4 May 2004

News No 12:

More BVI

Hi Guys,

Only three more weeks left before we head home and I know they are going to fly by so this will probably be my last newsletter. The cruising of the islands has been a most incredible experience, some of the highlights being the snorkeling, swimming, dining out, and of course happy hourrrrs. These exotic locations have mostly lived up to expectations, and now that we are starting to redo some of the places, I'm often amazed at the details one misses on the first visit. So yes I know that we've been so incredibly spoilt to be able to have such a long and wonderfull holiday.

Last week we had been in the BVI for a full month, and the rules are that therafter you have to import the boat into the BVI pay the duty, or leave, as the Youngsters all have found the most incredible jobs, at the Last Resort Restaurant, in BVI's Trellis Bay -J Barman, Dom waitress and Kiernan watertaxi runner, ferrying guests to and from their boats. When not working there they are doing a little painting on the owners holiday home, so the guys are doing good. The working atmosphere is pretty casual and the staff get board and lodging at the restaurant.As a result we had a week to ourselves last week and went back to the US Virgin Island of St John, and anchored off Honeymoon Beach, it was a lovely week on our own, nice and relaxing - Just the two of us!

We're back in BVI this week and had dinner at - You guessed it - The Last Resort! It was wonderfull the food is excellent, the band fun, and of course the service excellent, with Dom our waitress, and Jeffrey mixing his mum the most delicious Pina Colada, and later a frozen Margarita! The Staff get booze at cost price so once the guests leave they carry on with their own party, so they seem to be paid to party wich is just what a gap year is supposed to be like, trust our little ones to get it right!

Charlie and Bev arrive on the boat from Houtbay Handiman tomorrow for 10 days so will be off on a quick recap of all the Islands, which sould be fun, and then it's almost time to head home. To tackle our renovations, and move into the barn while Matt and Vicky continue to rent our home. We have to pay for this holiday some how!

Anyway guys we're both, Barry and I quite looking forward to getting home and getting stuck into the property. See you there and you guys can then come and enjoy our photographs.

Today after the Youngsters left the boat, (they came and slept on board last night, to enjoy their own cabin each instead of the shared cramped quarters at the restaurant, and no doubt to catch up on all their emails which they have sorely missed while we were away. And of course to write back to all of their mates! I was mopping up with my trusty squeegie, after a little rain storm, just enough to wash off the salt and clean the boat, anway, I leaned over the guardrail to squeeze out one of my sarongs, just then a swell learched the boat forward, and yes you guessed it, overboard I fell, after briefly teetering on the endge, Barry got up to see what I was squeeling about, only to see my cute little behind disappearing over the guardrail - ceremoniously dumped into the drink - much to his delight and to my chargrin, and he's threatened to add it to my email if I don't, so there you have it!

Bev and Charlie arrive at 6-30 and we'll all be heading over to the Last Resort for a celebratory dinner, to welcome our last arrivals, and to say farewell to the Yongers for another week. Tomorrow we head up to Spannish Town to replenish stocks, and then on to The Baths, Bitter End - Virgin Gorder, and then Anegada which we haven't yet visited, so we're also all excited and rearing to go!

Much love to you all, see you back in SA. Keep up the emails, we love hearing from all of you too!

Cheers

From the Caribbean Cruisers!