too much!
Her sister was beside her for moral sport and that about covers the help she gave!
I think this is everyone falling onto the floor laughing when poor Sharon rolled double sixes which means two shots...
Karen kissed her "all better"
and then looked with dismay at her choices left on the tray herself...
We took pictures with all the patches...
A face only a mother would love Bazza...
We had a truly beautiful sunset, but I think Mike wanted to sleep through it!
Karen managed to be first in line at dinner again tonight, we grilled some steaks...
And quite a few of us went swimming for an hour or so after dinner tonight at Mountain Point, we enjoyed it immensely! It was a good day...
You will have to wait for todays adventures...
Yesterday was Pirate Day though, and everyone had nice little bags lined up by lunch hour and a parrot to go along with the palm tree as well!!
We had a tremendous squall come through yesterday afternoon, I hid downstairs but most of them were pretty brave, if looking a little wet!
Sherri wanted the route that we took around the islands drawn on her large bruise, and Simeon obliged....
They enjoyed the afternoon at the Baths and the scenery, and while they were ashore the mice played! Setting up cocktail hour for them...
Yes, the dreaded shot game (we asked and they all wanted to play!)
All our victims were lined up...
Sherry managed to get the first one given to her and what else would she get??? Natch!
I always want to call him Ray and or Gary, so I will say both! He found a not so nice one to start with...
Bazza surveying his choices...
Apparently he did not chose so well as what a face that is!
Deb had no problem, mostly liking anything she had..
And Edie was a good sport about it all!
Peppy looks like an old pirate, I think he suits the patch very well..
And poor Sharon. What can we say about poor Sharon...It does not look like she is enjoying it too much!
Her sister was beside her for moral sport and that about covers the help she gave!
I think this is everyone falling onto the floor laughing when poor Sharon rolled double sixes which means two shots...
Karen kissed her "all better"
and then looked with dismay at her choices left on the tray herself...
We took pictures with all the patches...
A face only a mother would love Bazza...
We had a truly beautiful sunset, but I think Mike wanted to sleep through it!
Karen managed to be first in line at dinner again tonight, we grilled some steaks...
And quite a few of us went swimming for an hour or so after dinner tonight at Mountain Point, we enjoyed it immensely! It was a good day...
You will have to wait for todays adventures...
Sunday, June 14. 2009
a good day with guests and the fishlife..
I have the silly song by Toby Keith going through my head "What happens down in Mexico, staysssss in Mexicccoooo" and i cannot get it out! I even tried to drown it out with Jimmy Buffett tonight, which is usually a sure cure but no such luck! Truly, I am being quite good!
Bazza wanted a special note pinned up on the blog as well as Facebook for Brent. Quite unusual for Bazza to ask me for things on the blog! He even had me come take a picture...
Note to Brent: You are supposed to be back Wednesday night, and Bazza wants you to know that if you are NOT here, "Sexy Rexy" will be going for a long walk off a short table with some kind of noose around his neck! You have been warned!!
Some of our guests went for a walk on Sandy Spit this morning, and they were there awhile, which impressed me, as after all, it is not that big an island and it is hot and sandy! The rest of us watched from the boat... We went around to the other side of there to the dive site the "playground" for a snorkel, and me with my camera gear... It was nice...Really nice...
Although I have to remember to stop being so lazy, I have been using the 18-70 mm lens that came with the Nikon camera, as I don't have to think then, "do I want wide angle, or close up or what" sounds great, but it really is a lousy lens compared to my other ones and my pictures definitely show it. I should have gotten some really wonderful pictures with all the life down there but they ended up being so so...
School of Little Horse Eyed jacks...
Mike snorkeling...
Some really wonderful tarpon, bait fish and rock pictures...
Or at least would have been with a better lens!
My snorkelers...
A nice little Barracuda
I was so busy looking up I barely noticed what was in front of my nose, but here is an angelfish..
We went for a quasi sail (read controlled drift...) over to Cane Garden Bay for some leisure time then. SOMEHOW the lounge became untied (the boys said they did not do it, but I am not sure about that!) and Simeon went to the rescue...
