Da Caribbean News Ledda
Welcome, once again to another Caribbean update. I know this may be a little
long winded but there is so much stuff that has happened since the last letter.
It seems like a lifetime has passed since the last ledda, but unfortunately
this is the first opportunity to write since November, way back in 2004. No
rest for the wicked they say.
The chartering season is in full swing, and I must say that it is far more
comfortable this year than previous years due to the slight gaps I have blocked
off in between charters. There still doesn't give me a whole stack of free
time, but it does give me the opportunity to take it easy between each trip-
spend time with the family and ensure Lionheart is properly prepared for the
next trip. The more time I spend onboard Lionheart, the more she feels like
she is human living thing that benefits from a break from time to time.
Through the month of November we saw very little rain, unlike the year before
when we practically had a full month of rain. I think December has made up
for it, and January is totally out of whack with gusty winds up to 40 knots
and rain which is lasting days at a time. Many boats are returning to their
docks with damaged sails and broken rigging from gusty winds. To be a manager
in a large charter company right now would be a nightmare. Every day confronted
with problem after problem relating to boats which have simply been pushed
beyond their capabilities.
Most of you will probably realize that we have now changed clearing house
from Regency to Charter Port. I felt as though Regency was going through some
changes which will seal their fate for the future. We already have this year
booked out except for a couple of weeks here and there, and are now taking
bookings for 2006. We've even had inquiries for 2007, so the transition to
Charter port will have very little effect on us. If anything, the fact they
offer payment through credit cards at a cheap rate is enough for us to try
them out. We have just increased our rates significantly to try and balance
the supply and demand.
Christmas and New Years has come and gone but the ringing is still continuing
in my ears.
We had a fabulous Christmas together. I blocked the time off this year to
spend with the girls. Lucie is getting bigger and brighter everyday, so this
was certainly a day I didn't want to miss out on. We spent the entire morning
opening presents and checking out where Santa had been in the house. We even
noticed where the reindeer ate some of the plants outside (naughty reindeer)
and drank from the doggies bowl. In the evening, Sarah pulled out her wizardry
and produced a lovely Christmas meal for all our friends. I spread light sticks
all over the children and flung it all over the back yard and We shot each
other with crazy string which the kids especially enjoyed. Then like everyone
else in this world, sat and remarked on how we had eaten too much.
New Years was a completely different story. Yes I was back out on charter,
and yes I had some great people on board. The group chose to go over to Foxy,s
(third largest New Years Eve venue in the world) at Jost Van Dyke. We moored
the boat the day before at Little Harbour and waited. The winds were out of
control sending many boats running for cover leaving Foxy with hardly more
than the die hard couple of hundred people. During the whole of the evening,
I didn't see another person I knew. Sad really when I thought of all the places
I could have been, having a ball.
From all reports I heard that the place to be around these islands was Trellis
Bay. Aragon lit his ball of fire, there were bands on different areas of the
beach, and I believe that the fireworks were sensational. This is the second
year now that the Trellis community have gone all out for New Years. Everyone
on island has responded really well to Trellis, that much so that I wouldn't
be surprised if the venue will eventually take over Foxy's for it's popularity.
Certainly on the local front anyway.
This season the surf has really been producing the goods. So far this year
we have had at lease a half dozen swells producing great waves all over, but
my favourite still is Cane Garden Bay, Home, there's something about simply
walking to the best surf break on the island from your house that is appealing.
My new board is a great new inspiration to get these old bones moving.
I'm still discovering more dive sites and a couple more surf spots that work
in really strange conditions. Last month we had a couple of dives in the wreck
of the Rhone, whilst there we swam with a 500lb Jewfish. It seems he has taken
up residency on the wreck and the other fish are still trying to work him
out. Jacqueline the 6ft barracuda is steering a wide circle around him. The
other day I saw a yellow tail snapper about 6" long swim past his mouth
then suddenly disappear. Cool hey! Man's gotta count his fingers and toes
when you go diving these days.
A couple of new developments to the islands. Quito has finally finished his
bar/restaurant at Cane Garden and it looks great. With two levels he has far
surpassed anyone else in the village. He is still playing his great music
as it carries out over the water much louder than before. We still hear very
little from our house so it's great to have the choose to hear it or not.
He is doing a karaoke night once a week which we really don't want to hear.
In Anegada, Neptune's Treasure has put in some moorings in front of their
restaurant, which has definitely broken that area into two with the Hotel
at one end and Neptune's at the other. Anegada now has quite a substantial
store, which carries everything you could need, and more.
I visited Foxy's Taboo restaurant at Diamond Cay recently and was quite impressed.
The potential is far reaching and I think I will incorporate this little venue
into certain groups. It seams like the good combination is to anchor at Little
Jost and take the dinghy to the restaurant.
Believe me when I say that these muddle of words goes all over this planet,
no matter where you are or what your doing, I hope your amongst friends, that
your winters are warm and the summers cold.
Stay healthy, stay happy.
As for me, I'm still living da dream.
Mobbsie
