Da Caribbean News Ledda


May Day ----- May Day ----- May Day

Here we go into the month of May after a simply lovely April, which is always my favourite month, not only because it is the month of my birthday but because this is the change in season when the ocean water starts to warm up, the wind is consistent and all the fruits and flowers come out on the island. I noticed our avocado tree out the back is covered in fruit and the local mangoes are showing signs of a healthy season. This is also the month when all the laughing gulls come back from where ever they go, this is the time of year when all you hear is mine, mine, mine, mine (from the Disney movie Nemo).

Last year in April we experienced a lot of rain, however this year has been so dry that a great majority of people have had to truck water in to fill their cisterns. We have been lucky and have carefully managed the water situation by recycling bath water into washing water, and using dish water on our gardens. It's also a good excuse not to wash the car but I must say though, everything is still green.

The goats have finally gotten the upper hand. I watched the other day when I released my so called fearless dog into the pack of them in our garden and they just stood there while Shadow barked and ran circles around them. In fact one of the big billy goats started to run at shadow so now all I can do is build fences around the plants and just keep a good supply of throwing rocks handy by the back door. I really don't want to cause too many problems for the goatman next door in fear that he may throw poisoned bait over the fence for Shadow to pick up. The local people around here are renowned for doing stuff like that. The worse thing about the baiting is that it is legal to do so. Strange laws!

Lionheart hasn't been out since the 10th of April. It's been a nice rest for her although I know she would rather be moving than sitting on the dock. My next charter isn't until the 20th May, so this is giving me loads of quality time at home and a chance to catch up on all the maintenance that is needed. After the 20th Lionheart will virtually work through until end of season, so now is the time to do all the odd jobs on board. I took the family out on Lionheart for a week . They loved it even though each day had a certain element of work in it. It is amazing how much work you can get done with many hands.

During the family week out we managed to find another couple of beautiful little anchorages. There is obviously so much more to discover in these islands and I can't wait to check out more. It's great finding more places, because now it increases the options for shelter in various weather conditions in the islands. So now after finding more beaches and secret little coves, I'm wondering what lays beneath the surface of the water. I have heard of people finding wrecks and a multitude of ancient relics, so it's refreshing to know that this place is still far from been totally uncovered. Now the trick is to find all of this stuff and keep it protected so many others can enjoy the mystery and beauty of the past. There is so much in these islands that have not been documented due to piracy and slavery which makes it so much more exciting when you finally do find something and research it.

Little Lucie has turned into a little girl. She is starting to string words together which is as exciting as the first few steps she took. One of the best ones is Daddy's beer- all I need her to do now is teach her to get one from the fridge ,open it and bring it to daddy. She has taken to the water like a dog to a bone. Everyday either paddling in the shallows here at Cane Garden Bay or splashing around in the local pool. Lucie and Sarah have spent so much time in the pool lately that their hair is starting to turn green, much to the amusement of Lucie. Shadow is also getting in on the action, chasing coconuts into the water and swimming around Lucie in circles. These two sure have bonded, but we always knew they would.

During the last few days I have been helping a mate create a reef around Richard Branson's island, Necker Island. For those of you who don't know who Branson is, maybe you'll recognize some of his companies - Virgin Records, Virgin Airlines, Virgin Blue, etc., etc.,etc. Necker is an exclusive island rented out by the rich and famous at $32,000 a night. It is set up with an Indonesian concept. All the buildings are like losmens with Balinese statues surrounding them and little warungs are set up all over the island. Each day we go up there we have a chat with Richard. He seams like a down to earth sort of person, happy to get involved in the work himself. I like the guy- anyone that is that loaded with that much money and still gets involved in the dirty work with his workers is a cool guy in my book.

Mother's day has passed, next will be Sarah's birthday on the 14th and then Lucie's second birthday at the end of the month. So with all these presents I need to buy, I better get back to work to pay for it all.

I hope these words find you all happy and healthy in your part of the world.

Take care of one another.

Mobbsie