Of course the girls have been thinking up emergencies for Simeon all week so maybe they did it themselves...although they do say it is like a dog chasing a car, they won't know what to do with it if they ever caught it!!!
We did another controlled drift down to great Thatch, where we had 6 pitchers of Banana Bailey Coladas, and killed 4 bottles of Liquor! Apparently they tasted ok...I had story hour mostly!
I thought Karen looked very alluring here, although it is possible she was just passed out!
Some, like Sharon, spent most of the day napping and then almost made the cardinal mistake of sleeping on the beer locker! We promptly reminded her of rule # 1!
Eye Candy, went for a shower, which brought all kinds of admiration, and then eye candy, who I think knows exactly what he is doing most of the time, stands up in his hatch to put on a shirt etc!!!! All our crew members have a role to fill....
I made the best bruschetta bread with my pasta tonight that i have made for a long time! Not sure what I did different, but it was great. Notice the palm tree the guests have made into a center piece...
Karen is always first into the buffet line (smart girl in my books!) and as you can tell she even gets dressed up with hats and all for dinner!
We are down at Great Thatch tonight, watching the squid etc in the water, all by ourselves happily... It has been a good day, but time for me to call it a night.
Bazza wanted a special note pinned up on the blog as well as Facebook for Brent. Quite unusual for Bazza to ask me for things on the blog! He even had me come take a picture...
Note to Brent: You are supposed to be back Wednesday night, and Bazza wants you to know that if you are NOT here, "Sexy Rexy" will be going for a long walk off a short table with some kind of noose around his neck! You have been warned!!
Some of our guests went for a walk on Sandy Spit this morning, and they were there awhile, which impressed me, as after all, it is not that big an island and it is hot and sandy! The rest of us watched from the boat... We went around to the other side of there to the dive site the "playground" for a snorkel, and me with my camera gear... It was nice...Really nice...
Although I have to remember to stop being so lazy, I have been using the 18-70 mm lens that came with the Nikon camera, as I don't have to think then, "do I want wide angle, or close up or what" sounds great, but it really is a lousy lens compared to my other ones and my pictures definitely show it. I should have gotten some really wonderful pictures with all the life down there but they ended up being so so...
School of Little Horse Eyed jacks...
Mike snorkeling...
Some really wonderful tarpon, bait fish and rock pictures...
Or at least would have been with a better lens!
My snorkelers...
A nice little Barracuda
I was so busy looking up I barely noticed what was in front of my nose, but here is an angelfish..
We went for a quasi sail (read controlled drift...) over to Cane Garden Bay for some leisure time then. SOMEHOW the lounge became untied (the boys said they did not do it, but I am not sure about that!) and Simeon went to the rescue...
Of course the girls have been thinking up emergencies for Simeon all week so maybe they did it themselves...although they do say it is like a dog chasing a car, they won't know what to do with it if they ever caught it!!!
We did another controlled drift down to great Thatch, where we had 6 pitchers of Banana Bailey Coladas, and killed 4 bottles of Liquor! Apparently they tasted ok...I had story hour mostly!
I thought Karen looked very alluring here, although it is possible she was just passed out!
Some, like Sharon, spent most of the day napping and then almost made the cardinal mistake of sleeping on the beer locker! We promptly reminded her of rule # 1!
Eye Candy, went for a shower, which brought all kinds of admiration, and then eye candy, who I think knows exactly what he is doing most of the time, stands up in his hatch to put on a shirt etc!!!! All our crew members have a role to fill....
I made the best bruschetta bread with my pasta tonight that i have made for a long time! Not sure what I did different, but it was great. Notice the palm tree the guests have made into a center piece...
Karen is always first into the buffet line (smart girl in my books!) and as you can tell she even gets dressed up with hats and all for dinner!
We are down at Great Thatch tonight, watching the squid etc in the water, all by ourselves happily... It has been a good day, but time for me to call it a night.
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